In today’s flexible and global work environments there are more reasons than ever for companies to use video conferencing for interviews. If you have one scheduled with a company, here are some quick do’s and don’ts to help you prepare:
Do:
Perform a sound check.
Make sure that you’ve checked your audio and camera ahead of time. Just in case you need to make an equipment change or adjust fidgety settings, make sure you give yourself plenty of time by checking this in advance of your interview. Then double check your device again the day of the interview to make sure everything is still working. Interviewers often have packed schedules, don’t let a technology gaffe cut into your time to shine.
Put yourself in the best light.
When you are testing your camera (whether it is a webcam, the camera on your phone, or the camera on your laptop), take a moment to check the lighting in the room where you will be performing your interview. If the lighting is too dim, the picture might appear dull and grainy. If you are lit too brightly you might appear washed out. Try to strike a balance and remember to give yourself enough light from the front, which might mean placing a light source behind your camera or monitor.
Special tip: pay attention to sources of light from behind you, such as windows. A bright light behind you can make your face appear dimmer and provide a distracting glow or glare on screen.
Dress the part.
Treat a video interview the same as an in-person interview and dress the part from head to toe. Dressing professionally will help you treat the interview with the level of focus and attention that you need and help you from slipping into a more casual tone.
Make eye contact.
Making eye contact on webcam isn’t intuitive. It’s tempting to look at either the image of the interviewers or at yourself during the call, but those sightlines might be nowhere near the eye of the camera. Make sure you look at the camera some of the time to give the interviewer the feeling of making eye contact. You can gently remind yourself this by placing something eye catching near the camera to draw your eye back there occasionally.
Don’t:
Look down on your interviewer.
Especially if you are using a phone or a laptop, the natural tendency will be to look down on the device (because most of the time it will be lower than you on a table or desk). Looking down at a camera might not give you a flattering angle or keep you in frame well—and no one wants to talk to just the top of your head. Try placing your laptop or other device higher using a shelf, stack of books or something sturdy to make sure you are looking straight ahead.
Provide sound effects.
Be aware of how sensitive the microphone in your device is and try to manage any extra sounds that might be in the room. This means turning off nearby fans, silencing your ringer, and shutting the door to minimize unwanted or unexpected background noise.
Air your dirty laundry.
Nobody needs to see your laundry hamper. Make sure the space behind you is free from visual clutter, and choose a blank wall if possible. At a minimum, make sure the space behind you is neat and tidy.
Stick to the script.
You might want a few notes to help you remember key items to mention in the interview, but keep in mind that all eyes are on you. Keep looking up at the lens and speak naturally. If you are reading a pre-scripted answer, the interviewers will know and you’ll appear less genuine. It is better to occasionally search for the right word than to read your answers.
We hope you have tremendous success applying all these tips to nail your next video interview and wish you good luck!