The interview process is always daunting to job seekers, no matter how experienced you are. Video interviews are becoming a common practice in hiring, as more companies are using HR technology tools to be more efficient in the way they recruit new talent. Some of the most common video platforms that companies use for job interviews are Skype, FaceTime and Google Hangouts.
here are some video interview tips to help you get started:
1. be ready to provide evidence of your skills
During a face-to-face interview, you will usually need to bring with you some documents such as your resume or portfolio to show and discuss your abilities and skills with the hiring manager. A video interview is no different.
You should prepare relevant documents either on your desktop or in an open tab on your browser, and have the printed copy in front of you for easy reference. This way, if you’re asked to share anything during the interview, you won’t have to ask for time to find it.
You can even keep a document that details your biggest achievements handy, in case you need a reminder of what to say during the interview.
2. focus on the job interview
Before and during the entire process of the video interview, make sure that you close all the unnecessary tabs and programs in the background. This keeps your device clear of anything that could potentially compromise you if you’re asked to share your screen. Screen sharing during a video call interview is common for roles in development and creative functions, as you might be asked to demonstrate your coding skills or showcase your creative portfolio.
Take note of the environment in which you choose to have your video interview. You should make sure that you’re in a quiet environment and lock the room door to avoid having a friend or family member enter the room during the FaceTime or Skype interview.
Some hiring managers have shared with us that some of the candidates have chat windows open to ask their friends for help during the interview or search for answers online. These actions could call your credibility into question. You don’t want to jeopardise your chances of getting the job, so make sure that you’re prepared for the interview beforehand and pay full attention to the interviewer.
3. have a positive body language
Just because it is not a face-to-face interview doesn’t mean that you don’t need to upkeep your professionalism and personality. After all, the first impression matters greatly.
Body language can help to maintain your calm demeanour, so keep it open and approachable. Don’t forget to smile and use the opportunity to showcase your personality, which can help you establish a connection with the interviewer.
Maintain eye contact with your interviewer - even though this can be tricky when you’re doing so through a screen. Experts advise that you need to find a balance between looking at the image of your interviewer on the screen and addressing yourself directly to the camera.
4. dress professionally
Wearing the right outfit can boost your self-confidence and puts in the right mindset for a formal interview, so make sure you’re dressed professionally for the video interview. It’s important not to neglect the bottom half of your body, as many candidates do when taking part in a video interview. You don’t want to be caught in your shorts when you’re asked to stand up to deliver a presentation.
5. practice with the video system
One way to help settle your nerves before the job interview video is to make sure you have thoroughly tested the required technical set up.
Log in ahead of the interview to figure out if you’ll encounter any password issues, network problems or other concerns that you may not have anticipated. If you’re required to sign in on a video platform that you haven’t logged on for a period of time or do not have an account with, give yourself ample time to create an account or new password before the actual job interview.
If you are using a laptop, make sure that it is fully charged and that both the speaker and microphone are working properly. You could also record yourself answering potential job interview questions and watch the replay to determine if you need to amend your body language or eye contact. You should also ensure that you do not have too many tabs and windows open to avoid your video freezing during the interview.
Use this time to make sure that you’re positioned properly on the screen so that the interviewer will see you at your best angle. Camera angles are very important during video screening interviews. You shouldn’t be looking up or down at the person you’ll be addressing.
You should also make sure that the user profile that is linked to the video conference program is up to date and professional. Get rid of nicknames or statuses that are stuffed with emojis, and replace any unflattering or inappropriate profile pictures. You want to be taken seriously as a competent professional, instead of coming across as being too immature or frivolous.
6. judge cultural fit
Asking the right questions during the interview can help you work out what the company culture is like and if their values are aligned with yours.
It is also a good time to consider what your priorities are when looking for an employer. For example, if what’s important to you is career development, ask about their learning and development programmes and training options. If culture matters more, you can find out how your prospective manager would motivate their team. If having the latest technology is critical to your work, you can ask about the hardware and software that the company uses to ascertain if they meet your needs.
Video job interviews are no doubt nerve-wracking, but they have significant advantages.
You won’t run the risk of being late after getting stuck in traffic, and you can even choose to take the interview at a setting that you’re most comfortable in.
Remembering the benefits can help you stay calm during the process and acting on the above tips should give you the confidence to nail that video interview.