The Dos and Don'ts of Video Interviews

Due to the current health crisis, video interviews have become more and more popular. The use of video interviewing has risen 96% since March 1, 2020. With video being one of the only safe platforms for interviews, you must do the right things before, during, and after the video interview to stand out.

After witnessing and hearing about successes and failures, I put together a list of dos and don’ts for your next video interview. 

Video Interview Dos

Always Dress Appropriately

Just because you’re on video, in the comfort of your own home, doesn’t mean you should show up in your favorite hoodie, pajamas, or t-shirt. You should treat video interviews as if they’re in-person, and dress the same way you would if you were showing up to the company’s office. Do some research into the dress code of the office, and try to imitate that same style or go slightly more dressed up.

Always Have a Professional Background

Aside from looking at you, the only other thing for an interviewer to notice is your background. Make sure your environment isn’t messy or distracting, and do your best to avoid making it visible if you’re taking the call from your kitchen, dining room, bedroom, or bathroom. Specific indicators would be showing a bed in the background, or taking the call from the bed. NEVER do a video interview from your bedroom or bathroom. (Yes, I’ve had people do that!). It immediately sets an unprofessional tone for the call, not to mention shocking. The last thing you want is your background to steal the Spotlight over you.

Always Test Out The Video Platform

Once your interview is scheduled, look into the platform you’ll use for the call. If there’s anything you need to download or install, do that a day before the call. You don’t want to show up late to the request, or worse, not be able to get into the call on time because you didn’t install your technology first. Some popular video platforms you might come across are Zoom, GoToMeeting, Facetime, and Skype, just to name a few.

Always Test Your Audio and Video

Not only do you want to test out the video platform in advance, but you’ll also want to make sure the audio and video are ready to go to be seen and to see the interviewer. Do a quick test of your audio and video to make sure they are both working correctly. Doing this in advance will give you time to troubleshoot any issues so you can be prepared to take the call.

Always Find a Strong Internet Connection

With all video interviews being performed from home and everyone in the building or neighborhood on the internet, it can be slow. Even if you say all the right things, having an internet connection that is lagging is most likely going to frustrate the person interviewing you. Odds are, they also won’t be able to catch everything that you’re saying in your answers.

Always Send a Thank You Note

Even though a video interview doesn’t feel the same as an in-person one, you’re still taking time out of the interviewer’s day so that they can give you a shot at a job. Making a good impression on that person is crucial, and sending a thank you note via email is typically expected, and sometimes secretly required to move forward in their process.

Video Interview Don’ts

Don’t Take the Call in a Loud Setting

The content of your answers is likely going to be what determines if you move forward. However, if the person can’t hear your answers, or only hears part of them, you won’t be able to represent yourself fully. Remove roommates, animals, and children from the room and bribe them to be quiet. Also, it can be very distracting if there’s too much background noise. So even if they can hear you through the noise, they might not be fully able to keep their attention on you. Make sure to scope out your call location ahead of time so you can determine if it’s too loud. Give yourself enough time to find a new place, or have a few backups just in case.

Don’t Move the Camera or Yourself too Much

                                                                                                                                                    Have you ever taken a video on your phone, and then when you replayed it, you realized how shaky your hand was? If you are using your phone for the call, don’t hold it in your hand if you can help it. Much like noise in the background, it can be very distracting or even make the person a little dizzy.

If you need to take the call on your phone, find a place where you can prop it, so it doesn’t shake.

Similarly, if you’re taking the call on a computer or laptop, make sure to keep it on a steady raised surface, so you are not staring the whole time downwards. I’ve had people take calls with their laptop on their lap, and it’s very shaky and can sometimes interfere with the audio. Plus, it makes your face look puffy.

Never Let a Reflection take the Spotlight

When you’re in an interview, make sure you don’t have a mirror behind you where an interviewer can see what is going on behind you, like your significant other or roommate in their underwear. It can come off unprofessional or distracting. This is your big shot, so you want all of the focus on you.

Never stand up or Leave The Video

Believe it or not, we’ve had people do an interview dressed professionally on their upper half and in shorts or underwear on the bottom half. Stay seated so the interviewer can see your face and torso only and make sure the video is over and ended entirely before you say anything. It sets a strange mood when the interviewer can hear your feedback or a bodily function that you have been holding in. 

Now, Lights, Camera, Action!

Now it’s your time to shine! Give interviewers a much-needed break from all the video fails they see, and really wow them with your preparation and professionalism. It would probably be beneficial to review this article and your checklist before taking any video interviews, so you know you’re putting your best foot forward.