Virtual Interview Best Practices

I’ve bombed so many interviews because I thought memorizing answers would make me sound prepared. Turns out I sounded like a robot reading from a script (who knew?) Then one night, after getting yet another rejection email, I knew I needed to change my strategy. I started using ChatGPT not to write my answers, but to help me practice telling my own story. Today, these are my 10 go-to AI prompts to nail all of my interviews: 👉 1. Practice real mock interviews ↳ Get custom questions that actually match your target role, both technical and behavioral. 👉 2. Generate role-specific questions ↳ AI creates questions divided into technical, behavioral, and situational categories for YOUR specific job. 👉 3. Build STAR Stories that sound like you ↳ Structure your experiences using Situation, Task, Action, Result. Without sounding rehearsed. 👉 4. Turn your resume into stories ↳ Identify your key achievements and transform them into confident, results-driven narratives. 👉 5. Explain complex stuff simply ↳ Learn to break down technical concepts for both technical and non-technical interviewers. 👉 6. Get honest feedback on your answers ↳ AI evaluates your tone, clarity, and structure, then helps you sound more natural and confident. 👉 7. Master the HR and behavioral rounds ↳ Test your emotional intelligence and communication for those culture-fit conversations. 👉 8. Create your personal 7-day prep plan ↳ Build a daily routine with mock questions, review topics, and reflection exercises. 👉 9. Customize Answers for Each Company Align your responses with specific company values, mission, and role expectations. 👉 10. Nail "Tell Me About Yourself" ↳ Craft an intro that connects your journey, skills, and goals to the role, in under 2 minutes. Interview prep isn't about having perfect answers memorized. It's about knowing your story so well that you can tell it naturally, no matter how they ask the question. ChatGPT should be your practice partner, not your scriptwriter. Try these prompts before your next interview. You might surprise yourself with how prepared you actually are 👏 ♻️ Reshare this for someone prepping for interviews and follow me for more AI and career tips!

Here’s why you’ll never crack your dream remote job interview (until you stop doing this) You show up like a perfect candidate on paper... But sound like a pixelated version of yourself on camera. That’s the harsh truth. In remote interviews, it’s not your resume that gets judged first, it’s your energy through a screen. And most candidates lose that battle before it even begins. Here’s what 90% of people do wrong (and why they never make it past the virtual round): ✖️ They sound robotic because they over-rehearse their answers. ✖️ They don’t test their camera angle, lighting, or background thereby killing credibility instantly. ✖️ They forget that digital interviews demand digital presence not just verbal answers. Here’s exactly how you can fix these mistakes and crack your dream remote job: 1️⃣ Eye Contact ≠ Staring at Screen Look at the camera lens, not your face preview. It mimics natural eye contact and instantly builds connection and confidence. 2️⃣ Create a “Digital Setup Zone” Lighting facing your face. Camera at eye level. Neutral background. 3️⃣ Rehearse in Recording Mode Record your mock interviews. Watch for tone, filler words, and posture. You’ll see what recruiters see and fix it before they do. 4️⃣ Personalize Your Intros Start with: “I’ve been following [Company’s recent project/initiative], and I’m genuinely excited about…” Remote interviews miss small talk so add context to sound human, not scripted. 5️⃣ Master Asynchronous Communication Many remote hiring rounds use tools like HireVue or SparkHire. Practice delivering concise answers under 2 minutes — no one wants a 5-minute monologue on Wi-Fi lag. 6️⃣ Replace “Availability” With “Reliability” When asked about WFH challenges, don’t say, “I’m available full-time.” Say, “I maintain structured hours, daily updates, and async communication routines.” That’s how you sound hire-ready. ✅ Bonus: My secret remote-interview 3-step ritual → Pre-prep buffer: Log in 10 mins early. Check your link, camera, lighting, mic. → Story mapping: 3-key wins ready → what your remote team setting looked like → what you imagine delivering in this job. → Post-call note: Within 30 mins send a tailored thank-you. One sentence on what excited you + one sentence on how you’ll add value. It keeps you remembered. If this was helpful, repost this to help your friends land their dream WFH role too! #interviewtips #remotejobs #careergrowth #workfromhome #interviewcoach #dreamjob

Since 2020 and the onset of the pandemic, video call interviews have become a staple in the hiring process across industries. Despite this shift, many candidates still struggle to get their setup right. To make a great impression, it's crucial to get your background and screen position just right. Here are some tips to help you shine: 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽: 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: Opt for a clean, clutter-free space. A neutral wall or a tidy bookshelf works well. Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds. 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆: Natural light is best, but if that's not possible, use a lamp to illuminate your face. Avoid backlighting, which can cast shadows. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮: This creates a natural and engaging eye contact with the interviewer. Use a stack of books or a laptop stand to achieve the right height. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴: Ensure your head and shoulders are visible, with a bit of space above your head. This framing looks professional and keeps the focus on you. 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Inform household members of your interview time to avoid interruptions. Silence your phone and close unnecessary tabs on your computer. 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽: Do a trial run before the interview to check your audio, video, and internet connection. This helps you troubleshoot any issues in advance. Remember, a well-prepared setup can boost your confidence and leave a lasting impression. Good luck with your next video call interview! #JobInterview #VideoCall #ProfessionalTips #CareerAdvice

Too many sellers inadvertently lower their status in their attempts to "build rapport" with prospects.  Here's how you gain your prospect's RESPECT in the first 90 seconds of a call: First, let's look at how 90% of sellers try to build rapport: "𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮?" "𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴, 𝘩𝘶𝘩? 𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳!" "𝘏𝘰𝘸'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘈 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺?" ^Sports/Weather/Location based rapport isn't really rapport. It's schmoozing, and your prospect can see through that BS. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 '𝗲𝗺 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲, just like every other seller who talks about the exact same stuff! If you're OK being treated like a run of the mill salesperson, by all means continue to schmooze. For those of us who'd like different results, read on. --- The easiest way to build rapport is to show you respect your prospect's time + know something about their business. You can do this by following the 90 second rule: 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴/𝗗𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝟭.𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. Examples: 1. For health insurance, we might comment on a new location opening: "𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 3𝘳𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳?" ^New office = more employees who are going to need insurance. -- 2. For our Club Pass sales training program, we'll might comment on something we read on a job posting for an AE: "𝘋𝘢𝘯, 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘑𝘋 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘕𝘛 𝘈𝘌 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘏𝘰𝘸'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨?" ___ To be clear, there's nothing wrong with bonding over a shared love of the Buffalo Bills, but let that be the cherry on top to your demonstration of prep + respect for their time, not the only way you build rapport. 

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:  𝟭. 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)

Virtual interviews are now common, but they can feel overwhelming. A bit of preparation can make a big difference. 1. Test your tech early Check the link, sound, and camera a day or two in advance. Try a practice run with a friend to feel more confident using the platform. 2. Set up your space Choose a quiet, distraction-free spot. Use a neutral or blurred background if possible. Keep a glass of water, a notepad, or a small fidget item nearby to help you feel calm. 3. Use the virtual format to your advantage You can keep notes or cue cards with reminders of your strengths, STAR examples, or questions to ask. Adjust lighting or wear headphones to feel more at ease. 4. Ask for adjustments If certain changes will help you perform better—like getting questions in advance, extra processing time, or having your camera off—it’s okay to ask. You don’t need to share your diagnosis/label, just state what would help. Ask what is being expected; how long will it last; who is on the panel etc., 5. Practise—but stay flexible Speak your answers out loud beforehand, but don’t try to memorise them. Focus on key points you want to share. It’s fine to pause, take a breath, or return to a question later. 6. Plan self-care before and after Give yourself time to settle before the call, and allow time to decompress afterward. Remember that if an employer isn’t open to making some 'reasonable' adjustments, that tells you something too. You deserve to work somewhere that values you as you are.

88% of companies now use AI for initial candidate screening, but most job seekers still don't know how to showcase their human skills to algorithms. We’ve been using AI to automate various tasks across our agencies. Recently, I was studying how AI could help in the hiring process, and the findings are fascinating. AI systems can analyze facial expressions, voice tone, response structure, micro-expressions, and pause duration that humans might miss. Research from Talentsmart reveals that emotional intelligence accounts for 58% of job performance success. Yet most people struggle to demonstrate these skills in AI-driven interviews. Here are practical ways to excel in AI interviews: 1. Speak clearly and maintain steady eye contact with the camera. AI systems interpret this as confidence and engagement. 2. Use specific examples when answering questions. AI analyzes language patterns for empathy and self-awareness 3. Control your pace. Rushed speech signals nervousness to voice analysis tools 4. Structure your answers with a clear beginning, middle, and end. AI favors organized thinking patterns. Companies like Unilever have seen a 90% reduction in recruitment time while improving diversity in their hiring process through AI-driven interviews. The technology isn't going away, so adapting to it becomes crucial. What's your experience with AI interviews? Sources: https://lnkd.in/eiazUknb https://lnkd.in/eA9C3YWb

🚀 AI Interview Prep: Common Questions and How to Ace Them! 🚀 The AI interview process can feel intimidating—even for the most prepared candidates. But here’s the truth: employers don’t just want theory, they want proof you can deliver real results. The right preparation can make you the standout candidate in this competitive field! 💡 What to Expect: Technical & Behavioral Questions 1️⃣ Technical: ♠️ Core AI concepts — machine learning algorithms, neural networks, model evaluation. ♠️ Case scenarios — walk through your end-to-end AI projects including deployment and performance monitoring. ♠️ Coding challenges — Python, scikit-learn, TensorFlow tasks focused on data wrangling and model building. ♠️ System design — scalable AI architectures, MLOps, CI/CD pipelines. Latest trends — generative AI, LLMs, prompt engineering, model interpretability. 2️⃣ Behavioral: ♠️ Teamwork and collaboration: “Tell me about a challenging AI project you worked on as a team.” ♠️ Learning agility: “Describe when you quickly mastered a new technology.” ♠️ Communication: “How would you explain a complex model to a non-technical stakeholder?” ♠️ Overcoming setbacks: “Share a time a project failed and what you learned.” ♠️ Ethics & bias: “How do you address bias in AI models?” 💡 Pro Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers clear and impactful! ♠️ How to Prepare Like a Pro 1️⃣ Daily Coding Practice: Platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank & Kaggle sharpen your skills with real problems. 2️⃣ Mock Interviews: Practice on Pramp, Interviewing.io, or LinkedIn’s free mock interview feature to get feedback and boost confidence. 3️⃣ Project Walkthroughs: Prepare to explain your projects clearly—focus on problem solving, challenges, and outcomes. 4️⃣ Use AI Prep Tools: Try Yoodli for communication feedback or FinalRound.ai & LeetCode Wizard for coding prep. 5️⃣ Record Yourself: Reviewing recordings improves articulation and confidence. 6️⃣ Research Companies: Know their tech stack, AI initiatives, and recent projects to tailor your responses. ▶️ Boost your prep with this: https://lnkd.in/g_5CCFRp ▶️ Explore free mock interview tools: https://lnkd.in/gnVByYhU Tips to Stand Out ♠️ Tailor your resume to the job — include relevant keywords to beat ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). ♠️ Show full lifecycle understanding: problem to deployment to monitoring. ♠️ Simplify complex ideas — use analogies and examples to communicate clearly. ♠️ Share stories that show adaptability & growth mindset. ♠️ Ask insightful questions about the company’s AI challenges and future vision. ♠️ Show awareness of ethics — bias, transparency, and responsible AI. ♠️ Stay current — mention recent AI trends and your own continuous learning.

Blanking in online interviews? You are not alone and you can beat it! Here are some practical tips to stay calm, focused, and clear under pressure: Prepare and practice using the STAR method Structure your answers in a story format to competency questions using Situation, Task, Action, Result. Keep them natural non scripted. Use flash cards as subtle prompts Stick an A4/A3 sheet on the wall behind your screen, at camera-eye level. Use a word cue from the steps of your STAR answers to jog your memory. Calm your mind with a soft object Hold a stress ball, or gently rub your knee under the desk to relieve nervous energy whatever brings you calm, though out of sight of the camera! Record yourself in a mock interview Playback helps you spot hesitation points and refine how you tell your stories Talk to yourself  Practice just hearing yourself tell your STAR stories out loud  Slow your breathing before the call Just 30 seconds of steady slow breathing can shift you from panic to presence Don’t fear silence If you blank, pause.  Saying “Let me take a second to think” shows composure, not weakness. Have a glass of water nearby It is a small, but powerful way to give yourself time and reset Blanking isn’t permanent. With the right approach, it is absolutely manageable. Confidence is contagious. When you back yourself, others are more likely to do the same. A good interviewer will give you space to recover. Take it and keep going. Got your own go-to tip for staying calm in interviews? I would love to hear in the comments 👇 Preparing for your next interview? I have helped many clients overcome this hurdle with practical tools and mindset shifts that work. Feel free to connect 👆 or drop me a message I am always happy to help. #InterviewTips #OnlineInterviews #CareerDevelopment #STARMethod #InterviewAnxiety

"Pitch slap after a connection request....instant ick, right?" I've seen many posts about this, and as a b2b sales gal, I can't disagree. It can give stranger danger vibes..lol As someone who’s built her entire B2B sales career through LinkedIn lead generation, I'm here to tell you, there’s a better way. Here’s what I’ve learned, and yes, I was guilty of the pitch slap too in my earlier social selling days. If you're proactively job searching, leverage these same principles. Post connection request: 1. Send a voice note or video Right after connecting, send something like "Great to be connected, looking forward to adding value for one another". Keep it casual and human. 100% you will stand out from a sea of DM texts. Cut through the noise and be different. 2. Post content that solves problems aka build a personal brand. Speak to their current and future pain, share insights that help them win. Your content should answer questions they haven’t even asked themselves yet. This is a huge game changer and will set you apart from the competition. What could be their pain in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years... get them thinking about potential future pain to position yourself as a thought leader in their space. 3. Drop value in their inbox without the ask. Share a relevant post or market insight, perhaps one of your own thought leadership posts. Start a convo, not a pitch and always follow-up with value. 4. Comment on their posts with real value Show up where they are and add to their conversations. Build familiarity before you ask for anything. All of these actions will do 3 main things. Build likeability, visibility, and trust. Only after that trust is built should you go in with the ask. I like to think of it like this and coach around my "coffee shop" analogy. You’re standing in line, you smile at the person in front of you. You comment on their drink choice or laugh about how long the line is. It’s natural, relatable, and builds rapport. You don’t start with “Wanna buy what I’m selling?”- that would be freakin weird right??? Major stranger danger vibes, so why are you doing that in the DM's? Listen, this approach won’t get you a quick win. But it will get you long-term, high-quality clients. It’s exactly how I’ve turned cold prospects into my stickiest relationships. And it started with value first, always. Nancy If you’re in b2b sales or job searching, save this as your DM game plan. #B2BSales #LeadGeneration #LinkedInTips #SocialSelling #JobSearchStrategy