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Virtual Interview Prep 101: What to Expect

No matter the job market, it’s always important to thoroughly prepare for an interview. In today’s environment, most interviews are being conducted virtually instead of face to face, making it feel like more of a challenge to find the right fit for a position, and like more of a challenge for a potential employee to shine in their interview.

TalentSpark helps companies find great talent and great talent to find stellar career opportunities. Here are some commonly asked questions and our recommendations for successfully preparing for and executing a virtual interview.

What Should Someone Expect When They Have an Entirely Virtual Job Interview?

Candidates should be prepared to show the same level of professionalism they would usually show in person, plus a few extra steps. Take the time to make sure you are presenting yourself professionally by making sure your camera is at a good level — preferably eye-level — and be aware of the background. Choose a blank wall or a background that won’t detract from what you are saying. Without an opportunity to meet in person, candidates should be prepared to oversell their professionalism and competence for the job.

How Should Someone Prepare for a Virtual Job Interview?

A quiet environment is most important. Giving yourself a distraction-free environment will allow you to focus and have a meaningful conversation with the employer. Ask your partner to take the dog for a walk or set your kids up with an activity in a different room.

Once you’ve secured a quiet environment, preparation should be like any other interview. Dress professionally. Be prepared for common interview questions like, “tell me about yourself” or, “tell me why you are interested in this position.” Candidates that have a two-minute pitch about why they are the right person for the job will stand out.

What Virtual Job Interview Mistakes Are Common?

A big virtual interview mistake is not dressing professionally. Right now, a t-shirt and jeans may feel dressed up, but that isn’t appropriate for most interviews. Candidates should always dress for the job or company culture, even for a virtual interview.

Another mistake is to be in too casual of an environment. Sitting on a couch or a bed doesn’t put off a professional vibe. Rather, sit at a countertop or a table on a straight-back chair or stool. Try to get your camera as close to eye-level as possible and again, be conscious of the background.

How Should Someone Set the Scene for a Video Interview?

I recently interviewed a candidate that was sitting in a basement that was clearly in the middle of being remodeled. Almost immediately he explained that his kids were afraid of going down there and therefore it was the only quiet place in his home. By calling this out right away, he demonstrated his ability to manage expectations and set himself apart from other candidates. If there is something that might be out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to call it out and explain why.

How Do You Make a Lasting Impression without Meeting Face-to-Face?

Follow-up emails are even more important right now than they usually are. Write a genuine, well thought out follow up email — follow up on a question that was asked or a conversation that you had. Making your email personal will go a long way. Also, be sure to send it in a timely manner: 24 hours or so after the interview. However, sending the email IMMEDIATELY after the interview concludes can backfire; most hiring managers will assume you wrote it beforehand and didn’t put any thought or personalization into it. This seemingly small gesture shows the employer that they are a priority to you, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Final Thoughts

There needs to be grace on both the employer and the candidate side. We are all working in unusual circumstances and things like dogs barking or a child popping into the video frame are small things that need to be forgiven. Likewise, if you do the work to prepare for the interview and things don’t go perfectly well, don’t be too hard on yourself. Lastly, the principles of in-person interviews still apply to virtual interviews and the little things can make a big difference right now.

Do you have any questions about preparing for a video or virtual interview? We’re happy to use our expertise to prepare you as much as possible. Contact TalentSpark today to get feedback from the professionals!

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Josilyn Clare, Operations Coordinator at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Josilyn Clare

Operations Coordinator

Josilyn supports TalentSpark’s daily operations with her background in administrative management and tax. With several years of experience optimizing organizational systems, she works closely with our Leadership Team to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her attention to detail, financial accuracy, and proactive mindset help the team operate at our best.

Education: Northwest University (B.A.)

Fun Fact: Josilyn’s favorite place in the world is Germany!

Sari Hansen, Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Sari Hansen

Recruiter

After starting her career in telecommunications and public health, Sari was introduced to the recruiting world and never looked back. At TalentSpark, she specializes in project-based and recruiter on demand roles, supporting clients across industries like insurance, finance, engineering, and manufacturing. With over a decade of recruiting experience, Sari is passionate about guiding candidates to the right fit, including opportunities they might never have considered before.

Education: Idaho State University (B.S., Public Health Education & Promotion)

Community: Youth group leader for ages 4–18; active supporter of local school and sports programs

Fun Fact: Sari is a lifelong Idahoan raised on a multi-generational cattle ranch!

Dylan Buckland, Recruiter at at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Dylan Buckland

Recruiter

Before joining TalentSpark, Dylan worked as a hiring manager for Old Navy, the largest specialty retailer in the U.S. There he gained firsthand insight into the importance of thoughtful, people-centered hiring. Now as a TalentSpark recruiter, he’s been involved in all aspects of recruiting — from working directly with clients to managing a full desk. Dylan’s superpower is creating an inclusive and safe environment where authentic conversations come naturally.

Education: Boise State University (B.B.A., Business Administration & B.A., Human Resource Management)

Community: President, Boise Young Professionals; Board Member, Downtown Boise Association (DBA); Board Member, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce

Fun Fact: Dylan is a ski enthusiast and self-taught handyman who never turns down a home improvement project!

Pariss Paul, Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Pariss Paul

Recruiter

Pariss Paul offers nearly a decade of recruiting experience across a variety of industries, including human resources, accounting and finance, sales, marketing, IT, and engineering. Since joining TalentSpark in 2020, she’s been passionate about creating exceptional experiences for both clients and candidates — connecting the right people with the right roles and watching them thrive. Pariss is known for her relationship-driven approach and her genuine enthusiasm for helping organizations grow through great hires.

Education: Boise State University (B.A., Communication)

Community: Member, Human Resources Association of the Treasure Valley (HRATV)

Fun Fact: A lifelong dancer, Pariss now serves as Assistant Director of a local adult dance company and teaches dance to K12 students!

Allison Bruce, VP of Recruiting at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Allison Bruce

VP of Recruiting

As VP of Recruiting at TalentSpark, Allison brings 20 years of recruiting experience across a wide range of industries, from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits. Her background spans global engineering firms, health systems, pharmaceutical companies, and telecom providers. For the past eight years at TalentSpark, she has led the recruitment team and spearheaded executive search efforts. As a self-proclaimed “recruiting nerd,” Allison has a talent for market research and reaching unique, hard-to-find talent.

Education: University of Colorado – Boulder (B.A.); NCAA Division Track & Field Athlete

Community & Awards: Board Member, Boise Valley Economic Partnership; Co-Chair, Key Executive Committee at Meridian Chamber of Commerce; Board Member, American Association of Accounting and Finance; Past HR Committee, Idaho Youth Ranch; Coach, Girls on the Run; Idaho Business Review’s 40 Under 40; Women of Influence Honoree; Keynote Speaker, Meet the CFOs (TV CFO Forum, 2023–2025); Speaker, Boise Chamber Leadership Conference (2021)

Fun Fact: Allison has cycled across the Colorado mountains three times and her favorite place to visit is Sun Valley!

Jamie Brajcich, Manager of Recruiting at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Jamie Brajcich

Manager of Recruiting

Jamie has over 16 years of recruiting and talent acquisition experience. She began her career in healthcare and physician recruitment before expanding into industries like manufacturing, technology, and real estate. Since joining TalentSpark in 2018 as Manager of Recruiting, Jamie’s passion for leadership and talent strategy has shined through in everything she does — especially when it comes to building and mentoring teams.

Education: University of Montana (B.A., Organizational Communication & Nonprofit Administration)

Community: Member, American Association of Accounting and Finance Recruiters (AAFA)

Fun Fact: Jamie is currently thriving in her “mom era” with two active kids!

Stephanie Parker, Founder & Executive Recruiter at TalentSpark Boise Recruiting Firm

Stephanie Parker

Founder & Executive Recruiter

Stephanie is the Founder and Executive Recruiter at TalentSpark, with 30 years of experience in recruiting and HR. She’s held leadership roles at Alaska Airlines, Micron Technology, and St. Luke’s Health System, and has spent the past nine years growing TalentSpark into a trusted recruiting partner for companies across the Mountain West. Known for her hands-on approach and deep local knowledge, Stephanie combines corporate expertise with entrepreneurial spirit to help organizations hire with confidence.

Education: University of Oregon (B.A.), Kansas State University (M.S., Organizational Psychology)

Community & Awards: Director of Workforce Development, Idaho State SHRM; Past President, HRATV; Advisory Board Member, TOK; Past Executive Board Member, City of Good; Former EO Member; Idaho Business Review CEO of Influence

Fun Fact: Stephanie is a certified yoga instructor and avid fan of reality real estate shows!