Video interviews have been around for a long time now and is often the norm for Global companies who hire for a variety of locations across the world. Now with Covid-19 changing how we work daily, it is also changing how people hire in our local communities.
As more hiring managers get accustomed to using technology for remote interviewing, video interviewing may become the norm in the future for first stage interviews. So now is a good time to hone your video interviewing knowledge and skills.
Here are the Top 5 Tips For a Successful Video Interview
1. Prepare like you would for an in person interview
- Research the company beforehand, know their purpose, their culture, their product or service Research the leadership team, knowing who the key players are and their background will give you insight into the company and its vision
- Know your resume inside and out, be prepared to answer questions from our resume like dates, gaps, education, key accomplishments
- Be prepared to answer behavioral type interview questions
2. Dress professionally for the interview
- Dress as you would for an in person interview
- Dressing professionally shows that you are interested in the position, you are the taking process seriously and studies say you will perform better in the interview
- Dressing professionally also allows you to stay focused and confident during the interview
3. Test run your technology
- Test your technology the day before and the morning prior to your interview
- Make sure everything is in working order, your internet connection is strong, your camera is working
- Make sure your mic is working and sound is on
- Know your angles, make sure your camera is focused on you, not too close or far, not at an angle where they can only see your chin or the top of your head
- Do a test run with a friend
- Make eye contact with the camera not the picture of yourself
- Your microphone will pick up noise like paper shuffling, keyboarding
- Sign in 3 to 5 minutes before it starts, don’t be late
4. Set the Stage!
- What’s in the background of your video interview? In your test run you’ll see what is behind you, is it a pile of laundry and an unmade bed?
- Make the background simple, a wall with a plant behind you, you want the interviewer to focus on you, not be distracted by what is behind you on the screen
- Make sure your desk is clean and not cluttered
- Lighting is important as well, too bright or too dark will make the camera constantly adjust and will be unfocused.
5. Remain Confident, Calm, Sharp and Focused
- This is a private meeting and you want to remain calm and focused
- Tape a sign on the closed door – “In a Job Interview” let everyone in your household know you are in a video job interview and to wait to make that smoothie, turn on music or enter the room until after you have finished your interview.
- If you have a lock on the door, use it
- Have someone take the dog for a walk, if possible, barking dogs will distract you and the interviewer. Cats are cute, but when’s the last time you brought your cat to a job interview? (okay, if it’s for a Vet or the SPCA, sure!)
BONUS TIP – Cause we all love bonuses!
- Write down all the names of the interviewers on a notepad in front of you and have a printed copy of your resume in front of you so that you don’t get stumped when asked random questions about what is on your resume!
- If you have a copy of the Job Description, have that in front of you too, you can ask questions related to the job and stay focused.
- Remember to thank the interviewers for their time and let them know you are interested in the job 🙂
Good Luck, Happy Interviewing and Land that Great Job!