How to prepare for a video interview

Video job interviews are becoming more common each year. How can you be sure to impress the hiring manager via webcam?

Make sure you’re prepared to get in front of the camera by following these video interview tips.

[Music] more and more employers are opting to conduct video interviews instead of traditional in-person interviews not only does video interviewing offer greater convenience but it gives you more control to make a good first impression our video interview checklist will help you prepare for your video interview let's get to work first check your technology confirm what video platform you'll be using and download any apps plugins or software you'll need to run it many of our recruiters are using Skype or FaceTime be sure to set up a username and password if you need one check that your webcam microphone and speakers work and that your laptop phone or tablet is charged in case you're away from a power source next do a trial run find a simple background that isn't distracting ideally with natural light um not quite that's better double check for ambient noise not now Hulk do a trial run with a friend or family member to test your Lighting and Sound and practice using the volume controls in case you need them your shoulders and face should be framed in the video and you should make direct eye contact remember you are looking at the camera not the screen now Dress for Success even though you may not be in an office it is still important to dress professionally that's perfect now you got it when choosing your outfit pick something that will stand out against your backdrop you may want to add a pop of color maybe a scarf or understated piece of jewelry and avoid distracting prints that will upstage you also leave the red ties in the closet time for a final check arrive early so you're calm and centered is your space set up do you have the the interviewer's phone number and email just in case try to log in the video platform 10 minutes early to avoid last minute technical issues also double check to make sure you have no guest appearances one final tip remember that this is a professional interview make sure to send a note or email to your interviewer to say Thank you so there you have it Tech check trial run Dress for Success final check and send a thank you now you are ready to ice your interview and land your next job good luck

Preparing for a video interview:

Check your surroundings: Be sure to set up your webcam in a quiet, distraction free zone.

Make sure the background is free from clutter and embarrassing items like laundry piles. Try to avoid too much background noise like cars passing or ticking clocks.

Equipment check:

Get familiar with the webcam and microphone and understand how they work. The audio and video must come through clearly and the camera should be set at eye level. If you have a friend or family member who can assist doing a trial run, this will help prevent potential equipment issues.

You'll be more at ease during the video interview if you do a technical trial run.

Charge your battery:

Charge your laptop or tablet the night before. If you are using a tablet be sure to set it up on a solid surface so that the screen doesn’t look shaky.

Lighting check:

If you put a light behind your computer your face will be illuminated. This will help avoid shadows.

Appearance:

When preparing for a video interview, appearance matters a lot. Even though you are not interviewing face-to-face, you should still wear business attire. To avoid contrast issues, stick to solid colours that aren’t too dark or too light and stay away from stripes and plaids .

Rehearse some video interview questions:

Your video camera will have a recording function. Prior to the interview, rehearse your video interview questions and answers direct to camera. It will give you some great insights to how you are delivering your answers so that you can make adjustments in advance, and make you feel more confident in the interview.

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General video interview tips:

Keep it professional. Be sure that if you are using Skype or another video platform your user name is professional just as you would with your email address and social media accounts.
Maintain eye contact. Look directly into the camera, try to avoid looking into the centre of the screen. Speak directly into the microphone so the interviewer can hear you clearly.
Take a pause. Let the interviewer finish before giving your answers. Digital video streaming can be delayed so take a couple of seconds before responding.
Keep your resume close. Finally, it’s not a bad idea to keep your resume close. Just be sure not to look away from the camera too much. Having notes can be a good tool to refer to between the video interview questions.
Remember that they can see you. Unlike a phone interview, the interviewer can see you. It may seem obvious, but in the midst of delivering an answer, it’s easy to forget that you are on camera. Remember to smile and come across as warm and personable. You have more opportunity to connect and bond with the interviewer than in a phone interview, so use it to your advantage.

If you follow these video interview tips, you’ll be more likely to make a great first impression and hopefully score the job - or at least a second interview.

Want more interview tips and advice? Visit our job interview hub.

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