How to prepare for a video interview?

Detailed Video on this Article

If you’re among the many people who are camera shy, it’s time to take steps to fix that. Your next job could depend on it, and not because we predict you’ll switch careers and get into movies or broadcasting anytime soon. It’s because video chat platforms are poised to change the way employers connect with job candidates. For FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Skype Interview Tips read on to learn how to put your best face forward.

Since video interviews are typically faster, easier, and more cost-effective than an in-person meeting or long phone call, many companies are now using them to expedite the hiring process.

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re meeting the hiring manager for the first time via webcam in your living room.

But there are ways to set yourself up as best you can and boost your confidence for your time on screen.

In today’s episode, we will look at 10 tips on how to Ace a Video Interview.

1. Double-check your audio, video, and internet connection

Always test your video and audio right before an interview to ensure everything is working properly. Just because it worked a month ago doesn’t mean it’s going to work today, and you don’t want to risk the headache or embarrassment of technology issues during a conversation with a potential employer.

A stable wireless connection is also essential, so be sure to choose a location where you know spotty connections won’t disrupt your video.

2. Pick a distraction-free background

You want the focus to be on your face and what you’re saying during the interview, so choosing a clear background that’s business-like and free of distractions is key.

Avoid windows and walls full of pictures, posters, or knickknacks. Clear all books and clutter off your desk — basically, you want to eliminate anything that could draw the interviewer’s attention away from you. If you can’t find a good backdrop at your office or at home, then just use a solid wall.

“You want a clean, sterile environment when you’re doing a video interview,”

“The main thing you’re trying to do in an interview is communicate on a human level, so you have to make it easy for people to focus in on you. 

3. Make sure you’re in a well-lit room and the interviewer can see you clearly

Pay attention to the lighting. You want the interviewer to be able to see your face clearly, so try a test video beforehand to make sure lights aren’t casting any shadows on your face. People often have just one overhead light shining down on them from the ceiling, but this creates shadows and can be unflattering.

Aim to have one light coming from behind you, one light on your right, and one light on your left to create a glow around you.

4. Position the camera at the same height as the top of your head

Where do you look during a video interview? It’s one of the most common questions people have, and it’s easy to get thrown off if you’re not used to video chatting. Although it may not feel natural at first, you want to speak to the camera, not the screen.

Always position your camera at eye-level, not above or below you. “The angle is so critical,” . “You don’t want the camera looking up your nose, and you don’t want the camera looking down at you. The psychology behind it is if I’m looking down at the camera, I’m looking down at the hiring manager, and they feel subservient.”

5. Frame yourself from the chest up

Showing yourself from the waist or chest up is generally recommended for video interviews, so you don’t look like a floating head. You don’t want to be so close to the camera that the interviewer can count your nose hairs.

The triangle formed from the top of your head down to your shoulders is the focal point, because all of your communication is going to be coming from your face — your emotion, your expression, your smiling — and that’s what’s going to get you the job.

6. Dress for the job you want

While it may be tempting to do the interview sans pants with your nicest shirt, resist that urge. You want to dress exactly as if you were going for an interview in person. This can have a strong effect on your mindset, and if you’re too comfortable in the boxers or sweatpants you’re rocking out of frame, that will come through in your attitude and speech.

You always want to look your best for an interview, so wash your face, brush your teeth, comb your hair, and prepare the same as you would for an in-person meeting. Your dress and level of formality should match the industry for which you’re interviewing; if the job is at a firm where workers wear suits every day, you should wear a suit for your video interview.

Keep makeup natural-looking, and avoid wearing too much jewelry, which can be distracting and catch light from the wrong angle. Choose clothing colors that complement your skin tone, and make sure your clothing melds well with the background as well.

7. Keep your body language open

Just as with an in-person interview, it’s important to be cognisant of your body language in order to leave a positive impression on the interviewer.

It’s fine to gesture while you speak, but be careful to keep your hand movements contained and within the video frame, and be aware that your gestures aren’t always going to translate over video the same way they would in person.

It’s also crucial to maintain a pleasant facial expression during the interview. “You’re creating an image of yourself as soon as you turn on your camera. “You want the person to like you and hire you, so smile! If you look frozen or scared for your life, why would they hire you?”

8. Don’t rely on notes

It’s smart to have a copy of your resume nearby, just as you would during an in-person interview, but don’t be tempted to have a cheat sheet in your lap, such as a list of answers to common interview questions. “It’s too tempting to check it and you don’t want to be looking down,” .

There are exceptions, though—for example, saying to an interviewer, “I’m looking away for a second so that I can find the data from that project I worked on” is totally fine.

DON’T Read Off of Your Computer Screen

Because you’re in a video interview, you may think it’s okay to write out answers to potential interview questions or map out other responses on your screen for reference. Stay away from this!

Instead, it’s all about preparing and practicing your answers beforehand so that they sound natural when you’re in your interview. Work on responses to behavior-based questions

9. Eliminate Distractions

Close the door and windows in your room. Shut off the TV down the hall. Silence your cell phone (unless you’re using it for the conference, see tip #7 below). “And make sure the only window open on your computer screen is the video platform you are using,” .“Silence all pop-ups. The last thing you want is to lose your train of thought

10. Check the Time Zone

Interviewing for remote work? Your would-be New York employer may well have forgotten the time difference in California when he set up the call. Double-checking the time zone of the meeting “could be the difference between showing up on time or being three hours late,”.

Speaking of timeliness, the jury’s out on whether you should dial in early. While being the first person on the call makes you look like a go-getter, it can also be awkward if multiple interviewers are joining on the other end. Being early may not be a bad thing, but it’s more critical that you aren’t late.

Finally, end the interview by thanking your interviewer – and make sure you’ve closed the program or app before you breathe a sigh of relief! As with any interview, you can send a follow-up email later that day or the day after.

It’s totally normal to feel anxious or nervous before any job interview – and video interviewing can feel strange if you haven’t done it before. But by practicing, preparing, and getting familiar with the format, you’ll be ready to make a great impression on-screen.

Good luck and we wish you the best of luck for your next video Interview

For more Interview Tips, Tricks & Tactics connect here -> Video