Your meeting with the family is an opportunity to see if you feel comfortable and compatible with them. Feel free to ask them many questions. Remember that you are not the only one being interviewed!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW

1. Test Your Technology – The minute you agree to a virtual interview, test your technology to ensure you’re set up for success. Check your internet connectivity, and confirm your camera and microphone are working. If the picture is grainy or you’re experiencing an echo, you might need to buy a mini webcam with a built-in microphone—which is hard to do five minutes before the interview, so test early to make sure you have everything setup to run smoothly on the day of the interview!

2. Set the Scene and Minimize Distractions – While testing your technology, determine where to take the interview. Find a room with optimal lighting, preferably near a window, or a blank wall to guarantee you’re the focal point of the conversation. Whether you sit on your living room couch or in your home office, tidy up your surroundings. It’s hard to convince employers you’re detail-oriented and organized when there’s laundry visibly piling up in the corner. Once settled, eliminate all distractions. Turn off the TV, silence your cell phone, and close any nearby windows to muffle outside noises that could creep in.

3. Dress for the interview – Just because you are not meeting “in-person” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress professionally for the occasion. Make sure you are wearing neat, clean, and professional clothes. Additionally, make sure your hair is kept and orderly. Looking your best will always make a better impression on a family!

4. Sit Down Prepared – Just because you’re on a computer doesn’t mean you can search the web for answers mid-interview, so avoid clicking around. You want to appear focused and ready to answer any questions without the help of the internet. Read the job description ahead of time and jot down notes for easy reference. Also print out a copy of your resume, so that you don’t forget key talking points.

5. Monitor Your Body Language – You can’t firmly shake a parent’s hand or as easily exude enthusiasm via video. But what you can do is monitor your body language. The main way to communicate confidence is to sit up straight, smile, and keep the camera at eye level. Research shows that employers are more likely to remember what you said if you maintain eye contact, so keep your focus on the camera when talking as much as you can. Positioning the video directly under your web-camera lens will help with this, so you can look at the parents but also look towards the camera too.

6. Be Yourself and Connect – Connecting on a personal level can be challenging during a virtual interview because there is a physical disconnect. It’s can be difficult to see enthusiasm through a screen, so make sure you’re expressive when answering questions and displaying your genuine love for taking care of children with warm and honest statements and a smile 😊

7. Come Prepared with Answers to Common Interview Questions (ask our team for our list of common questions!)

We hope this provides you with some helpful tips for a successful virtual interview experience! As always, please reach out if you need further guidance or assistance. We are here to make sure you succeed 😊