Video Job Interview Tips for Landing Your New Job
Are video job interviews becoming the new norm? As remote work and global positions grow in popularity, video interviews become an essential part of the hiring process. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, a video job interview doesn’t have to be nerve-racking. You can easily ace the interview with the right mindset, practice, and understanding of video interviewing.
Table of contents
1. Check your technology
2. Dress for success
3. Be well-prepared
4. Focus on eye contact and body language
5. Project your voice
6. Close the video job interview
Here are six video job interview tips that will help you make a lasting impression
Tip #1: Check your technology
Ensure that your technology is working correctly a few days in advance. In other words, check your internet connection reliability, camera, and your microphone. This is one of the most essential video job interview tips, as you don’t want to be panicking at the last minute. Charge your device the night before the interview and find a quiet spot with solid Wi-Fi. To further prepare, download the tools and plugins you will need. These may include Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or similar apps.
Also, check your username for the platform you will be using. It should be professional and as close to your real name as possible.
To ensure everything is running smoothly, practice the interview with a friend. This way, you will discover any problems beforehand and have time to solve them.
Tip #2: Dress for success
Looking smart and professional during your interview shows your interest in the position. Don’t fall for the new trend of wearing a formal shirt with sweatpants. Instead, dress as you would for an interview from head to toe. Not only will this reduce the stress of the interviewer seeing your full attire, but it will make you feel more confident.
Wear neutral colors and materials that look neat even when sitting down. Avoid bright colors and designs and too much jewelry, as this may look messy and distracting. Also, make sure your hair is not blocking your face and your face looks well put together.
To make sure you look put together, ask your friend for feedback during your trial video job interview.
Tip #3: Be well-prepared
Much like with an in-person interview, it is always better to be early. Be prepared and log into the platform five minutes early. To ensure you know what to say, keep a copy of your resume close by. Moreover, you can write down notes on what you want to mention or questions about the position. Avoid reading from your notebook, but rather keep your points as a reminder of what you want to touch on.
As for any interview, think of your answers to common interview questions ahead of time. Expect questions such as:
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What are your salary expectations?
Tip #4: Focus on eye contact and body language
Maintaining eye contact during a video job interview can be challenging. But remember, ensuring that your eyes are not wandering will make you look more engaged and interested. Remember to look into the camera instead of your picture on the screen.
Apart from this, maintain a good posture as you would during an in-person interview. Sit up straight and make sure your face is in the center of the screen. Avoid excessive movements and hand gestures, as these can lag even if you have a good connection.
Tip #5: Project your voice
This is one of the most vital video job interview tips. Speaking in person is different from talking on a video call, and you need to be prepared. Before the interview:
- Check your microphone and volume settings.
- Speak clearly and slowly.
- Most importantly, project your voice so that the microphone picks up your words and the interviewer can hear you.
- Use a headset that cancels out background noise for the best sound quality.
To avoid speaking over the interviewer, pause before answering a question. The connection may be delayed, and your sentence could get cut off if you talk right away.
Tip #6: Close the video job interview
Thank the interviewer for their time at the end of your video job interview. Reiterate your interest in the role and why you would be the perfect fit. Much like you would after an in-person interview, follow up with a thank-you email the same day. In essence, your note should reinforce your excitement about the opportunity and the value you could bring to the company.
Following these six video job interview tips will help you feel more confident and at ease. Remember to become familiar and comfortable with the technology required for video interviews. Keep up with the latest global news and ask the interviewer how they are doing. After all, it is likely that they are as new to the world of video interviews as you are.