Five Tips for Acing Your Video Interview

Chances are good that at some point you’ll be asked to do a video interview. Cheryl Conner of Forbes says research shows video interviewing is up 49% since 2011 and that 6 in 10 HR Managers now use video to interview candidates.

If the thought of video interviewing is somehow both appealing and petrifying to you, fear not. We’ve compiled five main tips to help you ace your video interview:

Find a quiet place with a great internet connection. If your home is not that place, ask a friend or your local library for access to a private room, or try a quiet corner of a university campus. You’ll need a spot with relative privacy, low noise, good lighting, and a strong Wi-Fi signal. Background noise and distractions will create unnecessary delays, cause you to lose focus, and even mess with your confidence – none of which is ideal for an interview. Dogs barking, kids crying, doorbells ringing, cats on the keyboard…all scenarios you should take steps to avoid during your interview.

Be professional. Video interviews can feel more casual than in-person interviews, but you still need to be well-prepared, professionally dressed, and in an appropriate setting. Consider what will be visible to the interviewer in the background while you are interviewing. Don’t interview in a bathroom, or from your bed, and make sure whatever is visible is appropriate. In a video interview, you are essentially inviting your interviewer into your personal space, so arrange that space accordingly.

Pro-tip: Prop up your laptop with books or something else solid and level, so that the camera lens is at your eye level. This will be a more natural and flattering angle for you. 

Articulate your words and speak a little slower than normal. Picture and audio can be a little spotty in video chats, so it’s even more difficult to understand someone who speaks too quickly or mumbles. Because there can often be a delay between speech and broadcast, be sure to allow your interviewer to fully complete each sentence, wait a couple seconds, and then respond.

By that same token, if you are having a tough time hearing or understanding your interviewer, speak up as soon as possible. Don’t bluff your way through it or try to guess what is being said. It is imperative that you hear the questions precisely as they are asked to show your comprehension and formulate your best answers. Politely interrupt and let your interviewer know you are having trouble hearing them properly. If a few basic adjustments to your audio settings do not improve the situation, suggest continuing the interview over the phone.

Pro tip: Headphones do wonders for reducing echo and background noise, and for making your voice clearer and easier to hear.

Allow time before your interview for set up, and have a backup plan. As you may have experienced once or twice, technology does not always cooperate. Install and test whatever software you’ll be using, before interview day. On interview day, give yourself at least ten minutes before the actual interview begins to get your equipment, and yourself, situated.

Video calls use up a lot of battery power, so it a good idea to keep your laptop plugged in. You should also have your fully-charged cell phone and its charging cord on hand in case the video interview needs to become a phone interview.

Do a test run with a friend. If possible, do the video call with them from the same location you have chosen for the interview. Ask them about the picture and audio quality on their end. Play with the lighting, adjust the settings on your speaker and mic, and get comfortable with the video chat software you will be using. Ask your friend what is visible to them, other than you, in the room. Practice answering several questions, and get feedback on both your body language and your answers.

Pro tip: As a rule, light should shine onto your face, not from behind you. Natural light has the best effect, so face a window if you can. Otherwise, place a lamp in front of your laptop to brighten up your face and enhance picture quality.

Video interviews are just one of the convenient options we provide candidates at Advent Group. To learn more about our stress-free (and dare we say, enjoyable?) application and interview process, click here.

For even more tech tips on preparing for your video interview, check out this great article by Leslie Zaikis on Skillcrush.

Article sources:
The Essential Digital Interview Handbook, Paul J. Bailo
Forbes.com
Skillcrush.com
PGi infographic

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