Virtual Interview Best Practices

A recruiter said I rambled too much in my interviews. I didn't like it but I appreciated the honesty. How this negatively affects interviews: → Can make you seem unfocused → You might miss the main point → Long-winded answers can bore the interviewer and cause them to disengage 7 strategies I used to cut down the rambling: (and get straight to the point) 1. Cheat Sheets Keep notes handy to jog my memory on certain stories, especially for common interview questions. 2. STAR Storytelling Organize answers using STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to ensure clarity and relevance. 3. Adopt the 'Rule of Three' Limit my points to three when responding. Our brains typically grasp three items most effectively. Example: "Three pivotal experiences that shaped my professional journey were X, Y, and Z..." 4. Embrace the Pause Allow moments of silence between my thoughts, understanding it's OK not to fill every second with words. 5. Minute Mastery Ensure my answers are between 60-90 seconds to stay concise and relevant. 6. Regular Practice Practice by recording myself (I recommend video to see your body language, hand gestures, etc.) 7. Pre-Plan Key Messages Before any interview, I'd identify core attributes or experiences I want the interviewer to remember. Example: For a marketing role, I'd prepare my talk track for 1) Campaign management 2) ROI-driven strategies 3) Cross-channel integration — Once you start doing these, your interview game will change for the better. And remember a detailed answer isn't bad, but it's important to ensure it doesn't become a rambling habit. ♻ Repost to help someone on their next interview And follow me for more posts like this.

How do you prepare for the unexpected? These are my 8 best tips: The best communicators don’t just survive. They thrive under pressure. They’re not just resilient; they’re antifragile. What does that mean? They grow stronger with every challenge, critique, or unexpected curveball. That’s crucial because there is no such thing as a perfect talk, conversation, or presentation: → You get a nasty question → The tech doesn’t work → You are sleep-deprived → The audience looks at their phones and ignores you. What do you do? Training hundreds of CEOs, I always made sure they can excel in any situation, not just when the conditions are perfect. Because they never are. Here are 8 ways to become an antifragile communicator: 1️⃣ Embrace feedback as fuel: Every critique is an opportunity. Seek it out. It’s where growth begins. 2️⃣ Expect things to go wrong: No plan survives contact with the audience. Build mental flexibility. 3️⃣ Remember, don’t memorize: A rehearsed script lacks soul. Create an outline and remember key messages, opening & ending. 4️⃣ Be ready to speak without aids: Tech can fail. Train to deliver without mic, slides or notes. (It’s easy once you understand structures) 5️⃣ Prepare for tough questions: Every question, objection, and interruption is a chance to shine. 6️⃣ Strengthen your core message: Clarity is power. When you know your purpose and message inside out, you can handle anything thrown at you. 7️⃣ Learn bridging: The answer-bridge-communicate (ABC) method allows you to bring everything back to your message. 8️⃣ Speak from peak states: Harness your optimal emotional, mental, or physical state to make your communication more impactful, authentic, and engaging. The best communicators adapt to the moment. What’s your best tip to prepare for the unexpected? ♻️ Please share with your network & follow Oliver Aust for daily tips on leadership communication.

Your next dream job might be won in a tiny rectangle. Because the majority of interviews today are virtual, your setup is doing first impressions before you say a word. This topic gets posted a lot, so here are the non obvious, high impact fixes that actually change how you’re perceived on camera. 5 setup moves that make you look sharper instantly 1. Put the lens at eye level (and slightly above). If the camera is low, you look smaller and less confident. Quick fix: stack 2 to 3 books under your laptop and tilt the screen slightly down. 2. Create “catchlight” in your eyes. That small reflection makes you look more alert, warm, and engaged. Quick fix: face a window, or place a lamp/ring light behind your webcam at forehead height. 3. Use a clean, intentional frame. Most people sit too close (giant face) or too far (tiny head). Quick fix: head + upper chest in frame, small space above your head, about an arm’s length away. 4. Fix exposure and color so you don’t look washed out. Auto settings can make skin tones look grey, especially under indoor lighting. Quick fix: make your face the brightest thing on screen. If you can, lock exposure/white balance. 5. Prioritize audio like it’s a second resume. People forgive average video faster than echo or muffled sound. Quick fix: wired earbuds or any simple mic, plus curtains/rug to reduce echo. What’s the number one on-camera mistake you still see in virtual interviews? #virtualinterviews #jobsearchadvice #SaaSSales

Hospitals are supposed to heal the sick. So, how do we explain the thousands of Americans harmed in hospitals every year when patients are given the wrong medication? This isn’t an issue of malice or incompetence. Rather, this problem is frequently caused by interruptions. Studies found nurses experienced 5-10 interruptions each time they dispensed medication. These distractions led to errors, costing lives and billions in extra medical expenses. But it's not just healthcare facing this problem. In every workplace, interruptions chip away at our focus and productivity. They're the silent killer of quality work. So, how can we protect our focus time? At one hospital, nurses started wearing bright vests during medication rounds, signaling "Do not disturb." The result? A 47% drop in errors. While I'm not advocating for work vests, we can all benefit from clear "do not disturb" signals. Whether it's a simple sign on your monitor, a concentration crown, or scheduled focus time on your calendar, find what works for you. For more insights into building an Indistractable workplace, subscribe to my free newsletter (link in bio)!

You're mid-sentence in a meeting. Someone cuts you off. Again. You smile, stay quiet, and lose your voice. If you accept interruptions, you train others to ignore you. I've been in thousands of meetings over my career. Led teams. Presented to executives. Eventually became Director of Software Engineering. One pattern I’ve seen? People who get heard set boundaries. 7 (proven) ways to stop people from interrupting you: 1/ Ask to continue When someone jumps in: pause, make eye contact. “If it’s alright, I’d like to finish my thought first.” Clear. Polite. Assertive. 2/ Acknowledge, then steer back Let them finish. Then: “Thanks—let me quickly finish what I was saying.” Respectful but firm. 3/ Set expectations upfront Start strong: “Feel free to note questions—we’ll tackle them during Q&A.” You set the rules. 4/ Keep it short The longer you talk, the more chances to be cut off. Be direct. Be organized. Be done. 5/ Use the right tools In Zoom? Use the ‘raise hand’ feature to stay organized. Chat for sidebar questions. 6/ Let your body do the talking Eye contact. Small hand raise. Keep talking. They’ll get the message. Confident body language stops interruptions before they start. 7/ Provide feedback privately Most interrupters don’t even realize. After the meeting: "During the meeting, I felt I was being cut off a few times. I'd appreciate the chance to finish my points next time." Direct. Respectful. Problem solved. These work. I’ve used every one. Your voice matters. So do your ideas. Don’t let interruptions steal that. 👉 Which tactic will you try today? PS: Someone getting interrupted? Step in. “Let’s hear the rest of what Sarah was saying.” That’s leadership.

If your hands are shaking and your voice feels stuck in your throat before an interview, this is for you: So, most people think the anxiety hits during the interview But if you’ve ever sat outside the interview room Palms sweaty, heart racing, replaying every possible question, You know the real storm comes before it even begins. Here’s the simple ritual I’ve taught over 500+ clients. And it helps 90% of them feel calmer, sharper, and more ready within just 10 minutes. It goes like this: → Breathe in for 4, Hold for 4, Breathe out for 6 Do this 5 times It signals to your brain: ‘You’re safe’ → Read your prep, but not to memorize Read to remind yourself of who you are and what you’ve done. Trust that the knowledge is already within you. → Say this out loud (yes, actually say it): ‘I’ve done the work. I’m here to share, not impress. Let’s go. These 3 things change everything. Because you’re not trying to perform anymore. You’re just showing up, prepared, grounded, and present. P.S. What’s one thing you do to calm your nerves before an interview? I’d love to hear. #InterviewTips #PerformanceAnxiety #SoftSkillsCoach #CareerCoaching #AnxietyManagement #InterviewConfidence #JobSearchSupport

I often interview strong candidates who hurt their chances because of small habits that are working against them. It could be a mix of nerves, pressure, or wanting to give the “perfect” answer - and I understand. I’m forgiving with these things and can see past them. But not all interviewers are. Many go through tens of interviews a day and can get exhausted quickly. Here are a few ways to stay in control of what you share in interviews: 1. Keep your answers short before going into detail - Start with the direct answer, then one example. - Pause and let the interviewer respond before you continue. 2. Take pauses! and allow the interviewer to guide you Many candidates speak nonstop because they’re trying to cover everything. Pausing gives you control, and allows them to ask what they need to know from you. It also keeps them engaged. 3. Share the outcome first - When you give an example, start with what changed because of your work/ impact. - Context can come after (if necessary) 4. Avoid long backstories - If you start too far from the point, you’ll forget the question and lose the interviewer. Stick to what’s relevant. 5. Ask real questions at the end Have at least 3-5 prepared, and add 1–2 based on the conversation. Please do not skip this part. - This shows how you think and what matters to you. - Ask about expectations, decision-making, and how the team works. A good reminder is that interviews are never about giving a perfect monologue. They are about clarity, being present & personable, thinking critically, and sharing your experience in a way the interviewer can actually follow. Good luck! --- #hiring #hr #interviewing #people

A Business Analyst failed 3 final-round interviews with executives. Only reason? Anxiety made him jump into answers before the question was finished. In our coaching, we unpacked the pattern. Early rounds were smooth. No issues. But as soon as he sat in front of executives, everything changed. Instead of asking why he felt anxious, he spent hours on ChatGPT scripts. The result? -> Oversharing -> Rushed delivery -> That sense of being trapped in his own head. What we found was deeper: 🔹 Before migrating to Australia, he never had trouble at this stage. 🔹 Here, the fear of failing again made him feel he had to appear 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵. 🔹 His body gave in to old stress patterns.  - Shaking, tightness in the throat, racing thoughts. I invited him to try 3 small shifts:  ��. 𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀  → “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯” gives 2–3 seconds to breathe and think. 𝟮. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  → Touch the table, notice your fingertips.  Anchor awareness to the present when the mind chatters. 𝟯.𝟭𝟬-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  → Calm the body first. The nervous system regulates, and the mind follows. (see comments for a YouTube link). The shift was immediate. He told me he felt alive in the conversations. His answers became natural. Most importantly, he enjoyed the interviews. Here’s the truth: It’s not always about preparing the “perfect” answer. Sometimes, the solution isn’t outside of you. It begins with how you relate to your body and mind in the moment! #jobsearch #interviewtips #interviewcoaching #emotionalawareness #mindset ----------------------------------------------------- 🔸P.S. I’m planning a 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 with a somatic practitioner. Comment “present” If you’d like to join the waitlist. (Only be open to a small, selected group)

If you struggle to keep conversations going during networking, this tip will increase your response rate. Talk about people’s passions. Why? After getting more than 17,000 followers and networking with hundreds of job searchers, I can confidently say that: People love talking about what excites them. It’s an easy way to build rapport. Here’s how I’ve helped 50+ data professionals leverage this strategy to increase response rates and build meaningful relationships: 1️⃣ Do some research. Look at their LinkedIn or portfolio. Find something impressive. 2️⃣ Start with flattery and curiosity. Example: “Hey [Name], I noticed you [accomplishment/project]. That’s incredible! What’s the part you enjoy most about it?” 3️⃣ Follow their passion. Ask questions to show genuine interest. Let the conversation flow naturally. 4️⃣ Find common ground. When they mention something you relate to, dig deeper. Build the connection. 5️⃣ Tie it back to your goal. Shift the conversation to their role or company. Example: “Oh, does your team work on X?” “How does your company approach Y?” For instance, let’s say their passion is travel. You: “That’s awesome! Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been?” Them: “I loved Thailand!” You: “That’s on my list! Did you manage to work remotely while there?” From there, the conversation naturally moves toward their job. Pro Tip: Not everyone will engage, and that’s okay. You don't have to be "perfect" to start networking. Yes, you will still get rejected, that’s part of the game. But you'll get better after multiple iterations. Focus on connecting with the right people. Try this next time you’re stuck in a conversation and let me know how it went.