Ace your Video Interviews

A lot of organisations are using video interviews at some stage within the hiring process, but with this pandemic, you can certainly count on a video interview to be the norm in future. While some people are comfortable with the idea of interviewing via video, some still find it a struggle.

In my past many years of experience on being on the other side…here some tips I can pass on to candidates who are appearing for video interviews. Unquestionably, your knowledge of the subject matter is most vital.

·       Do the tool/equipment check before the interview (Zoom, Skype, Blue jeans etc) Ensure room has enough light, mic and the audio is working.

·        Check for connectivity, as video calls take a lot of bandwidth.

·       You never get a second chance to create your first impression, and that continues while we are on video call too. Please be appropriately dressed, smile, introduce yourself. (Please NO “Myself XYZ”)

·       Maintain eye contact through out the call.

·       Pay attention to your non-verbal cues, smile a bit, don’t be fidgety, avoid shaking your leg/arms etc.

·       If you’re nervous …tap your feet (1,2,3….) it helps reduce your rate of speech and calm your nerves.

·       Sit on chair with your laptop/tablet on the table. Please maintain an ideal posture. People who know about NLP will agree on how much a posture changes your thoughts and your voice.

·       Eliminate background noise, use a headset for clarity. Better though get into a room and close the door. These distractions tend to cut back your credibility a tad pinch.

·       Finally, be prepared for issues like latency and voice vacuums, so no harm in asking the interviewer to either repeat the question and paraphrase questions in case you’re unsure.

All the best for your interview!