Video job interviews are becoming more and more prevalent in the hiring process, especially since we are in a confinement period.
The lockdown period does not mean that the recruitment process freezes, the companies need to prepare the next phase and continue to interview and to recruit.
If you have a video job interview coming up, and it is a first for you, it is a good idea to get familiar with it and see how you can be prepared.
Before we get into the specifics, let's notice that the content of a video job interview is similar to in-person. As a result, you will want to follow the best practices for an in-person interview such as prepare beforehand, dress appropriately, be on time, and have a pen, a notepad, and a copy of your resume on your desk.
For joining the video conference, you might receive a link in an email from the recruiter, or you might receive a call via Skype, Teams, Google Hangouts, or another video conference provider.
If you are using a personal Skype or Google account, make sure that you have a professional username (you may want to set up a new account for your video interviews). Do not forget to check your privacy settings.
In this guide, we want to share some basic video Interview tips:
- Tech set up:
- Ensure your internet connection is stable. You will need an internet connection with a bandwidth speed of at least 1 megabits per second. Close any unnecessary web browser tabs and applications that could interrupt the conversation or slow the internet connection.
- Find a place free from possible interruptions, it must be quiet, private, and well-lit. Don’t forget to place your phone in silent mode.
- Test your computer’s audio and webcam. Position your webcam so that you have a neutral background that is free from distractions. Check that the background behind you is neutral and free from clutter. Adjust the lights in the room. If things appear dark, you may want to bring in an extra desk lamp to brighten the space. Position the camera so that you are looking up slightly and centered on the screen.
- To get used to the technology of a video interview, it is useful to do some practice video calls with friends or family members.
When listening, show you are engaged in the discussion. Give your full attention and prompts such as nodding, smiling when it feels appropriate it is important to convey optimism with your body language.
In occidental culture, eye contact is very important during an in-person interview, and you want to convey that same level of connection during a video interview. Avoid the instinct to look directly at your interviewer on the screen while you are answering a question. Instead, when you speak, you want to direct your gaze at the webcam. When you do this, your eyes are more likely to align with the interviewer’s eyes on the other end. When you are listening, you can look back at the screen.
- Dress for a video job interview:
- You should dress professionally, the same way you would for an in-person interview. To look your best on camera, avoid patterns and opt for soft colors. If you wear glasses, adjust the lighting in the room to reduce glare from the lenses.
- A video Job interview means you don’t have to wear pants, right? Even if it’s likely that the interviewer will only see your upper half, it’s still a good idea to wear professional pants or a skirt in case you need to stand up for any reason.
Backup plans if things go wrong, just in case.
- With technology, there is always a chance things could go wrong. In case your video or audio stops working, be sure you have a phone number where you can reach the interviewer if you experience technical difficulties, call him at that number, and ask if you can continue the interview by phone or if you can reschedule a video call.
- If noises interrupt the conversation (sirens, construction, bell ringing, etc.), you may want to mute the microphone if the noise is severe.
- If someone enters the room unexpectedly (family members, housemates or pets) while you are interviewing, apologize to the interviewer, ask for a few moments, mute your microphone and turn off your camera. The best is to make sure that the room is secure before beginning the interview again.
So there you have it. Video interviews are not so different after all. And remember, if you were thinking about wearing jogging pants…just forget about it :-)