Now that we’re all advised to stay at home, video job interviews are becoming increasingly common. You should prepare for video interviews in the same manner that you prepare for in-person interviews. The key is to appear confident and show your true self.
And although the goal is the same as in a traditional interview, there’s a major difference in the setting. It’s important to ensure that the environment will allow the interviewer to focus on your best qualities and not on the noises in the background.
If you have a video interview coming up, you should be familiar with all the variables involved to ensure a successful outcome. To help you with this, here’s the ultimate guide to nailing your video interview.
#1: Always Over Prepare
You need to be overly prepared for the job interview by doing enough research beforehand. Find out more details about the company and learn about the company culture and work environment so you will know the most appropriate answers to the interview questions.
It’s also a good idea to research the possible questions for applicants who are applying for the same position. Listen to interesting recruitment podcasts and gather ideas and tips from the HR recruitment experts that know everything there is to know about interviewing via the medium of video.
Understanding the history and background of the company you’re applying to is one way to make a good impression on the interviewer. Spend some time reading about the company through its official website.
Follow its social media accounts so you will be updated about the latest happenings in the company. Read news reports and press releases so you will have a solid understanding of the company’s operations. Familiarize yourself with the company’s goals and find out how you can contribute to help achieve these goals.
#2: Create Anchor Points
Consider making pre-interview notes. Prepare possible answers to the most common questions, such as “tell me about yourself”, “why are you interested in working for this company”, etc. Make bullet points about the key things you want to get across when answering these questions, so you will have something to refer to in case you get lost or go blank.
The notes should be off-camera and don’t make it too obvious every time you need to check the notes to pick up some important points.
Review the job description and familiarize yourself with the roles and responsibilities of the position that you are applying for. Think of the previous work experiences that you have that are related to these roles. Include this in your notes because you will most likely be asked about your previous work experiences.
To minimize the need to look up your notes during the interview, practice answering the questions beforehand. When asked to talk about yourself, the idea is for you to communicate who you are and what about yourself you think you can contribute to the company. Ask a friend or family member to run through the possible interview questions and practice answering them confidently.
#3: Set the Scene
The biggest difference between an in-person interview and a video interview is the environment. Instead of going to the company for the interview, you will not have to leave your home.
This is an advantage for those who often get nervous and anxious when going for in-person job interviews. Since you are in control of the environment, it is your responsibility to make it more appropriate for the interview. Remember that a proper environment is a key factor in the overall success of your job interview.
Look for a quiet and well-lit area in your home where you can sit down in comfort and not get distracted. But just because the interview will be on Skype does not mean that you can take the call from your bed. Remember, this is a job interview, so make your background look as professional as possible.
Choose a neutral colour for your background and avoid crowded places so your interviewer will not be distracted. More importantly, double-check your Internet connection, audio quality, camera angle, and computer battery, you don’t want to be running around your house mid-interview.
#4: No Interruptions
When preparing your space for the interview, look for a quiet place that’s free from any form of distractions. Sure, things could happen in life that we cannot avoid, but that is why you have to prepare ahead to avoid any distractions.
For instance, if you have small kids at home, ask someone to look after them, so you won’t be interrupted during your interview. Put your mobile phone in silent mode so you will not be disturbed in case someone calls.
Turn on your laptop at least 30 minutes before the interview. Make sure it’s fully charged and that you are connected to the Internet. Close all unnecessary windows or apps that could cause distraction.
Make sure you won’t receive irrelevant notifications, such as live updates of your favourite shows or the latest sales and promotions from your favourite online shops. Above all, dress appropriately in the same way that you would dress for a traditional in-person job interview.
#5: Strong Internet
It is crucial to ensure that your Internet connection is strong when preparing for a video interview. If your Internet is not reliable enough, you should get it replaced as soon as you can.
Look for a dependable Internet provider to ensure excellent quality on audio and video feeds. Remember that the last thing you want is to get cut off while you are trying to demonstrate your skills and abilities.
Electronics and embedded systems recruiters know that everyone can suffer from internet issues at some point but it’s one of the most frustrating issues for recruiters of video interviewing when a candidate’s internet cuts out, especially when they have a client on the call and they are interviewing for a tech or electronic position.
To avoid this test the speed of your Internet using websites like speedtest.net. This will provide both a download and an upload speed. If the interview is through Skype, the recommended speed is 1.5 Mbps for download and upload speed.
If your Internet connection at home is not reliable, you can also consider going to places with excellent Internet access, such as in the public library or Internet cafes.
Don’t forget to bring a headset if you’re going to have an interview in another place. Again, look for a place that’s quiet and free from any distractions. Avoid coffee shops, cafes, and other communal places because these places are obviously too noisy.
If you want to refine your interview technique, enrol in this online interview course.
Featured image credit: Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
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