7 Tips For The Perfect Video Interview

Amid the pandemic, and as more businesses leverage the power of digital interviews, you will start to see an increase in the number of video interview requests. Whether you’re comfortable with the internet or not, it’s essential to prepare. We’ve compiled a list of 7 tips for the perfect video interview. 

Platform Setup 

Many people are familiar with Skype and Zoom, but these platforms are always changing, and new platforms are continually hitting the market. Rather than assuming that you’ll be able to figure it out before the call, it’s highly recommended that you download all the popular software before you nail an interview date. Start using the major platforms such as Zoom, Skype, Whereby, and a few others you can find here.

Location Setup 

One thing that is often overlooked is the location of the interview. I can’t share how often someone I am interviewing hops on, and they are sitting on the bed or couch, the background is messy, there’s background noise, and the lighting is terrible. This makes me feel as if the person I am interviewing didn’t think ahead. Many recruiters and HR managers assume the same. It’s important to choose a professional location if you do not have an office. Consider taking a table you have around the house and a chair and placing it near a plain wall rather than sitting on a couch. A dining room table is also a common option given the background is clean and will not have any traffic distractions. You’ll also want to ensure that you have proper lighting. If you are unable to invest in a halo light, there are some affordable options online that can make a world of difference. Try to avoid direct sunlight behind you as you will appear as a shadow, no matter how hard you try to resolve it. Having a light or window in front of you is always preferred. 

Sound

There’s nothing worse than poor sound, which is often overlooked by the interviewee. Would you want to sit and listen to scratchy, overly loud, irregular music? Imagine having to sit through that while interviewing someone. It makes it nearly impossible to leave the interviewer with a positive experience and makes it hard for them to understand you during the interview itself. Consider testing your audio with friends and family, and make sure you have a reliable internet connection. You may need to increase your internet speeds before the call and invest in a microphone or headset. 

Practice 

To get used to the technology, comfortable with your lighting and background, and sound, it’s advised to schedule regular calls with friends and family to help you get comfortable and so they can give you honest feedback about the experience. This should also help you get more comfortable with being in front of a camera, which will help you give off the proper body language during the interview. You won’t need to do test run interviews each time, but it is suggested a few times, the other times can be a great excuse to see loved ones virtually. 

Best Practices 

• Dress to impress and never try to attend your interview with just a shirt on. The interviewer may ask you to move to an alternative location, or you may need to get up unexpectedly and forget you don’t have pants on. This has happened on many occasions, and seeing the full ensemble and taking the time and energy to get fully dressed professionally speaks volumes. 
• Study body language and practice proper body language before your interview with friends and family. Ask them to tell you when you’re slouching, using too many hand gestures, keeping your arms crossed, etc. 
• Never interrupt 
• Record your practice calls with friends and family and rewatch them. 
• Try to join the call 5-10 Minutes Early. Just like in-person interviews, if you’re not early, you’re late. 
• Before the call, ask the interviewer for their preferred method of contact if either of you experience technical difficulties. 
• If a noise interruption happens on your end. Apologize and mute your microphone until it subsides. It’s common, especially in large cities, to experience sirens, car alarms, or construction. 
• If someone enters the room, you’re interviewing in or is making background noise apologize ask for a moment, mute the microphone and turn off the camera, handle the interruption and return. Nothing is worse than allowing the interruption to continue and ignoring it with animosity.
• After the interview, send a thank-you email thanking the interviewer for their time and touch on why you’re interested in the position. This message is meant to build a stronger relationship, not to be an additional sales pitch. 

Are you ready for your next interview? Did these tips for the perfect video interview help you get your dream job? Let us know in the comments below. 

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