Preparing for an interview can be stressful! Figuring out what to wear, how to properly handshake and even finding the right office – all things to consider with meeting someone in person.

With many organizations switching from in-person to virtual interviews, your interview prep will now focus on some things that you might not have thought of!

Here are some tips and things to consider when preparing for a virtual interview:

Still Dress for Success: It is always recommended to dress business casual from head to toe – just in case! You never know when you might have to stand up or even unintentionally leave the camera on.

Test Technology: Technology is great, but it’s even better when it actually works! It takes just a few minutes to test that your speakers, microphone, and camera are in good working order.

Professional Identity: Keep it professional! Make sure you are identified with a simple email and your full name is always preferred.

Backdrop: It is always great to make sure you control what you can, setting yourself up in front of an interesting but not distracting background would be ideal. For example, you wouldn’t want to be set up in a high traffic area in your house where people passing by in the background will distract you or the interviewer. And not to worry, things happen, I am sure we have all seen our fair share! Also, if you really want to stand out, try a virtual background, but preferably nothing crazy like the beach or outer space.

Minimize Distractions: Ensure the notifications are off on all devices, programs that could be running and sounding alerts on your laptop or even text messages coming into your personal phone. Also, we can’t forget about our furry friends. With the potential of crossing the camera at any given moment, it’s best to keep them in a separate room for the meeting. This will ensure you have your eyes on the prize and you will keep consistent eye contact with the interviewer.

Jennifer Cruz is First Capital’s Talent Acquisition Specialist