Virtual-Interview-aspot Virtual-Interview-aspot

Virtual Interview: Mastering Best Practices for Success

Virtual interviews have become a standard part of the hiring process. Whether you’re interviewing for a new job, a promotion, or a partnership, mastering the art of the virtual interview is crucial. This guide will provide you with comprehensive tips and best practices to help you succeed in virtual interview settings.

Understanding the Importance of Virtual Interviews

Virtual interviews offer numerous benefits, including convenience and cost-effectiveness for both interviewers and candidates. They allow companies to connect with a wider pool of talent without geographical constraints. However, virtual interviews also present unique challenges, such as technical difficulties and the need for strong digital communication skills.

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Preparing for a Virtual Interview

Research the Company and Role

Before your virtual interview, thoroughly research the company and the specific role you’re applying for. Understand the company’s values, culture, and recent achievements. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.

Test Your Technology

Technical glitches can derail your interview. Ensure that your internet connection is stable, and test your video conferencing software beforehand. Check your microphone, camera, and any other necessary equipment. Familiarize yourself with the platform’s features, such as screen sharing and mute/unmute functions.

Choose the Right Environment

Select a quiet, well-lit space for your interview. Make sure your background is clean and professional. Avoid distractions and inform others in your household of your interview schedule to minimize interruptions.

Presenting Yourself Effectively

Dress Professionally

Dressing appropriately for a virtual interview is just as important as for an in-person interview. Wear professional attire that aligns with the company’s dress code. This not only shows respect but also boosts your confidence.

Body Language and Eye Contact

Maintain good posture and make eye contact with the camera to engage effectively with your interviewer. Avoid looking at your own image or other distractions on your screen. Nodding and smiling can help convey your attentiveness and enthusiasm.

Clear and Concise Communication

Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Avoid long-winded answers; instead, focus on delivering concise and relevant information. Prepare responses to common interview questions and practice them to ensure clarity and confidence.

Demonstrating Your Skills and Experience

Highlight Relevant Experience

Tailor your responses to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you have successfully handled similar responsibilities in the past. This approach provides concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Show Your Adaptability

Virtual work environments require adaptability and strong digital skills. Share examples of how you have successfully navigated virtual projects or remote work situations. Highlight any tools or software you are proficient in that are relevant to the role.

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Handling Common Virtual Interview Challenges

Managing Technical Issues

Despite thorough preparation, technical issues can still occur. If you encounter a problem, remain calm and address it promptly. Apologize for the inconvenience and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue. If possible, have a backup device or contact information for the interviewer in case of emergencies.

Engaging with Multiple Interviewers

Virtual interviews often involve panels or multiple interviewers. Address each person by name and engage with all participants equally. Take notes to remember key points and follow up on important questions.

Following Up After the Virtual Interview

Send a Thank-You Email

Within 24 hours of your interview, send a thank-you email to express your gratitude for the opportunity. Mention specific topics discussed during the interview and reiterate your interest in the position. This follow-up reinforces your professionalism and enthusiasm.

Reflect on Your Performance

Take time to reflect on your interview performance. Identify areas where you excelled and areas for improvement. This self-assessment will help you prepare better for future interviews.

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

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Cannabis

“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

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Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

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Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

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Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

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Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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