What Are Virtual Interviews with University Career Services Like?

I'm starting to look into summer internships, and I've noticed that a lot of university career services offer virtual interviews. Has anyone experienced one? What sort of questions did they ask, and how different is it from an in-person interview?

Indeed, the landscape of job and internship interviews has greatly shifted due to advancements in technology and recent developments causing many businesses and services to operate remotely. Virtual interviews are becoming standard practice, not only for remote positions but for all types of roles. Interviewing virtually via university career services tends to follow a similar structure to in-person interviews, with a few notable differences.

In a virtual interview, questions tend to align with the industry standards for your chosen field, just like in-person. They will likely touch on your academic performance, your interest in the specific field or position, your strengths and weaknesses, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. Behavioral questions, particularly ones that ask you to discuss previous experiences or hypothetical situations, are also common.

Virtual interviews possess some unique elements that differentiate them from in-person encounters. The most immediate is the interface: conducting an interview online can initially feel a little less personable or more awkward than an in-person meeting. There might be occasional technological glitches, or you may have to navigate the unfamiliar territory of conveying enthusiasm and professionalism through a screen.

There are also some pluses to virtual interviews. For example, you can have notes or prompts subtly at hand to help you answer questions thoroughly or remember important points you want to make. However, be careful not to rely too heavily on your notes as you want to maintain strong eye contact.

Remember to treat this type of interview as seriously as an in-person one; dress appropriately, prepare beforehand, and ensure you're in a quiet and interruption-free space. Test your internet connection, camera, and microphone before the interview to avoid any last-minute technical problems.

In short, while the setting is different, the content and expectations of virtual interviews largely align with in-person ones, making preparation for them a similar process. Perhaps the biggest piece of advice is to embrace the virtual format, practice using it, and find ways to transfer your communication skills effectively through this medium.