Making a Memorable First Impression on Virtual Interviews

I might get hate mail for this: Appearances and first impressions still matter—big time. Zoom calls and remote work culture erupted over the past decade, and somewhere along the way, we stopped caring about the 'little things'. Salespeople, missing the details = lighting cash on fire 🔥. 💰 Every call on your calendar costs your marketing team a few thousand dollars. Each meeting could be thousands in commission for you. That CMO you’re meeting with? Her 30 minutes is worth $500. When she brings her team, they spend $3k in salary just showing up. So, why do we show up like we don’t give a sh*t? Sweating the details can often be a waste of time, other times it's worth the effort. 💡 Here are 6 details you should never skip: 1) Do your research.  Asking where they live or what their company does—things you could Google in 5 seconds—doesn’t build rapport; it just makes you look unprepared. Instead, come in with a point of view on something you've already researched. 2) Use a good webcam & mic.  Who would you rather spend 30 minutes with in the screenshot below? You don’t need to break the bank—a solid cam/mic setup costs under $100. 3) Get your lighting right.  Clear the shadow from your face. Sit in front of good lighting. A $20 ring light can do wonders. 4) Dress like you care.  Would you rather be over-dressed or under-dressed when you're presenting to the C-suite of a $2billion dollar company? Toss the wrinkly T-shirt and baseball cap. Throw on a button-up or polo. Maybe even take a morning shower and comb your hair. 5) Send a follow-up the same day.  Buyers appreciate a quick recap they can share internally. Tools like WINN.AI, Gong, or Sybill can automate this, so you can get the email out in minutes instead of hours. 6) Send a pre-meeting brief.  An engaged audience = a better meeting. Prime their brains before the call. *Bonus tip: Send personalized messages to each stakeholder - this takes more effort, but it's worth it. A CMO has different interests/problems than a Sales Manager. Make it clear that you took the time to curate messages for each person. These details might seem trivial, but it's worth it if they make you even 1% more engaging. I get it—some of you will think I'm an old-fashioned grandpa. (Probably true.) Some will think, "it’s 2025, and this stuff doesn’t matter anymore." 🎲 But are you willing to gamble your company's hard-earned pipeline (and your own commission) on that? Deals are won or lost by tiny margins. Skimp a little here, skimp a little there, and watch your win rates suffer. (Legit, I had a rep almost lose a deal because he presented a deck using the customer's outdated logo <- the CMO was not smiling about it. We did damage control for 2 weeks.) ⚖️ My stance: obsess over the details. Alone, they might seem minor, but together, they will tip the scales and split success from failure. Would love to hear what details you swear by? 

As someone who has performed hundreds of interviews, I can tell you that acing the “Tell Me About Yourself” will set the tone for the rest of the interview.   Does the question 'Tell me about yourself' feel overwhelming? You’re not alone.   I know that the "Tell me about yourself" can feel daunting. It’s often the first thing you’re asked, and here’s the secret: your answer needs to stand out. Most candidates will stick to generic responses, but this is your chance to make a memorable impression and set the tone.   Here’s a framework to craft an answer: 1️⃣ Past: Start with a brief, tailored highlight of your background—focus on moments that align with the role but also showcase something distinctive about you. Example: "I earned my degree in Marketing, where I discovered my passion for digital storytelling. During college, I didn’t just intern—I spearheaded a social media strategy for a startup that grew their follower base by 30%, turning casual engagement into measurable growth." 2️⃣ Present: Transition to what you’re doing now and the impact you’re making—show how your experiences build on each other. Example: "Currently, I’m a marketing associate at XYZ Company, where I’ve led campaigns that not only increased website traffic by 15% but also improved customer retention through targeted content strategies." 3️⃣ Future: Tie it all together with a vision for what’s next, explaining how the role you’re interviewing for aligns with your goals—and why that makes you an ideal fit. Example: "Now, I’m excited to bring my creativity and data-driven approach to a company like yours, where I can take on bold challenges and contribute to campaigns that truly resonate." How to Develop a Standout Answer: Reflect on Your Journey: Spend time identifying key experiences, skills, or achievements that have shaped you and are relevant to the role. Focus on moments that showcase your unique value. Research the Role: Tailor your answer by researching the company’s mission and the job requirements. Highlight the aspects of your background that directly align. Practice Aloud and Record Yourself: Rehearse your answer out loud and record yourself. Watching the playback can help you identify areas for improvement in your delivery, tone, and body language. Pay Attention to Body Language: Use confident, open gestures to emphasize key points and maintain good posture. Smile naturally, and make sure your energy comes through—even in virtual interviews. Get Comfortable with Storytelling: Think of your answer as a mini-story—engaging, memorable, and personal. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and impact. Bonus Tips: Make it memorable by emphasizing what sets you apart. Keep your response concise (1-2 minutes) and engaging. Let your passion and personality shine—it’s your story, so make it compelling. Remember, it’s your chance to show the interviewer why you’re not like everyone else.

Your first and last impressions matter more than you think in an interview. This is because of biases. Let me explain. As humans, we are full of biases. Biases are how we make sense of the world. Two that are well-known are called primacy and recency bias. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬: People tend to remember the first thing they see or hear. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬: We also remember the last thing vividly. That is why the way you start and end an interview is important. And if you use some strategy while in your interviews, you can turn these biases into an advantage. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐬 The initial impression sets the tone for the rest of the interview. A strong opening can build trust and interest, while a shaky one might take the rest of the conversation to recover, if you can at all. Here's how to make it work for you: 💡Ensure you have a prepared introduction (which can be part of the "Tell me about yourself" answer). This will be your elevator pitch. It should highlight who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you’re excited about this role. Practice it until it feels natural. 💡Your appearance communicates more than words ever could. Research the company culture and dress slightly above their standard to convey professionalism. 💡Engage the interviewer right away. Smile and greet your interviewer by name. It’s a small gesture, but it shows respect and warmth. 💡Be enthusiastic (but do not go overboard). Employers want to hire people who genuinely want to work for them. Let your interest in the role and the company shine through from the very beginning. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐬 Your interviewer will remember the last thing they see or hear from you. That means the end of the interview is your final opportunity to leave a positive, lasting impression. Here's how to make it work for you: 💡Talk about how you can solve their problems. Don’t leave the interview without reminding them why you’re the best fit for the role. You have discussed this all during the interview, but briefly highlight your most relevant skills and accomplishments at the end. 💡Take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions. Ask insightful questions about their goals, challenges, or team culture. But not anything you should have learned from your initial research. Dig deeper into what is going on and how you can help. 💡Say thank you. A sincere thank-you goes a long way. Let them know you appreciate their time and are excited about the opportunity to contribute to their team. 💡Ask for the job. Tell them you want this. Something as simple as, “I’m excited about the opportunity and can’t wait to join the team,” can leave a strong impression. First impressions set the tone, and last impressions can seal the deal. Use this to your advantage. What other biases can you use to your advantage? ----- I am Shelley, a recruiter turned career coach. I help you find a job where you can thrive and not just survive.