You’ve clicked on a job, submitted your application, and progressed through the hiring process.

Now, you’re ready for the virtual interview. What should you do to get ready?

Anyone who’s aced a virtual interview will tell you the key is pre-planning – enough so on the day of, all you have to think about is the conversation. Start with finding a spot that’s quiet, where interruptions are unlikely, and where you’ll be as comfortable and as free from distractions as possible.

What else should be on your pre-interview to-do list?

Gather Your Gear: Optimal setup may require some additional equipment -- maybe a hands-free stand for your phone, or some books to prop your laptop to a good height. Both will require playing with camera angle and positioning – things you’ll want to do ahead to spare yourself the stress of last-minute fidgeting. A last tip: avoid a jarring, “Why didn’t I move that?” moment by taking a quick glance at what’s behind you on screen.

Confirm the Link: Look for an email with the MS Teams link. That’s your interview location. Visit in advance to make sure you can get in, that you have all necessary plug-ins, and that you’re comfortable with the platform.

Present Yourself in a Good Light (Literally): People are often surprised by how much lighting you need for video. Too little can make you look like you’re in a cave, and natural light isn’t generally enough on its own. Consider lamps and lights made expressly for video meetings in addition to windows. And try to have a light source behind your webcam or device. Want to get in the weeds about the art of lighting your face? Check out this from USA Today.

Charge Up: Everybody dreads the “beep, beep, beep” of a waning battery. Worse is the “will it or won’t it?” feeling of watching the little battery icon draining. Save yourself the worry and ensure your equipment is plugged in or fully charged the night before.

Create a List of Questions: Good questions are surprisingly hard to remember on the fly, the reason many of us exit interviews with a “Why didn’t I remember to ask that?” moment. Think ahead about what you want to know about the job, the company, or the center, and have a list handy and ready to reference.

Pretend You’re interviewing Live: How would you present yourself if you were doing the interview in the office? Do that. Sit up straight; make eye contact; engage through body language. And since what you wear can affect how you feel, dress as you would for an in-person interview – even the parts that are off camera.

Minimize Distractions: We all know the lure to read messages is strong; just knowing they’re there can steal focus. Make it easy and put away your phone if you’re not using it; log out of applications and emails; and disable (not just silence) notifications.

Log in Early: On interview day, open the link a few minutes before start time. That will give you time to troubleshoot any technical issues without sweating. You’ll remain in the virtual lobby until the hiring manager is ready to let you in and start the interview.

Take a Deep Breath: Try to relax. Remember: we’re excited to meet and get to know you – and want you to learn a little about us.

Last but not least, expect the unexpected.

Even with the best planning, tech problems happen. If you do have an issue (tech or otherwise), let your interviewer know. But take heart: even an unexpected technical challenge can be a good thing; an opportunity to display your sense of humor, as well as your ace problem-solving and adaptability skills.

We look forward to meeting you!