Whether at the office or at home, scholarship interviews proceed apace. And in the current situation, it’s no surprise if your interviewers may want to meet you virtually rather than in reality.

Also, more and more organisations have taken to having the first round of interviews by phone, to weed out prospective candidates from an oversaturated playing field. It goes without saying that you’ll want to make the best impression possible no matter the form of interview.

You can review the essential interview prep here, but we’ve also rounded up some tips specific to phone or video interviews.

1.     DO test your equipment

Unlike a face-to-face interview, you’ll be meeting your interviewer through the many apps and protocols that form your connection. Therefore, it’s vital that you check that your equipment and software is sound.

Don’t fall prey to the “it worked the last five times, surely it’ll work now” fallacy. As most of Singapore is now working from home, internet service providers and the hardware that support them are being taxed like never before. (Refer to Starhub’s recent disruption.) Glitches and errors are possible or even to be expected.

Use a checker like Online Mic Test to make sure you can listen and be heard. For a video interview, be sure to check how you appear in your camera screen, and place your laptop/phone in a stable position (don’t balance it on your lap or hold it upright, invest in a desk or stand). Also, make sure to test your equipment on the platform you’ll be using – just because you can take a Skype call doesn’t mean everything will be fine on Google Hangouts.

2.     DO prepare your portfolio

Just like a job interview, you will probably be required to present your portfolio during your scholarship interview. Hence, make sure your results slips, CV, testimonials and sample work is with you.

For the video interview, you should save a list of links to a resume or portfolio ready to copy and paste if required. Some interviewees prepare a browser window with all the necessary samples and documents loaded up beforehand, so that they can switch to the relevant screen anytime.

Even during a phone interview where the interviewer won’t be viewing your work, having it out in front of you will help you stay focused and even jog your memory about important points.

3.     DO prepare your interview space

Background noise must be eliminated as much as possible. Neither you nor your interviewer will appreciate having to talk over your sibling binging Netflix or mother’s cooking prep. Let your family know that you have an important call or online meeting so that you can be left alone.

It also goes without saying that your background should be professional for a video interview – no piles of laundry or messy beds in the shot when you are giving your interview. Frame yourself in the good lightings with clean surroundings in order to convey an image of calm, order and professionalism.

Don’t neglect the digital interview space, either! Screen sharing is common practice during video interviews, and an interviewer may ask to see your screen very suddenly. Close unnecessary tabs and windows beforehand, have a generic wallpaper, and make sure you don’t have any other chat windows open. Many an interview has been derailed when the interviewer sees a candidate asking his friends, real-time, for suitable answers.

4.     DON’T underdress

Dress properly for the video interview as you would for a face-to-face one. For scholarship interviews, business professional is always the dressing style of choice. Choose solid, neutral colours and make sure your presentation is neat. Dressing up professionally will help set your “mood” for the interview. You will feel more professional and confident, and hence deliver a more professional and confident interview.

We can’t emphasise this enough – don’t half-dress! Every video interviewer has a story about a well-dressed candidate who stood up to deliver a presentation or fetch a document, only to show the interview panel their eclectic choice of lounge pants.

5.     DON’T be distracted

Your scholarship interview is an important business meeting between yourself and the interviewers. Make sure there are no disruptions or interruptions, be they external or internal. Let everyone know when your interview will be taking place and for how long, and make sure they know not to interrupt you during that time.

It’s important to not let yourself get distracted as well. Interrupting your own interview to answer the door, glance over an email, or message someone in a chat group makes you appear distracted and uninterested. We recommend turning off your phone and closing unrelated browser windows to focus better on the interview itself.

6.     DON’T forget to follow up

If you had your interview on Skype, it can be tempting to follow-up with a simple Skype message at the end of the interview. However, that lacks respect for the formalised process of a scholarship interview.

Stick to the traditional e-mailed thank-you note, not more than 24 hours after the interview. Like any other thank-you note, make sure to convey your feelings of gratefulness and enthusiasm for the scholarship, and try to reference an interesting point made during the interview itself.

Where across the room or on screen, a scholarship interview is a formal and serious process. Make sure you prepare for it accordingly, and present yourself well!

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