How to Prepare for a Video Interview: Top Tips to Nail that Job!

Online interviews are now more common thanks to COVID-19, so how do you prepare for a video interview? Seeking a job these days is different enough, to begin with. And we’ve addressed that issue in a previous article. But now that you’ve been shortlisted, there comes another hurdle. It’s not easy to go out to the great big world these days.

And even without the threat of COVID-19 hanging over our heads, video interviews may very well be a permanent part of the hiring process. There are some definite advantages to it. For instance, recruiters can

• have a face-to-face discussion, something you can’t do with an over the phone interview
• interview candidates that live on the other side of the country
• hold the interviews without the hassle of arranging a separate space for interviewing
• interview candidates after working hours

Video Interviewing is not something that came up because of the pandemic. It has been around for a while. In fact, back in 2015, Software Advice actually did a survey on the subject. Though the participant pool was limited to 400 survey takers, the results are interesting.

• 47 per cent of respondents with previous experience in video interviews preferred the medium. Meanwhile, of those with no experience with the format, 67 per cent preferred phone interviews.
• Respondents picked possible connectivity problems and discomfort as the most significant issues with video interviews.
• The majority of job applicants prefer live video interviews over pre-recorded video interviews.

As Software Advice discovered, the format is not without its problems. Connectivity issues, time delays and being uncomfortable in front of a camera can work as disadvantages. And yet, with some preparation, you can overcome these problems.

Types of video interviews

Now that you are wondering about how to prepare for a video interview, there are some facts you need to be aware of. First off, there are different formats to video interviews. But the two main ones are

• Live video interviews
• Pre-recorded interviews

While both may share things in common, each format offers a different experience.

Live video interviews

This is pretty similar to an in-person interview in that, you will speak with the interviewer or panel of interviewers in real-time. The major difference is that, instead of commuting to the office where you will meet them, you can connect with them using a platform such as Skype or even WhatsApp.

Pre-recorded interviews

In this format, you aren’t speaking to any recruiter. This is basically just you filming yourself. What happens is, you get a pre-recorded set of questions. And then, you have to record your answers. There is often the added pressure of a time limit as well.

For the purposes of this article, we will focus on live video interviews. So, how can you prepare for your interview?

PICK YOUR LOCATION

Find a quiet place before the beginning of the interview. There should be minimal interruptions, so make sure to let your family know that you need some privacy. For this reason, it is always best to be at home for a video interview. Somewhere like a coffee shop should be an absolute last resort.

To make sure that the recruiter does not get distracted by the background, ensure that the room is tidy. A simple background, maybe a blank wall, will make sure that the focus rests on you. Another important factor is lighting. For instance, if you are facing away from a window, you will be backlit and the interviewer won’t be able to see you. Natural light from a window is better than fluorescent lighting. Just make sure that you are facing your light source, not turning your back to it.

DRESS FOR AN INTERVIEW

Yes, you are at home. But you are still facing an interview and need to look the part. This is your chance to create a professional first impression. So be sure to wear an outfit you would wear to a face-to-face interview. However loud patterns and busy stripes might be overwhelming on camera, so be aware about that.

USE POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE

Set up your camera so that it is at eye level. That way, you can easily maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Instead of concentrating on the screen, be sure to look into the camera. Remember that you are having a conversation with a person in real-time. It is important to pay attention, take an interest in what they are saying and smile where appropriate.

Good posture is also important. Don’t slouch or fidget. These send negative signals that may just cost you any positive points you are building. It’s perfectly fine to be nervous. Instead of getting excited, take a breath to avoid rushing your answers. That will help since the interviewer will be able to hear answers more clearly. There is a slight delay when you are speaking with someone online that is not present during a face-to-face interview. That will help you to avoid interrupting the interviewer. Nevertheless, be sure that the employer has finished speaking before speaking yourself.

Check your equipment before the video interview

If you are new to video interviews, don’t take your computer, camera and software for granted. Be sure to test the audio and video quality, internet connection, software and computer before the interview. Do this a few days before so that you have time to fix anything if there are any issues.

On the day of the interview, make sure that your equipment is fully charged. Switch everything on at least half an hour before the scheduled time so that you can set everything up without running late. If there are any issues during the interview, for instance if you can’t hear the recruiters, don’t be afraid to mention it. It may be a problem on their end and easily fixed.

What to do if things go wrong?

It doesn’t matter how much you prepare for a video interview. Sometimes things can still go wrong. For instance, there might be a sudden and unexpected power cut. Or your camera might stop working. So, what do you do?

Making sure that everything is fully charged will help you avoid anything shutting down in case of a power cut. However, you may still lose your connectivity in such a scenario. Make sure you have a number through which you can reach the interviewers. If this happens, you may have to call them and rearrange the meeting or continue via phone

Sometimes technology can fail you. Your software might crash. In which case, closing it and reopening the programme again will often solve the issue. If it doesn’t, again, reach out to the employer via phone.

You might get interrupted. There might be a loud noise from outside, or a relative might walk into the room unaware of the interview. If it’s the former, politely ask to pause the interview and mute the microphone until the noise stops. If you have to deal with a member of the family, excuse yourself, mute the audio and cut the video feed, and deal with the interruption quickly and quietly. Apologise for the interruption and resume the interview.

Have you faced a video interview? If so, which do you prefer – video, face-to-face or phone interviews? Do you have any tips on how to prepare for a video interview? Share your thoughts with us.