Video Interview Better with Zetter

Video interviews are fast becoming an essential part of recruitment - even more so with the current Covid-19 pandemic. It is a great way for employers to meet potential candidates in a virtual interview setting and it is quickly becoming the new norm.

Practice makes perfect and to help you feel more comfortable and confident, we’ve put together 5 top tips to guide you through the process, so you can prepare and succeed at video interviews...

1.      Prepare your device!

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail…

• Decide which device you are going to use. We recommend using your phone if you can as the camera quality is often much better than a laptop/PC.
• Make sure the settings on the camera and microphone are enabled.
• Put your phone on the ‘do not disturb’ mode and mute all notifications.
• Any apps that are open in the background using the camera may cause difficulty connecting so make sure all apps are closed.
• Make sure you have updated your device with the latest IOS/equivalent. 

2.      Dress to impress

Remember – over 50% of a first impression is based on appearance.

• We find smart casual wear works best, i.e. a blouse or shirt
• Pyjamas/tracksuits/loungewear are a big no no!

3.      Consider the background

The environment that you are in will reflect a lot about you and your lifestyle.

• Where possible, aim for a plain/blank wall behind you and if possible, sit at a desk or a table as this will help to reflect an office environment and improve your posture.
• Light up the room. Use all the lighting you can to expose your face – natural lighting is even better.
• A cluttered background is very off-putting. If a plain/neutral wall is not possible, it is a good idea to remove any personal items such as ornaments, photos, clothes, files etc that will be visible in the video.
• Lighting is important but ensure it is working for you – i.e. not reflecting off your head or under your chin!
• Do not sit on the sofa or a bed and avoid noisy places, screaming children and barking dogs...

4.      Positioning

• Looking straight on with a good posture looks best. Have the camera positioned just above eye level and make sure you are looking at the interviewer – not the camera!
• To get a good position – try using a block of books to position a laptop or phone. This will help to keep the device sturdy during the interview.
• If using a phone, do not stand and hold it. Prop it up somewhere secure and consider the points above.
• Do not swing or rock on your chair (it is very distracting and makes you look nervous and uninterested).

5.      Keep it short & and to the point

• Practice answering typical interview questions and prepare answers that are short but effective.
• Talk through good examples – i.e. a client win example or account growth. This can be a great way to demonstrate your experience, understanding and approach in real life scenarios.
• Avoid talking through your whole career – that is what your CV is for. Prepare some recent examples.
• Try not to go off on a tangent, cover the main points concisely. A notepad with the main points written down may help you to stay on track.

For more tips and tricks or to set up a practice video interview - feel free to reach out directly to [email protected]