You have a video interview; what do you do?
Every interview comes with nerves and indecision, and some might not even be able to show up when the time comes. You could let your worries build until you become frantic, struggling to focus on what’s important. Or you could read these tips and tricks to ace that interview. Do you have what it takes when it comes down to you and your prep skills?
With video interviews becoming more common, it’s normal to have some questions. You might be asking, where do I start? Will they really know if I’m wearing pyjamas from the waist down? We’ll try and answer these for you today and give you some strategies to ensure you do your best.
Do Your Research
Before you even think about how fashionable you should be for your interview, you need to do some research. This is helpful even before you’ve received your gold star and been asked to come in for an interview.
Research the organisation and look into their corporate values and other relevant information such as their organisational structure, and their annual report as this will give you additional contextual information about who they are and what they do.
Read up on the role and job description, take notes on the requirements and consider how your skills and experience apply to the role. Look back at your resume and compare the two; what can you bring to the role that they’re looking for?
Write up some questions you think you could be asked and take notes on how to answer them. Try using this Practice Interview Builder and get comfortable in a conversation with yourself. Try practising those questions in a camera, record them to see if you would hire you.
Test your Technology
In the days before your interview, figure out what program or app you’re using. If you don’t know yet, it never hurts to contact the contact officer. Make sure your username is professional; the chances of Flamer123 being recruited aren’t very high.
Video calls can be done on laptops, phones, or tablets, so if you feel more comfortable with one than the other, feel free to use it; make sure your picture is clear and steady. Don’t forget to keep them charged!
Try calling a friend with your preferred device to make sure they can see and hear you clearly. There’s nothing good about a broken microphone or a cracked lens.
Pick Your Location
Before you sit down, make sure your camera can see clearly. You don’t want it to be too sunny or too dark. Make sure it’s quiet, too. Try to keep the dogs barking and cars honking to a minimum. If you don’t live alone, just let your housemates know you need the space. Remember to check your background and ensure it isn’t distracting or embarrassing. You want your potential future employer to remember you in your interview, not your fun cardboard cut-out of your favourite artist.
Dress to Impress
One of the most important aspects of an interview is your outfit choice. Though it seems superficial, it shows the interviewer that you’re taking this seriously and could jump straight into the job if they wanted you to. Being able to show you’ll blend seamlessly into their team is a big green flag.
Find something professional in your wardrobe, and make sure you’re dressed from head to toe. Not only will you feel more confident, but they also won’t have to see your panda pyjamas if you accidentally stand up.
In the Interview
The day has come. You’re 15 minutes early, waiting in your chosen location, fully charged, and looking great with your notes and pen on the side. Grab a glass of water, and take some deep breaths. Maybe do a meditation if you have time.
When it comes time for the interview, make sure you’re not reading off your notes. They’re handy if you get particularly stuck, but you want to be looking at the camera the whole time. This will help you appear to be making eye contact, and the employer will feel like you’re engaging with them. Sitting up straight and nodding along will also help them know you’re listening.
If you get a question that’s a little bit hard, don’t panic. Take a breath, and don’t be afraid to voice that you’re thinking of a good answer. Sometimes, you can even ask if they could return to it, and you can prepare while you move on.
Try not to interrupt the speaker, video interviews are often delayed, and they might not seem like they have more to say until you’re talking over each other. Take your time and give it a second longer before you start speaking.
End your interview with thanks, and make sure you close it on a positive note. Take a breath and relax. If you want to take an extra step to keep their eyes on you, try sending them an email of appreciation for the interview.
It’s normal to feel anxious before your video interview, but following these tips will help you to master those nerves. Practice, prepare, breathe into your confidence, and you’ll do great.
