Showing your best self during a video interview

It's the start of November - most of you final years will have crammed many a night to get your applications for the various grad programmes in on time. As I just went through the experience of being filmed myself a few days ago, I was reminded of how terrifying it can feel when you are on camera. So, my #challengetoday is to pass on some core tips for showing your best self during a video interview.

1) Prepare your surroundings - one of the core things you want to make sure of is that you are in an undisturbed and quiet environment so that you can be clearly understood. Pay attention to your background. The less there is in the background, the more a listener can focus on what you are saying and does not have their attention drawn to something else. I also recommend to make sure you reduce noise wherever possible - maybe pick a time when you are the only one at home and can control that there won't be music playing all of a sudden. The calmer your environment, the calmer it will hopefully make you feel as well. Check the lighting in the room as well - you want to make sure that you can be seen clearly and "in the best light".

2) Prepare your hardware - if you are using a laptop, make sure it is in a secure location and the camera captures you in the centre of the screen. I personally always struggle when I have to look down at a camera, rather than keeping my head straight and looking at it at eye level. Find a position that is comfortable and where the camera can capture you properly. Make sure your sound and video work. Normally, each video interviewing platform will test your equipment and will give you an indication as to whether it captures sound and video or not. I also recommend, you pin a picture of somebody you really care about next to the camera so that it can feel a bit more like a conversation with a loved one.

3) Prepare your knowledge - Make sure you read the instructions in the invite to your video interview and follow them. It's best to get a video interview right the first time, rather than have to repeat, because there was something important in the instructions that you might have missed. Brush up on the role, competencies and values for the organisation you are applying to. The questions in the video interview will likely ask you for examples of when you demonstrated your skills in light of what you would be doing in your future grad role or your fit with the organisational culture. You normally have up to a minute to prepare your answer so will not have any time to read up on the areas you are asked about. My recommendation is to practice a few answers to questions you can anticipate already.

4) Prepare yourelf - My recommendation is to wear something smart that makes you feel good about yourself and boosts your self-confidence. Then sit up straight, relax and smile. Get comfortable with this feeling before you do anything else. You want to make sure you can portray your calm and relaxed self on camera, too.

Once the video interview starts, keep the following in mind:

• Trust in what the other side knows already. For example, your CV and cover letter will be on file, so you don't need to introduce yourself, which gives you more time to answer the question.
• Keep your answers short and concise - it is better to have time left than to run out of time.
• Answer the question - to score well, you will need to demonstrate strong examples to the questions asked. Focus on providing strong and concise examples and use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to guide your answer.
• Smile – find ways to make this feel natural so that the other side can get a sense of how engaging you are.

You can do this. It sounds and initially feels worse than it is. You will do great! Good luck with it. Your #challengetoday: prepare well for a #healthier(videointerview)tomorrow