By Marianne DiMola 

COVID fast-forwarded many trends. Virtual meetings, interviews, and even happy hours became commonplace. The difference between COVID and now is that while COVID was in place, some rules were slightly relaxed. But now that virtual meetings and interviews are part of our present, the rules are no longer comfortable. Here are some tips so you are ready for your virtual interview. 

If you're not familiar with the platform on which the call will be held, download it and practice with a friend first. 

While you're practicing with your friend, take a look at your background. What can be seen? If you're in the bedroom, make sure the bed is not visible. Consider blurring the background or going to another room.  

If you share the house with others, make sure everyone knows you'll be on the call and that noise and interruptions will be limited. 

Always be early for a virtual interview. While we might get stuck in traffic for an on-site interview, and you may be forgiven for being a few minutes late, that second hand is ticking when we're one minute or two minutes late, so make sure that you log in early. 

While they say you can dress from the waist up, I suggest for an interview you do get completely dressed. The more professional you feel, the more professional you will act.  

You absolutely can and should have your resume in front of you for easy reference, with notes. Write out in advance some of those situations you may be asked about, how you managed something with a difficult employee, patient/member, or superior, an accomplishment you're proud of, or an initiative you saw from beginning to end. Also, have some questions ready for you to ask. Even if they were thorough, people usually look forward to you asking a question, too. It shows that you're engaged and interested in the position. 

If you're feeling nervous, don't be afraid to say it. If you were to say you are anxious because you want to get the answer right because you want to make a good impression because you're interested in this position, that lets them know exactly how interested you are! When you say it aloud, it seems to get sent off into the universe, and you're no longer that nervous. They appreciate your honesty; you feel better and move on more confidently. 

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Bio: Marianne DiMola has more than twenty-five years of experience in healthcare human resources management and career development. Her experience includes branch directorships with two of the country's leading home health care organizations, Bayada Nurses and Nursefinders. She is a founding member of CMSA's TriChapter NewYork Conferences and served as the Executive Director of the New York City Chapter of CMSA for twenty years. In addition, Marianne was one of the founders of Pathway Medical Staffing, a nationally recognized leader providing case management recruitment and retention advisory services, HEDIS staffing, and project management. Ms. DiMola was also the Senior Vice President of National Sales and Operations for Medical Staffing Network, Care Management and Vice President of Care Management at Cross Country. Ms. DiMola is currently President and founder of Global Care Management, specialist in care management staffing and consulting. Ms. DiMola presented "Essential Strategies" at the CMSA National Conference and CMSA, NYC Chapter in 2011, Long Island CMSA Conference 2012, "The Secret Victory of Case Managers" at CMSA National in 2013 and in 2023 presented has authored and coauthored, "Essential Strategies to Cultivate Your Career" for the Professional Case Management; Vol. 17/No. 5 and "Next Level Case Management Guide. Co -authored The Great Exodus Hitting Case Management CMSAtoday · Mar 28, 2022 and Successful Tips For Submitting Your Resume In A Digital World CMSAtoday · Jan 4, 2022 and Regional Impact of COVID-19 on Acute Case Management Practice Regional Impact of COVID-19 on Acute Case Management Practice. Ms. Dimola has additional articles published in CMSAtoday in 2023. Marianne also serves on the board for EASEL, animal rescue group.