How to Prepare for a Successful Video interview

Getting the Video Interview Right

If you are currently in the process of finding a new employment, you must prepare to attend a job interview . You should be aware however, that more and more employers are choosing to conduct video interviews, via Skype, FaceTime or professional platforms that are gaining increasing importance in the recruitment sector, like HireVue, which helps scheduling and identifying the best applicants. According to a survey conducted by OfficeTeam, six human resource managers out of ten would opt for a video interview, as they allow the employers to cut management and travel costs and time.



In this scenario, it is important to be aware of the differences between a traditional face-to-face interview and an interview via a video platform and to prepare accordingly. Here are a few tips to follow during the preparation and on the day if the interview.



Before the interview



The first thing is being aware of your environment. It is a good idea to pick a good set-up spot, somewhere quiet and comfortable in your house or office where you can feel at ease. Make sure there are no background noises that could disturb you and your interviewer.



Make sure that colleagues, relatives, kids and pets are not around and ask them to leave if necessary, as seeing movement behind or around you might be distracting for your interviewer.

You may want to create a good background: keep it simple and neat, ensure it is a bright nice space, clean and most of all check there is nothing embarrassing (maybe it is time to move that pile of clothes to iron) – it might not only be distracting but also show lack of care or professionalism.



Light is important. You want to make sure the interviewer can see you clearly. Properly lit your background, either using a window as a source of light (if it is during daytime) or positioning a light in front of you and moving it, either closer or further, to adjust the intensity. Avoid overhead lighting and do not place a source of light behind you since it casts a shadow on the laptop.



Take time to properly set up. Avoid using a built-in webcam, invest in an external camera instead for better quality. A headset considerably improves the quality of your audio, as it prevents the interviewer from hearing external sounds; alternatively you can use earphones. It is always better to use a laptop or a PC, phones or iPads have smaller screens and it would be more difficult to find a proper set up. Make sure you place the camera at eye level and do not sit on a swivel chair as nervousness may lead you to move, you would look uneasy and it might be a source of distraction.



It is essential to test your equipment well in advance so that you do not have to solve any technical problem on the day. WiFi is usually not enough, as it cuts off quite easily. Use an Ethernet cable instead, to make sure audio and video are not disturbed. Check audio and video quality; Skype, for example, has a test call option. If you are not used to video calling it may be a good idea to practice with a friend so that you will feel more confident at the interview.



Ensure that you took all the arrangements for the interview. Check the time, especially if you are calling abroad (beware of time zones), make sure you swap Skype IDs and that you set a professional Skype name and profile picture.



Just because you are at home does not mean that you can show up in your pyjama. Take care to dress and groom appropriately (at least on top), it is always a job interview after all. Opt for black, blue or grey tones, dark colours usually work well on camera and always make sure you are not wearing anything distracting (no ostentatious jewellery). It is a good idea to wear makeup, even for men, as the video tends to penalise your appearance.



Before the interview, always remember to disable background apps on iPad, phone or laptop and close chat windows, as they can hear you getting messages or notifications.



During the interview



Cheat sheets and notes are allowed. A good option is to stick them to the screen so that, if you need some hint or there is something you want to bring up, you can always glance at the notes without the interviewer noticing your eye movement.



Where to look is one of the biggest problems. Always maintain eye contact with the camera, do not look at the image of yourself at the bottom right, it would be perceived as if you were looking away. Before the interview, you should place the camera as close as possible to the screen so that if you look at the interviewer they do not have the impression that you are staring down.



Like in a Like in a face-to-face interview , your attitude is important. Remember to smile and look excited for the opportunity they are giving you. Do not slouch; it gives the impression that you are lazy or bored. Even if you are nervous, do not move too much as it can be distracting. Always keep your hands under the table so that if you feel the need to move them they will only perceive a slight movement of your shoulders.



Audio and the level of your voice are important. Before starting, make sure they can hear you clearly. Nervousness can affect you voice making it shaky and the interviewer will sense it. To avoid this, try to relax right before the interview, stop preparing and do something you enjoy.



You may want to take notes during the interview. You can do this, but remember to mention this with the interviewer to make sure they are okay with it.



Ultimately, take advantage of the fact that you are in a familiar place, unlike for traditional in-person interviews, but you can still see the interviewer’s reactions. Just relax and enjoy the experience.





By Sara Paciaroni



