Video interviews are becoming more common during the hiring process. Due to technological advances, many businesses are using video as an alternative to traditional interviews. So, how do you make sure that you’re a video interview pro? Preparation is key!
Set Up Your Interview Space
First, make sure you have a quiet place to hold your interview. If you plan on doing it at home, let your family or roommates know so that you won’t get interrupted. If you don’t have a quiet place or internet connection, you could book a study room at your local library. Once you have a designated location, make sure that your background is not distracting. Set up in front of a bare wall or remove posters and pictures if possible.
Now it’s time to set up your computer. You want to put your best foot forward, which means angles! If you open your laptop and start your interview with the wrong angle, you will appear to be looking down at the interviewer. Stack your laptop on top of books or boxes to bring the camera to eye level. This will make the conversation feel more natural while taking care of those unflattering angles.
Once your view is at eye level, the next thing to work on is lighting. Yes, this may seem a little overboard, but the effort makes a huge difference. Setting a lamp on each side of the computer and removing the shades helps remove shadows created by indoor lighting, while closing the blinds on any windows helps avoid shadows from the natural light.
Test Your Equipment
Download the interview app or software and create an account. This will prevent any technical issues and allow you to focus on your skills and qualifications rather than worrying about equipment. When creating your account, remember to keep everything professional; stay away from inappropriate user names and profile photos.
Test your camera and microphone prior to the interview to ensure they work well and that they are compatible with the interview app or software. Don’t forget to make sure that your connection is reliable; you don’t want your feed cutting in and out during your interview.
Practice Interviewing on Camera
Now that your space is finally set up and you’ve ensured your equipment is working properly, it’s time to get ready for the actual interview. Take a few minutes to practice interviewing on camera – either review your talking points with a friend in video chat or record yourself. Practice looking at the camera throughout the interview. This will create a sense of eye contact for the interviewer and make the connection typically made during an in-person interview. When you are practicing, pay attention to your volume and clarity, and listen for any echoes. It will help if you practice speaking at different volumes and enunciating your words. This will allow for the conversation to flow more smoothly without the dreaded “What did you say?” and having to repeat yourself.
Last Minute Tips
If you have skills and accomplishments you’d like to highlight or questions you want to ask, write short reminders on sticky notes and place them on the sides of your computer. This way, they are only a glance away.
Another helpful tip is to pick out your outfit the day before. This will keep you on track as you get ready on the day of the interview. Some people only {{cta(‘d50d0edb-244b-4af0-925e-a892f24fdba7’)}} from the waist up for interviews; however, dressing as if you were walking into the office will boost your confidence and keep you in the proper mind-set.
Now that you’re set up and ready for the camera, you still need to do all the {{cta(‘0f7b0fe9-703c-40b9-8851-833bfae1f99d’)}} for an interview, like researching the company, reviewing answers for {{cta(‘0c72968c-0f76-4b37-a313-33ab23f8b667’)}}, and making a list of questions to ask the interviewer. If you want to refine your interview skills further, click the button below to learn how to exude confidence by moving from nervous to natural!
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