Video Interview Tips
When interviews took place in person, there was a lot of preparation required. Don’t treat your Zoom interviews any differently. You need to prepare for your interviews in order to do your best. Here are some tips to get ready:
Prepare your video and audio carefully
Test out everything ahead of time to make sure you look and sound your best. Check if you need to download any software and read through instructions ahead of time.
Create a good experience for the interviewer. That includes:
Camera angle—one big mistake is that people are often looking down instead of straight ahead. To help, place thick books or a box under your laptop so you are looking straight into the camera.
Headphones for best audio—don’t depend on audio that will pick up all the noises in the room around you. Use a pair of headphones that allow the listener to hear you, and only you.
Test your lighting—not all computer cameras are made well but good lighting can make a difference. Put the lighting in front of you, not behind you.
Check your background—does it look crowded, messy, busy? Do you have something behind you that looks questionable like a bottle of alcohol? We have grown to accept a lot more of “real life” on camera such as kids or family members but this shouldn’t be the case when you are interviewing.
Dress for the interview
They might only see the top half of your shirt and jacket but what you wear for the interview makes an impact. Think about what you wear, how it looks on camera, and aim to present yourself in the most professional manner possible.
Think you only need pajama bottoms on? Think again. First, there is something about dressing for the part that makes an impact on your manner. And second, some interviewers have started asking the interviewee to stand up. Their assumption—right or wrong—is that someone who cares about the job will take the time to fully dress.
Keep your eyes on the camera
It’s natural to want to look at the person you are talking to. But when you do that, you are looking at the face on the screen, typically lower than the camera itself by at least 3 inches. Get used to looking at the camera. If it helps, make the interviewer’s video a smaller box and move it to just below your computer camera. That way, you will appear to be looking at the interviewer.
Keep notes near the camera
It’s OK if you have some notes on your desk, we all naturally look at notes in a conversation. Consider the experience for the interviewer. Some notes can be on a pad in front of you and it will be natural for you to review to give detailed answers. Key points should be placed near the camera so they are easy to scan.
Do a practice run
If you can access the exact same system that is being used for the interview, ask a friend to test the capabilities with you so you’re sure that everything works on your computer. Also, ask for honest feedback. Can they hear you clearly? Do you look good on camera? Do they see anything questionable in the background? Try to make the experience similar to your interview.
