The Covid pandemic has impacted all parts of our lives – including recruitment. With the rise of more remote and hybrid working and fewer in-person interactions, video job interviews are becoming increasingly common.
Video job interviews can be live—i.e., you meet the interviewer on a set day/time via Zoom or Microsoft Teams (or similar)—or pre-recorded, with questions automatically presented to you on the screen. You record your answers, which are then reviewed later by the Employer.
Whatever interview format your potential Employer prefers, it’s good to practice and prepare so you can confidently be camera-ready and ace your next video job interview.
Do your interview preparation as normal
A video interview is no different from a face-to-face job interview. You will be asked typical interview questions covering your background, skills, experiences and motivations for wanting the job. Therefore, doing your research and preparing for your job interview as usual is essential. Read my blog post – How to prepare for an interview and land your dream job, so you know what research to do and the types of questions you will be asked (and which answers to give to wow the interviewer).
Test your tech
The best-laid plans don’t always go to plan. If you are unfamiliar with the interview software, make sure you install it beforehand and familiarise yourself with how to work your camera, mute and unmute yourself, adjust the volume, etc.
Also, choose a professional-sounding username to make a great first impression.
Have a practice run
If possible, recruit a friend or family member to conduct a mock video interview with you over Zoom, Teams, or a video call on your phone. Get them to ask you some typical interview questions and ask for honest feedback—not just in terms of how you deliver your answers but also whether you maintain eye contact, smile, use open body language, are loud enough, etc.
Set the scene
When you know you look your best, you will feel more confident. And the secret to looking good on camera is to have as much light on your face as possible. If you can, invest in a ring light that sits on your desk or clips onto your computer screen. A ring light shines a warm, flattering light directly onto your face, instantly making you look more energised. Alternatively, set up your laptop with your face facing the window for a similar effect.
If you can, do your trial interview at the same time of day as your interview so you know what the lighting will look like and whether you need more (or less).
Bonus tip: slightly raise the computer and webcam (rest it on a box or purchase a special stand). Not only is this better for your neck, back and shoulders, but it also means you look up slightly rather than down (a double chin is never a good look!)
Also, think about the background—a messy background may give the wrong impression that you lack high standards and care about your work. Therefore, a plain wall behind you or smart shelves are best. You can also always blur the background or use a virtual background (but if you go down this route, please don’t use a funky background like a rainforest or beach scene—an office background is best in this situation).
Minimise interruptions
Try to schedule your video job interview when you know your home will be quiet. If you live with others, let them know the time of your video interview so they can minimise the noise. If you have children, schedule your interview during school or nursery hours or when someone else is looking after them. You’ll feel more relaxed and less anxious that someone will burst in – and therefore, be able to focus on the interviewer and questions better – and have the best opportunity to give your best answer. Avoid having a job interview in a coffee shop or co-working space where you can’t control the background – or WiFi!
Dress the part
Dress as you would for an in-person job interview. Doing so will help you get ‘work-ready’ and increase your confidence. Although casual wear is becoming more common in the office, smart attire is still expected for most job interviews. You don’t want to lose out to another candidate just because they wore a smart shirt and you a scruffy t-shirt, and the interviewer then (wrongly) assumed this meant they wanted the job more than you did.
Make sure you have enough charge
Imagine you are delivering a pitch-perfect answer; the interview is lapping up your every word – they can’t wait to hear what more you have to say, when suddenly your laptop dies because you forgot to charge it! Nightmare! The chemistry you have spent the past 30 minutes building is lost, and you look sloppy and unprepared.
To avoid this scenario, ensure your computer is fully charged and keep your laptop plugged in throughout the interview. Don’t forget to set yourself up in a place with a good Wi-Fi signal.
‘Arrive’ early
Just as you wouldn’t arrive bang on 3:00 pm for an in-person job interview starting at 3, make sure you ‘arrive’ at least 5 minutes before your video interview.
This helps you double-check that all your technology is working as it should be. Ensure you’re not using any distracting backgrounds or filters and that your background is clutter-free.
Close any other browsers, and mute your phone.
You can print off your CV, the job description and some notes so you have them to hand – these can help you feel more confident, but try not to over-refer to them during the job interview itself –– you want to maintain that eye contact.
Build rapport with a ‘digital handshake’
Just as you would in a regular in-person job interview, building rapport with the interviewer is essential. People hire people, and ultimately, the Hiring Manager wants to work with someone they think they will get along with.
Use the first few minutes of the job interview before the interviewer starts asking questions to build common ground. Think of this as the time you would spend in the lift going to the interview room. You could ask them how their day is going, if they had a nice weekend, etc.
Smile
Nonverbal communication is vital to any conversation. Smiling whilst listening to your interviewer and delivering your answers makes you appear more engaged, enthusiastic and friendly (see point above – the interviewer wants to hire someone they think they will get along with!).
Maintain eye contact
This can actually be quite hard to do on a video and requires conscious effort on your part. It can be tempting to look at the person on your screen (or yourself) when delivering your answers, but to maintain eye contact like you would in a face-to-face meeting, you need to address the camera. Straightaway, you look more confident and trustworthy.
Don’t interrupt
This is good advice for life in general, but you will seem rude if you jump in and interrupt the interviewer. And with internet lag, it can be easy to interrupt someone who is just pausing rather than finishing speaking. So, before delivering your answer, take a moment to ensure your interviewer has finished speaking.
Have a backup plan
As we all know, technology sometimes breaks – the internet can go down, or apps can crash, often for no apparent reason. Therefore, getting the interviewer’s phone number (or giving them yours) is wise so you can continue the interview by phone if technology lets you down.
End on a high
It is essential to leave a positive first impression as you would for a face-to-face job interview. Thank the interviewer for their time. Follow up with a thank-you email to the interviewers (and Recruiter if they organised) within 24 hours of your interview. This is polite and shows that you are excited about the role. Not everyone does this. By making an effort to send a thank you, you set yourself apart from the other candidates – and I have known this thank you email to be the deciding factor on who gets the job on several occasions.
So – there you have it — fourteen ways to ace a video job interview. Ensure you follow them to give yourself the best chance of landing your dream job. And if you do get an offer, make sure you read my blog post – Ten Easy Ways to Achieve a Higher Job Offer, so that you can negotiate the highest starting salary you possibly can!
Blog Summary:
Prepare as Usual: Treat video interviews with the same seriousness as in-person interviews. Research the company, understand the role, and prepare answers to likely questions based on the job description.
Tech Check: Ensure your equipment and software are working correctly (and plugged in/fully charged) before the interview. Practice with a friend to get comfortable with the format, and check your audio, video, and internet connection.
Professional Setting: Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a simple background. Dress professionally to signal you are serious about getting the job.
Be Enthusiastic: Use the camera to maintain eye contact, smile, and show enthusiasm. Your body language should show your interest and professionalism.
Have a Backup Plan: Prepare for technical issues by having the interviewer’s contact information handy. This ensures you can switch to a phone call if necessary.
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