Virtual and in-person interviews: the pros and cons for jobseekers

One crucial factor of any job search is preparing yourself for the interview. Whether it’s researching the employer, matching your skills to the job description, or considering what questions you’ll be asked, you do all you can to be ready and informed for the big day. But what about preparing yourself for the interview format? Have you thought about that?

Increasingly, employers are using virtual interviews instead of in-person interviews, or a combination of the two. While there are plenty of similarities between them, each type of interview has both pros and cons.

What is a virtual interview?

Virtual interviews have been used since the early 2000s but it wasn’t until 2020, when the pandemic kept most of us home-bound, that they made a regular appearance. As we move into a new, post-pandemic normal, virtual interviewing has become an accepted recruitment practice.

A virtual interview is conducted by video call, using software and apps such as Zoom, Skype, or Webex. This mean that you can be interviewed at a distance, perhaps from your home, instead of visiting a business premises.

Virtual interview benefits

The benefits of virtual interviewing to jobseekers are:

  No need to travel

The main benefit to you as a jobseeker is that you save on the time and money involved in travelling to an interview. Instead, you can interview from where you are. This cuts out the stress of travelling too.

  You feel more relaxed at home

Generally, video interviews are conducted from the jobseeker’s home. This means that you are more likely to be relaxed and comfortable in your surroundings.

  A chance to show that you can work from home

If you’ve applied for a work-from-home position, a virtual interview provides you with the opportunity to show that you have the physical and technical set up to work remotely. It also demonstrates that you can communicate well by video call.

  Option to record interview

If the employer chooses to record the interview, you are within your rights to ask for access to that recording, ask how it will be stored and used, and ask for it to be removed once it has served its purpose. Legally, an employer must inform you that they will be recording the interview.

The benefit of a recorded interview to you as a job seeker is the chance to watch it back, especially if you don’t land the job, because it can provide valuable insight into how to improve your interview performance.

Virtual interview disadvantages

A virtual interview may sound ideal but there are still a number of disadvantages:

• It may be more difficult to ‘read the room’ and build a rapport in a video call.
• Technical issues, such as an unreliable internet connection, can cause problems.
• Other interruptions, such as barking dogs, children, and neighbours, may interrupt your interview.
• You must have the correct technical set-up and know-how.
• Virtual interviews are less suitable for jobseekers who don’t have well developed communication and presentation skills.

In-person interview benefits

The benefits of an in-person interview are:

  Easier to read the room

There is no denying the fact that it is easier to build a rapport and judge people’s responses when you meet them face-to-face. Their body language, tone of voice, facial reactions, and the manner they communicate with others will help you to build a picture of who they are and how best to interact with them.

Similarly, the interviewer can judge you in the same way. An in-person interview provides a better opportunity than a video interview to demonstrate who you are as a person and how you will perform in the workplace.

  Experience the work environment

However much you research the employer before your interview, the best way to experience the work environment and company culture is to visit the employer’s premises. Here you will see employees going about their jobs and get a taste of what it would be like to work there yourself.

In-person interview disadvantages

The disadvantages of attending an in-person interview are:

• the time and cost involved in travelling to an interview
• that it can feel intimidating to face an in-person interview
• you may have to adhere to a dress code for the interview

Final Thoughts

You may have no choice in whether you attend a virtual or in-person interview but being aware of the pros and cons of each format can help you prepare.

For a video interview, make sure that you have the correct technical set-up, including a reliable internet connection, and that you won’t be interrupted.

For an in-person interview, make sure you know where you are going, how you will get there, and the conditions you must adhere to on the day.

Whether you face a video interview or an in-person interview, don’t forget to:

• research the employer and the job
• consider the questions you may be asked and practice your answers
• match your skills and experience to the job description and consider how you will express this match in your interview