Meet Snowflake recruiting coordinator Debora van Tol. Based in Amsterdam, Debora is your guide to ensure every aspect of the interview process is delightful...like you're a guest in our home. She also works with hiring managers inside Snowflake to ensure an amazing pool of candidates that fit our business goals. With direct insight into both hiring manager and candidate needs, Debora is in the perfect position to share her top tips to ace your next virtual interview.

I love my matchmaking job at Snowflake connecting great talent with fantastic opportunities, but things don't always go according to plan. Whether you’re just starting your career or someone with seasoned experience, your interview performance is the key to landing your next gig. Read on for tips to help you slay (sleigh!) your next virtual interview. I hope you find them useful!

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Put your best foot forward
Focus on the value you bring to Snowflake and the role. Make a list of the top attributes that align your relevant skills and experience with the opportunity.

Demonstrate a deep understanding of Snowflake to increase your chances of making a strong first impression. Start by visiting our website, career site, YouTube channel, LinkedIn, and Instagram to learn more about our values and culture, unique value proposition, and what business solutions we provide our customers.

Come prepared

Plan enough time to do any pre-work and applicable assignments, and don’t leave it until the night before the interview. If you have any questions, reach out to your recruiting coordinator for clarification.

Ask smart questions that demonstrate your knowledge of Snowflake as well as your craft. Your interviewer will ask most of the questions, but you can learn a lot from their answers, too. In advance of your interview, reflect on what you're interested in and create a list of questions you’d like to discuss.

Get to know your interviewer
Understand who your interviewer is, what they do in their current role, and their experience prior to joining Snowflake. Look to social media, LinkedIn, associations you belong to, etc. for any common interests you might have with your interviewer. This helps you build a connection and be more relaxed and conversational, instead of scripted during your interview.

INTERVIEW DAY READINESS

Be on time, or… early!

Last minute issues can prevent you from joining the interview on time - avoid this by arriving early. I’ve received a frantic call from a candidate moments before the interview on more than one occasion. Don’t be this person. This gives you enough time to change that virtual background from last night’s team party to something more appropriate, too!

Punctuality is an absolute necessity. Pay close attention to the time zone mentioned in the email. Any confusion? Be proactive and reach out to your recruiting coordinator to confirm the details.

Verbal communication

Avoid long-winded answers. Answer each question briefly at first and then pause. This will give the interviewer the opportunity to ask for more detail and/or redirect the question in case you were headed down the wrong path.

When participating in an interview panel, direct a question or answer to a specific person to avoid any confusion.

Non-verbal communication
Be aware of your body language. Have good posture, and make sure your voice is clear. My favorite video trick is to move the image of the person you are speaking to close to your camera so you’re eye level.
Environment

Make sure you’re comfortable! Sit in a quiet place, where you can focus and won’t be disturbed during the interview. Give others in your household a heads up that you will need privacy during this time. Inform your interviewer of any special circumstances at the beginning of the interview.

Choose a well-lit area, and tidy up to avoid having anything distracting in the background. Pro tip: place a light behind your screen so you don’t have a shadow on your face. Mute notifications on your devices, too!

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Treat yo’self
Interviewing can be stressful, and vulnerable. Be proud that you put yourself out there, no matter the outcome.

Express your enthusiasm
Show your excitement to work with the team! You’d be surprised by how many candidates don’t follow up with a thank you note. Don’t forget the little things, they go a long way.