How to Nail a Video Interview
Been asked to complete a video interview or have one scheduled? Want to make it a success? Never faced a video interview before? No worries, this post is all about the video interview and how to ace it.
As more employers implement virtual collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams for virtual meetings, it makes sense that employers also use that technology for the interviewing process as well. Video interviewing has been a growing trend to save recruiting time and travel cost, but the 2020 pandemic has expanded the use of video interviewing exponentially. It is now a critical skill in the job search process. In fact it is so common, within our Love Sunday Nights Online Workshop we partner with a video-interviewing tool called Wedge, to help our students both get better at nailing a video interview and improve their interviewing skills in general.
For the candidates, interviews are already a bit awkward, and this trend can make being assessed a bit more nerve-racking. Especially, if this is your first-time, or you are not used to doing any video interactions from your home. So, how can you nail a video interview? We’ll help you prepare for this process with quick set of tips and tricks.
First, there are two types of video interviews:
A Recorded Screening interview is between just you and your computer. You’ll be provided a link, when when you click on it you are brought to a website where you can record with your computer camera and microphone your answers to the screening questions. These are usually short (5-10 questions) and your answers are timed to be less than a few minutes. So time management is critical to ensure the assessor on the other end hears your best message. Sometimes they allow retakes and sometimes they don’t.
A Live Interview is with a recruiter or hiring manager over a video meeting application. In this format you will engage just like you do face-to-face except it is virtual. You will be provided a link and be brought straight into a 2-way meeting where they can see you and you can see the assessor.
For both of these video interview formats, many of the same strategies will ensure your success. There are many things you should keep in mind before and during any video interview which may affect your overall success. These things include body language, properly working tech, eye-contact, proper and clean background, appropriate dressing etc. These small details all combine to ensure you will ace your video interview. We have organized the tips into three steps: Set Up Your Environment, Make A Good Impression on Video, and Make the Tech Work For You.
Set Up Your Environment
Choose a place where you are comfortable.
Choose a place where you are comfortable to talk and give the video interview without any hesitation. There have been stories of people that attended a video interview in their current employer’s conference room and were whispering while giving the answers to questions. Not only is whispering hard to hear, it demonstrates an integrity issue to use a current employer’s space to talk to a potential new employer.
Set the scene.
Before a video interview, you should set up the on-camera view to be attractive. Your computer or phone should be at the perfect position. The chair and the computer table should be at the proper height so that your face is directly seen by the person on the other side. So, make sure that your whole face is perfectly viewable by the interviewer.
Take care of the lighting.
Lighting can be tricky on camera. The room where you are giving the video interview should be well lit. Also ensure you are not sitting directly in front of a light source like a window or bright lamp. This can make you appear like a shadow of your true-self. Also make sure are in a well-lit room with ideally, overhead lighting, a dim room can make it hard to see facial expressions.
Remove any distractions or interruptions.
Many people think that only their face will be seen by the interviewer. Remember, just like a video call not only your face is visible but a little background is also visible. To avoid a distracting background, just clean your background before the interview. Some applications allow you to blur your background, but you can’t count on that being available. In addition, ensure no other person will be roaming around behind you as it can leave a negative impression. Also, make sure that the place is quiet. There is no sound of barking dogs, shouting people or playing children which can eventually distract the interviewer and you too. And do not do an interview from a coffee shop! Grinding coffee and clinking cups is very distracting.
2. Make a Good First Impression on Video
Dress to impress.
You should dress in the same way as if you were going to an in-person interview. Because the first thing is that your top is seen by the person on the other side and the second thing is that dressing properly for a video interview just like the normal interview will boost your confidence. However, there are a few things to consider because you are on film. Prints are distracting, all black or white can also be distracting. And lastly, make sure you are not wearing a monochrome outfit that matches the background in front which you’ll be sitting. Lighting may look make your face shiny or oily on camera. Don’t forget to apply a little bit of powder on your face even if this is not your routine.
Make eye-contact.
Making an eye-contact during even a simple conversation is necessary. This behavior shows that you are actually interested in that person and listening to him carefully. In a video call, it may be tricky to do this like you would in-person. You must balance where you look between straight at the eyes of the assessor that is the center of your screen AND straight at the camera so you appear to be making eye contact with the assessor on their end. The closer your camera is to your screen the easier this is to do.
Stay calm and control nervous energy.
Many people are nervous during the interview because of the fear that they might be rejected or the interviewer would like them. These thoughts increase your anxiety and make you more nervous. So, just prep yourself for the interview before, sit with confidence, avoid fear and believe in yourself. Every person has some distracting habits that they do when they are nervous like biting nails, touching face, moving hands, twirling hair, sweating, tapping and so on. These habits look normal in person but these little habits do not look pleasing on a video chat. So, ask your friends and family what your habits are, believe me they know! Write yourself a sticky note to reference in the video call to avoid these tics!
Sit with proper posture.
People judge you just by your body language and posture alone. Proper posture is also important during a video interview. You should sit properly with your back straight and face in front of the screen. You should always place your feet on the ground and do not cross them as it will disturb your posture for the video interview. Also, neither bend forward or go back far from the computer, just sit in a balanced position. One more thing you need to remember is that do not show side angle of the face as it look odd on-camera.
Project a pleasant demeanor.
Smiling can ensure your are not frowning. Frowning or having a serious expression while you are thinking or listening intently isn’t a bad thing, but when you spend less time on a handshake and greeting in a video call vs in-person, you need to ensure that they see you smile and have a pleasant expression as well. Smiling a little bit will help you represents that you are comfortable and confident during the interview. Also, do not overdose your smile, or force laughter, this can be awkward. Just relax and focus on a pleasant and approachable demeanor.
Project confidence by practicing on camera.
Make sure you practice speaking into your webcam before going live on a video interview. You must have heard the saying “practice makes perfect”. So, is true in the case of a video interview. If you know that you have never done a camera interview so you don’t have the experience that how does it work and feel. So, it is the best thing to practice that before actually going for an interview. Just practice talking properly on camera by getting help from a friend. Just video call him/her and talk formally just like you are gonna speak to your interviewer. This will add to your confidence in a video setting.
3. Make the Tech Work For You
Prepare your tech.
Before going for a video interview just make sure that your computer or phone, microphone or headphones, and webcam are in proper working condition. Also, make sure that you have full control on your tech and you know and understand how your gadgets work. You need to avoid falling into a situation where you have to ask the interviewer “Can you hear me now?” as this is the most irritating thing that can happen during a video interview.
Test your internet connection.
The Internet plays the major role in a video interview as the working of the whole video is based on your internet speed and stability. So, make sure that your internet is working properly and your speed is not fluctuating and you are close to your wi-fi router or using an ethernet cable to ensure a stable connection.
Close other applications on your computer.
Before the interview starts, make sure that you have closed all the other applications such as facebook, whatsapp, emails etc. Any pop-up notifications from your apps or email can disturb your interview. This can also ensure your internet connection is only being used to support your video call and not also supporting background processes. Also silence your phone so that also is not a distraction.
Use your notes.
The benefit of a video interview is that you can keep notes or anything with you just in case you need them. You can keep some important notes with you, like a resume, a page summarizing key stories you often use to highlight skills, and the numbers that show results you have achieved. Using notes will mean you do not have to memorize everything you want to mention.
