Conducting job interviews via video, especially for preliminary screenings and initial rounds, helps hiring managers save time and resources. Since you are not face-to-face, you may miss out on some of the confidence-building actions such as giving a firm handshake, but there are best practices for video interviewing that can leave a positive, lasting impression. Check out these tips for having a successful video interview:
● Convey a Professional Appearance
The interviewers may only be seeing a portion of you on video, but you still need to put in the same effort to convey a professional appearance as you would in person. Wear a business casual outfit, so you look put together and feel more confident.
● Troubleshoot Your Tech
Before your interview, make sure you are comfortable using the video platform and that everything is working correctly. Practice using your webcam, checking your microphone sound, and logging into a practice meeting, so you know your tech is functioning.
● Pick an Optimal Location
Avoid distracting from your responses during a video interview, and pick an optimal location for where you will participate in it. Select an area that is quiet and has a simple, clutter-free background.
● Record a Trial Run
Speaking while looking into a webcam can feel a bit awkward, so record a trial run to see if you have any issues to address. Practice responding to common interview questions and then review the video to see if you have any nervous tics, such as not looking at the webcam, or use too many filler words.
● Be Punctual
Just like with an in-person interview, give yourself a buffer by showing up early. Get seated, prepare your webcam, and have your login screen pulled up about 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time - when the scheduled time arrives, you can click to connect.
● Slow Down and Speak Up
Do not forget to account for the potential audio and video lagging that can occur during video interviews. Slow down as you talk, and speak up so the interviewers can understand you, even if there is a bit of a delay. If you speak too quickly, even a short lag time could make some of your key points get lost.
● Focus on Nonverbal Communication
Video meeting software typically picks up the microphone of whoever is speaking at any given time, which can make it challenging to communicate the same short interjections that normally signal that you're actively listening (i.e., "Yes..", "Okay...", etc.) because it could cause you to take the sound away from the interviewer. Instead, focus on mastering your nonverbal communication - look directly into the webcam and nod, rather than speaking.
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