Managing Your Video Interviews Like A Pro!

Since the pandemic clampdown, Zoom, WebEx, Skype, and other video tools have become the sine qua non for conducting “in-person” video sessions as a proxy to onsite interviews of the yesteryear. The pandemic has now lasted for more than a year and it is likely that this mode of interviewing and to conduct business meetings will continue unabated even after the clampdown is lifted. 

Although not a perfect proxy for the in-person meetings or job interviews, video meetings come pretty close. For many, this is still an awkward medium because on their own screen they see themselves speaking and interacting with the party at the other end and to some this makes them uncomfortable, even intimidates them, much as they do when they hear their own recorded voice. The best antidote for this apprehension is to get used to this mode of human interaction, especially for interviews because there is much riding on delivering a successful interview and demonstrating your “video presence.” You can even leverage this to your advantage.

So, what are some of the tips that can make your interview presentation more effective—even surpassing your in-person performance—using a video channels like Zoom or WebEx? Here are some tried and true techniques to differentiate yourself from others, who are novices at this and to give you an edge: 

1.     Avoid inflicting motion sickness: The best set up for a video interview or call is to have your computer or device (including your smartphone) on a firm surface. Stick your smartphone in its charging stand (while also ensuring that you do not run out of juice at a critical time) giving it a firm platform. Some have a habit of placing their laptop in the lap or on their stomach as they are reclining in their lounge chair or even in their bed (yes, bed!). On your stomach, the device is now undulating as you breathe and at the other end this comes across as if the person is struggling on a heaving boat riding on the ocean waves, possibly making them suffer motion sickness. Even worse happens when you hold that device in your hand and pace up and down in your work area; a very bad idea.

 2.     Have a Wi-fi back-up: During a critical video call either the power or your internet connection can suffer problems, disconnecting you in the middle and leaving you stranded. You can show your preparedness without losing a beat by having a battery-powered device (laptop or a smartphone) as a back-up in case of power outage and using your smartphone’s hotspot to restore an ISP outage. For this make sure that your Wi-fi service provider and your smartphone carriers are different. Such preparedness can leave a positive impression on the interviewer at critical times about your foresight in contingency planning and your ability to not get rattled by such surprises. 

 3.     Make eye contact: Maintaining eye-to-eye contact with the interviewer is critical in making that connection with the person on the other end. During video interviews the normal inclination is to keep looking at the interviewer’s face on your screen because it is the natural point of focus. Instead, your focus should be on the camera, typically located at the top of your screen (for a desktop or a laptop), but it requires conscious effort. In the pictures below you can see the difference between how it looks to the person on the other end of the video call when you are looking at your screen Vs. when you are talking into the camera. Develop this habit of looking into the camera 80-90% of your time during the interview; it can make a big difference in how you are able to engage with the other person. These two photos are taken from an article posted by TED’s Brian Goldberg, who coaches TED speakers. 

 The first two photos (same shots, one magnified) at the top show clear eye-contact when the interviewee is looking directly into the camera. The third photo down shows when she is looking at the screen and is not making the eye contact, although her broad smile makes up for some of that lost eye contact.

4.     Stay in the frame: Make use of the inset on your screen that shows how you are situated in your own video frame. Try centering your top part (above your shoulders) so that the interviewer can focus on you. It is easy to wander off the frame as you write or take notes or are searching for something to keep you on track. Keep looking at the inset to position yourself well.  

5.     Vocal variety and weight: Avoid monotone and practice vocal variety to manage your delivery. It is normal for such interviews to be sitting down, which makes it difficult to manage your register (the compass or range of human voice), which is driven by the source from where you derive your breath to articulate sounds. The three typical areas are your throat, your chest, and your diaphragm. Normally, it is easy to project your voice from your diaphragm for effect when you are standing up and moving about on a stage. So, if you’re sitting down, make sure that you are using the air coming from your diaphragm to project your sound with gravitas. Sounds produced by upper parts of your body tend to have increasingly higher pitch—making you come across as anxious or nervous—and are less impactful. Also, pressing your feet hard on the floor can help you lower the pitch for a deeper voice, which adds weight and authority to your voice. If you naturally have a higher-pitch sound use slower pace, more vocal variety, and pauses to enhance the effect of your delivery. It takes confidence and practice to be able to do this. 

  6.     Manage your slides: Managing slides and their content can be a major factor in how your overall presentation comes across. A few simple slides that display uncluttered information in a clear and easy-to-understand manner can carry the day. Also, how long you keep a particular slide on the screen as you talk through its content can decide on the impact you make with your message. A busy slide left on the screen as you are talking through a topic, not on point, can cause you to lose your audience, as they keep their focus on not what you are saying but what the slide is telling them as they dig through its busy content. Also, keeping the content of each slide telegraphic and orally expounding on the text can be a better way to modulate your message to suit the audience and the flow. Telegraphic bullets give you an ability to improvise your text and delivery, depending on the information flow. Impactful graphics or visuals are always a better replacement for crowded text because you can tailor the message around a visual to fit the purpose. Avoid putting crowded Word or text files on the screen. 

7.     Rehearse to avoid reading notes: Since you have the control over your space during a video interview it is normal to think that you can refer to your notes and other aids as you navigate through the interview. If you are constantly referring to your notes or Googling a query as you respond to an interviewer’s question it is hard to hide that sideshow. In fact, some companies will disqualify you if they suspect that you are Googling to check on a response they are looking for during your interview. So, spend the time to internalize your notes and be very prepared and confident with your material. It is OK to have some Post-It notes with key words to remind you of some points, but do not use them as a crutch. Rehearse thoroughly practicing with mock sessions and use few mnemonics during your interview to avoid giving the impression that you need to look things up. 

8.     The right background: Background can play a big role in how effective your interview goes. It is typical to have bookshelves lined with books as a background to show the interviewer how studious you are and how you keep up with current affairs in your area of work. The problem with that visual is the interviewer may spend time reading the titles of the books in your library than paying attention to what you are saying. Avoid stark backgrounds (white walls) by hanging some art that is not distracting or putting up some artificial background that is neutral. Zoom allows fake background scenes from different geographic areas (San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge, the Statue of Liberty in the New York harbor, etc.). Make sure that you do not pick a beach scene from Hawaii or Monte Carlo to show how relaxed you are; that may go against you. 

9.     Lighting: Poor lighting can significantly degrade the quality of your interview. The light must shine on your face and must not come from behind you. A background light can make your face dark and will not show your facial expressions as you present your narrative. In fact, face is about the most important part that the interviewer will see, other than perhaps your hands, compared to how you may appear to them in an in-person interview, where you can use most of your upper body to project your body language to augment your message. So, make sure that you are sitting in front of a good source of light and that your background augments your face. Even with direct light on your face, eliminate any bright spotlights that may be behind you on the wall or embedded in the ceiling; they can be distracting.  

 10.  Body Language: Because of the quiddity of the video medium body language becomes important. In a face-to-face interaction the interviewer can see at least the upper part of your body—unless you are also nervously tapping your feet during the interview—so you are able to use that part to more effectively amplify your message with the right hand and body gestures, including your facial expressions. During a typical video interview what the interviewer sees is what is captured by the camera above your shoulders; so, your facial expressions, your hand gestures, and your posture become a defining statement of the authenticity of your verbal narrative. Learning to keep the eye contact (read #3 again) by staring into your camera most of the time, showing ready expressions on your face, and using hand gestures (“there are three factors that drive this project” holding three fingers in front of your face as you talk through these three factors) can greatly amplify your message and its effect, much more than just talking about these three factors in a monotone without the companion body gestures. A genuine smile at appropriate times is also a good way to show your confidence and your flow throughout the interview.

 11.  Close the door: Since you are in an “uncontrolled” environment at home anything can get in the way during an interview: a big dog walks into your room, a delivery person is banging on your front door, your gardener is blowing the leaves with a noisy leaf blower drowning out your voice, among other such surprises that can easily throw you off and derail your rhythm. So, tell your family about the interview call and shut the door to better manage what happens in those precious 45 mins.

12.  Exude Confidence: Showing genuine confidence during an interview greatly amplifies your message and makes you a more desirable candidate. Learn how to project the right amount of confidence and humility to win the interviewer over. This is something that needs practice and conscious attention to conquer. Smiling at the appropriate places and being at ease go a long way in projecting your self-assured manner and confidence; work on it! Do not be intimidated by the position gap between yourself and the executive interviewing you. Show respect, but always be yourself; do not behave in a self-condescending way.  

Interviews are a critical step in the job-selection process. Learn how to make a bigger impact with the knowledge of these factors to improve your chances of acing the interview and getting that offer you are after!

Good luck!