Top Tips for Video Interviews
Jose Cofone • Jul 29, 2020
For many seeking a new job, video interviews have become the norm.
Prior to March 2020, if you were being interviewed for a job, the majority of your preparation time would have been spent on practicing answers to typical interview questions and examples of “when you overcame an objection to land the sale!”
Corona has changed the working world around us with lots of people working from home or sadly losing their jobs. For those seeking a new position, video interviews have become the norm.
Corona has changed the working world around us with lots of people working from home or sadly losing their jobs. For those seeking a new position, video interviews have become the norm.
For the many who are used to using traditional face to face methods, interviewing via Teams, Skype, Zoom, Facetime or WhatsApp has left many feeling out of their depths. With this in mind, we thought it might be a good idea to put together some useful tips for job seekers on how to perfect their video interviewing methods.
Consider Your Location and Background
Try to find an interview space with a blank or neutral background. Cluttered backgrounds can often be distracting, and leaving the washing up to dry behind you unprofessional and lead interviewers to feel that you are not bothered about the image that you portray.
Carry out a dry run at the same time of day to test the light in the room. Does the glare affect your image, do you need to close the curtains or turn on the lights? Don’t leave it to the last minute to realise that you are being blinded by the sunlight and squinting through your interview.
Prevent Technical Issues
Don’t let your interview get off to a bad start due to a technical issue. Run some tests before you conduct your interview checking things like connection strength, sound and camera angle.
Make sure your power unit is plugged in and so are your headphones or speaker and microphone.
Check your screen name. Being called “Card Shark” on screen is great if playing poker with the friends but not so in an interview.
Make sure you know how to turn off screen filters. Sitting in the Simpsons living room or in space might be fun when talking to family, but not so during an interview.
Click here
for a great example of what can go wrong
Tell Cohabitants and Lock The Door
Interruptions can be stressful and knock you off your stride, make sure everyone knows that you are having an interview so not to interrupt or make loud noise.
Dress To Impress
Dress as you would if you were attending a face-to-face interview. The need to impress doesn’t change because it’s not in person.
Wear Dark Colours: Consider how your clothes show up on camera. Generally, dark colours are best for this, avoiding busy patterns and stripes.
Prepare As You Would A Face To Face Interview
With a normal interview, it is imperative to have done preparation beforehand, and a digital interview should be no different. Research the company, the market and prepare for any questions that you may be asked.
Top Tip - If you have any notes that you are planning to use in the interview, rather than laying them on the table in front of you, stick them up on the wall behind the computer so you are still facing at the screen / camera whilst you are reading them. Its also easier than having to search through a pile of paper when being asked a question.
Have A Natural Conversation
The conversation should be no different to as if you were in person. Avoid disrupting the natural flow by restrict yourself from reading from notes as it’s something you wouldn’t do in a normal interview setting.
Ask Questions
Have some questions ready for the end of the interview and make sure you get clarity on what the next steps are before you finish.
Smile
You want to make a good impression, so keep eye contact and smile!
Good Luck!
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