Video interviews are the new normal. They're a great way for
employers to get to know you better and ensure that you're a good fit for their
company. Video interviews can be intimidating, but with practice, preparation
and some insider tips from people who have been there before you'll feel more
confident than ever on your big day!
Practice, practice, practice
Practice is key. You're going to want to practice in front
of a mirror, with friends or family, and even on video chat apps like Zoom or
Google Meets.
- Practice in front of a mirror: It's good practice for
seeing what you look like on camera and making sure that your poise is up to
par.
- Practice with friends or family members: You can ask them
questions about themselves so that they can talk about themselves while
answering questions from you--this will help improve their confidence when
talking about themselves as well as showing how well they know others'
interests too!
- Use webcams: If there's no webcam available where we live
then we might just need one ourselves (I'm really into these kinds of things).
Prepare for common questions
- Prepare for common questions
The first step to being prepared for your next video
interview is to prepare for the most common interview questions. You can find a
list of these here and here, but generally speaking you'll be asked about:
- Research the company and role
Next up, it's important that you research both the company
you're interviewing with as well as the role itself so that when an interviewer
asks about them in an interview setting (or even if they don't), you can give
informed answers that show off your knowledge of both areas. It's also helpful
if this research helps build rapport between yourself and potential
employers--if they see how much work went into learning more about them before
starting an application process with them then they might feel better about
hiring someone who took time out of their busy life schedule just so they could
get better acquainted with what makes their business tick!
Leave time to go over your script
Make sure you have time to go over your script. Don't rush
through it, and don't be afraid to take a break if you need one. You want to
make sure that when the camera starts rolling, everything is fresh in your
mind--and that means having ample time for practice beforehand.
Know what to expect on the Zoom app
- Make sure your internet connection is strong. Zoom can be
finicky, so it's important to have a good connection before you start the
interview. If you have any issues with the connection, be sure to mention them
and ask if there are other options available for doing the interview that would
work better for both parties involved (like FaceTime or Skype).
- Don't forget about background noise! It's easy to get
distracted by things going on around us in everyday life - whether it's kids
running around or pets barking - but these distractions can make it hard for
people listening back at home or at work during the interview process. If
possible, try turning off TVs and radios while recording; if not possible (or
even reasonable), consider using headphones so that only your voice comes
through clearly without any extra sounds getting picked up by microphones
attached directly onto computers/phones/tablets etc..
Make sure you have a good internet connection before you start the interview
Before you start your interview, make sure that your
internet connection is stable and the video quality is clear. If this isn't
possible, consider rescheduling.
You'll also need a webcam with a microphone attached; if you
don't have one already, check out our list of recommendations here: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-webcams-for-2019
Remember that your body language matters too!
You might not think that your body language is important in
a video interview, but it can make or break your chances of landing the job.
When you're on camera, keep your head up and look directly at the person who's
interviewing you. Make eye contact throughout the entire time they speak--don't
look away or down at your lap! Your posture also matters: sit up straight with
both feet flat on the floor (not crossed!). And lastly, try not to fidget too
much; it makes people uncomfortable when they see someone fidgeting while
they're trying to talk!
Dress for success
If you're interviewing for a job, wear something that makes
you feel confident and comfortable. If appropriate, wear business casual
clothing (think suits, sweaters and dresses). If you're interviewing for
graduate school or another type of post-graduate program, dress according to
the institution's guidelines.
Remember, in addition to how you're dressed, make sure your
background setting is also dressed for success. Don't take the meeting in a
busy kitchen or highly trafficked areas. Find a quiet room that isn't cluttered
with personal items, laundry, or food. It's best to interview at a desk in an
office, ideally with your framed degree in the setting. In fact, a college diploma frame is a visual reminder of your credentials and why you're
uniquely qualified for the job.
Don't forget to smile! This is a great opportunity to show
off your personality and be yourself in front of the camera.
Smiling is a great way to show off your personality and be
yourself in front of the camera. Smiling can make you look more approachable
and confident, which will help you get through this interview process with
flying colors!
Smiling also helps us feel relaxed. In fact, smiling
increases positive emotions while reducing negative ones like anxiety and stress.
This means that if you smile during an interview, not only will people think
better of you as an applicant because they perceive you as friendly but also
because it makes them feel good about themselves as well (i.e., "I'm
around someone who seems happy!").
During breaks, don't be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back for how far you've come!
When you're not talking, take a break. Don't be afraid to
give yourself a pat on the back for how far you've come! You don't want to get
so nervous that you forget to smile or look at the camera. This can be
especially helpful if something goes wrong in your interview and it makes sense
for them to cut things short early.
If something goes wrong during an interview--and it probably
will--don't worry about making mistakes. It happens! The important thing is
that they see how much passion and dedication you have towards this job
opportunity by explaining what went wrong and why it wasn't as good as possible
(without being negative).
Video interviews are a great way for employers to get to know you better!
Video interviews are a great way to get to know you better.
When an employer sees your face and hears the tone of your voice, they can get
a better sense of who you are as a person--and that's important! It's different
from just reading over resumes or interviewing in person (or even over the
phone), because there's no filter between what comes out of your mouth and how
it sounds.
In addition to allowing employers access to this valuable
information about potential employees, video interviews also allow candidates
themselves an opportunity: They can show off their personality and skills at
the same time. For example, if there is something specific about yourself or
even just one thing about yourself that sets yourself apart from other
applicants--something they might not otherwise know unless they met with every
single person who applied for this job--then now would be a good time for those
things come out during an interview via video chat technology like Zoom or Google
Meets.
Conclusion
We hope these tips will help you feel more confident as you
prepare for your video interview. Remember that practice makes perfect, so if
you have time before the interview make sure to practice with someone else or
even on your own! You'll be surprised at how much it helps. Good luck!
