Interviewing for jobs in the medical sales industry can require a lot of time and preparation. In today’s world, conducting a job interview virtually is becoming more common than ever. Whether you are interviewing for a job across the country or just down the street, there are a number of things to consider when it comes to using video technology for an interview.

At Medical Sales College, we train our students to land an interview and impress the interviewer, gain confidence in presenting, and build a strong video resume. After 10 years of jumpstarting careers into the medical sales industry, we have put together helpful tips to conquer a video interview.

Test your technology

Just like an in person interview, preparation is very important. The last thing you want to do is miss your interview because of unforeseen technology problems. This is your first impression, make it count.

To prevent any technology issues, make sure to be ready to interview at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. This gives you time to check your internet connection, ensure you have enough battery life for the time being, test your microphone and camera, access the proper link(s), and ensure there are no issues with technology prior to your video interview.

Another important thing to keep in mind is to make sure your email address and/or username used to connect to the video interview is professional. This is a small detail that if not done correctly, can portray someone in a bad light from the very start. If possible, call a family member or friend as a test run. You want to make sure not only your technology and equipment is connecting properly, but that your first impression is also professional and an example of who you are.

Dress for success

Although this is a video conversation, remember that you are still interviewing for a job and your first impression is important. In the medical sales industry, professional attire is very important and can make or break the job opportunity if not handled correctly.

We suggest that you still get dressed up as if it’s an in-person interview. Doing so will ensure that if you ‘just so happen’ to stand up, you won’t be shocking your hiring manager with an unprofessional outfit from the waist down. On a serious note, it is also shown that dressing nice from head-to-toe helps with confidence as well. Try to avoid wearing bright or flashy colors, as these colors can look even brighter on screen and can be distracting.

Focus on eye contact and body language

It’s easier to get distracted and have your eyes wander when you’re doing a video interview. Make sure to maintain eye contact with the camera, not just looking at the person on the screen. Do your best to stay focused and engage in the conversation. One of the easiest ways to show you’re staying engaged is by nodding your head, using hand gestures and asking questions.

Your body language is just as important as your eye contact. Sit in a comfortable chair that does not move around. Try to stay as still as possible without fidgeting during the interview by sitting up straight and keeping both feet on the ground. By resting your arms on a desk or on your lap, you are limiting distractions for yourself and the hiring manager.

Communication

When it comes to speaking during video interviews, a few challenges may arise. You may repeat yourself multiple times, or accidentally speak over the interviewer. To prevent situations like this, speak slowly, annunciate and pause between sentences and/or statements.

By speaking slowly you allow for any lag to not interfere with what you are saying. Another way to ensure proper communication between you and the hiring manager is by annunciating words. This will allow for your main points to be clear and easily understandable. Most importantly, remember to pause. Pausing between statements will prevent speaking over each other and allow for you to think about your answer before replying. That short pause will help avoid having your words being cut off or not heard.

Now that you have the tools you need for success, get out there and ace your next virtual interview.