Video Interview Hints

Video interviews have become a common first stage of the interview process, so ensuring you have prepared beforehand is essential. We’re all used to a Zoom call with family, friends or colleagues but remember this is an interview, and you should treat it the same as a face-to-face interview.

Setup

Ensure the area you choose is well-lit and with a plain background. A quiet space away from interruptions is essential; a barking dog or your toddler joining you probably won’t go down too well.

Ensure you have the correct technology before the interview, with a working mic, camera and speakers. Charge the battery on your laptop and make sure Wi-Fi reception is reliable.

Doing a practice call is an excellent idea to ensure everything works correctly and see how you appear on the screen. Are you too close? Can the interviewer see your face clearly?

Dress code

Choose a smart outfit as you would for a face-to-face interview; business dress is best even if the company has a smart/casual dress code. Although the interviewer will only see your upper half, it’s a good idea to be smart head to toe in case you need to stand up mid interview!

The Interview

Some tips to consider during the interview:

• Be enthusiastic and smile; often the screen can become frozen during a conversation, and it is better to be frozen in a good light smiling, rather than frowning. Have good posture, and consider your body language. Speak clearly don’t “um” or “ahh”.
• It’s OK to bring notes but keep them on screen so you don’t have to look down while speaking.
• Taking notes is a great idea; they will be invaluable at the next stage.
• Have questions ready for your interviewer. It shows interest in an employer and proves you have thought about this job even at the early stage.
• Never interrupt, be patient and speak when spoken to, be mindful of any delays and try not to speak over your interviewer.
• At the end of the interview, it’s a good idea to ask if you meet their needs and address any concerns they may have now. Ask about the next steps, and remember to say thank you.
• Follow up by sending an email to thank them for their time and recap on the process to remind them of your suitability.

Good luck with your job searching!