Video Interview Tips: Top 7 Guides for a Successful Interview

Without question, video interviews are the way of the future for job interviews. We now choose to send a text message rather than a letter. Do research online rather than go to the library. Purchase groceries online rather than travel to the shop, and even hire taxis online.

With the COVID-19 pandemic ushering in a new normal. Even more, services have gone online to make it as simple as possible to stay at home and preserve lives.

So it’s no surprise that 60% of hiring managers. Recruiters now increasingly prefer video or phone interviews over in-person interviews.

It has simplified the hiring process for both the firm and the job seeker, saving money on petrol, time, and travel.

It has also made it possible for long-distance hopefuls to meet with an employer online and obtain their ideal job.

While in-person interviews may eventually be obsolete, virtual interviews are no less difficult or nerve-racking. So we’ve developed a list of tips and strategies to ensure you ace your next job interview.

Types of video interviews that may come your way

Live Video Chat:

This is a real-time face-to-face interaction between you and the interviewer, the recruiter, or the hiring manager. Here is a list of apps that supports this live video chat like Zoom Meeting, Skype, Google Duo, Discord, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.

On-Demand Interview:

The on-demand video interview is an interview that flows in stages. In this type of interview, the hiring manager sets questions for the candidate. The hiring manager can send the question via mail, text, typed, or even handwritten.

The candidate must respond to those questions on a video record and share the recorded video with the recruiter or hiring manager as soon as possible.

7 Best Practices For A Successful Video Interview

1. Make Your Environment Ready

Previously, you would not have been responsible for the atmosphere in which your job interview was held. Still, now you do, and you must ensure that your interview atmosphere is as attractive and professional as you are.

Locate a Good Light Source: Place your laptop near a suitable light source, preferably near a window. This will help natural light brighten your face and surroundings.

If you don’t have a lot of natural light, try obtaining a ring light or placing lights around your computer for illumination.

Having a well-lit environment during a video interview will allow your potential employer to see your face as you answer their questions easily. Make sure the lights are out of the camera’s view to reduce glare and to keep the emphasis on you.

Understand Your Angles: When taking part in any video chat, you want to show off your best views. Place your webcam at your eye level and far enough back so the interviewer can easily see your head and shoulders. Position yourself in the center of the frame to keep the emphasis on you rather than your surroundings.

Clean up your environment: Go to a room in your house free of clutter and distracting wall decor. Look for a wall that does not have distracting wallpaper designs or obscene posters.

If you want to look more well-read, sit in front of a bookcase, but be mindful of the volumes behind you.

While placing some artwork in the frame might add a splash of color and make the photograph more appealing, putting political or inflammatory sentiments or a portrait of your favorite celebrity may appear amateurish. A well-lit, neutral background in a soft, uniform color will give you the desired impression.

Read Also: Top 10 Most Common job Hunting Mistakes

2. Make Use of The Proper Equipment

Another thing we didn’t have to worry about when attending in-person job interviews was this. The quality of a video interview is largely determined by the technology used and how skillfully it is used. Make sure you have a laptop, not a phone, on hand.

Put on a headset: Use a headset with over-the-ear headphones and volume control so you can hear the employer well. The microphone on the headset will remove background noise from your surroundings, making your speech clearer and easier to understand.

Make Use of an External Webcam: External cameras are preferable to built-in cameras in laptops for video interviews. They are easy to manipulate and alter to get the desired angle and position. Attach your external webcam before the interview and ensure that it will remain connected throughout.

Put Your WiFi to the Test: Check that your internet connection is robust enough to support a video chat lasting up to an hour or more. Some wifi networks degrade depending on the time of day or the number of people using them concurrently.

Tell your family members to disconnect for the length of the video interview, and test your connection at least a few days before the interview so you may call for repairs or choose another location if necessary.

3. Professional Attire Is Required For a Video Interview.

Consider a video interview in the same manner that you would consider an in-person interview. Dress correctly for the job you’re applying for, and make a good impression on the interviewer with your professional look.

You can take a look at our post on What to Wear to a Job Interview. It is also the same attire for a video interview.

When it comes to job interviews, appearance counts, whether for a sales position at a used car dealership or an intern at a computer business.

Dress formally: Wear clothing that you believe is acceptable for the job you are applying for. Avoid loud designs and bright colors, and spend some time researching which color and design suits you best based on your skin tone and hair color. It all comes down to making the perfect first impressions.

Apply little make-up: People who have clean skin look better, despite what may appear to be a superficial observation. So, if you’re experiencing a breakout or if you sat out in the sun for too long and now your nose and forehead are sunburned, dab on some concealer or foundation to cover up the imperfections before the interview.

You may like: How to Overcome Objections in an Interview

4. Rehearse Like You Are Going For A Normal Interview

You must practice and prepare for a video interview in the same way you would for a face-to-face interview. Because every employer now has an internet presence, preparing for the interview should be simple.

Research: Look online for information on not only the firm you’re interviewing with but also the job description and comparisons to other firms.

If this firm looks to be paying less than others for the same position, you should investigate why and what other information you should be aware of before starting work there.

Arrange Your Questions: Based on prior experience or internet study, create a list of common interview questions that you expect to be asked during your interview.

Consider what questions could be asked that are specific to your future function, as well as what the job description said when you applied.

It’s a good idea to have your CV and portfolio printed out and ready to use as a reference when you answer questions during the interview. It would be best also to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer about the organization and your job.

Conduct a Mock Interview: Request that a friend or family member do a comprehensive mock interview with you. Download the tool or program that will be used for your interview; most video interviews are performed via Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts.

Set up your laptops in different rooms and take some time to iron out any kinks that may have arisen during the fake interview.

5. You Should Avoid Distractions During The Video Interview.

Distractions during a video interview might harm how the interviewer perceives you and your ability to focus when answering questions. Try to focus as much as possible on the interview and what you’re going to say and do to make the greatest impression possible.

Check this out: 7 things top recruiters look for in a resume

Turn Off Notifications: Turn off or put your phone in silent mode, so it doesn’t ring during your video interview. If a quiet notice appears, try not to glance at it or speculate about what it may be since it will show on your face and distract you. Close all unrelated windows or tabs on your laptop before the interview begins; this will not only improve your internet connection but will also eliminate the danger of you clicking on the wrong tab and throwing the interview off track.

Notify Those Around You: Although staying inside with your family and friends is challenging right now, make sure there are no screaming youngsters or howling dogs throughout the video interview. It generates background noise that can be difficult to filter out, even with the aid of a headphone.

Assure that children and dogs are busy in another room. It’s also a good idea to leave a note on your front door if you’re expecting a delivery or guest so they know not to knock or ring the doorbell during the video interview.

6. Try to be Sociable during the video interview.

While how you dress might help you make a good first impression. The way you present yourself during the interview will be the most important element that the company considers. It might be the difference between you and another applicant who is similarly qualified and experienced.

6. Be Sociable And Welcoming.

Smile: Throughout the interview, make sure your face is calm, warm, and welcoming. Maintain a genuine smile on your face, rather than beaming like a sugar-crazed youngster. Smiling excessively might be off-putting to the interviewer.

Please pay attention: Pay attention to what the interviewer says and make sure your comments line up with what they want to hear.

Maintain active eye contact with the interviewer by staring into the camera rather than at your laptop screen. And signal that you listen by nodding your head.

Avoid fidgeting: Throughout the video interview, maintain good posture and nice body language. Keep a drink of water available to sip if you feel tense or uneasy. Avoid tapping on your desk, playing with your hair, or biting your nails.

Yes, you might be tempted to slouch and fidget because you are in your own house. Keep in mind that this is your potential employer’s first encounter with you. You want to make the greatest impression possible.

With these tips and strategies in place before and during your video interview. You should focus on your answers and make the excellent first impression possible during this critical video chat.

7. Finish The Video Interview By Expressing Your Gratitude.

Thank the interviewer for the chance, just as you would in any other situation. Within 24 hours, send a thank-you message for the interview. In your note, briefly state why you’re interested in the position. Also, let them know why you’d be a good fit for the role and firm.

Consider including anything you and the employer talked about while getting to know each other. This will help to make the thank-you note more personal.

What Employers Look For During A Video Interview

There are certain things an employer looks out for when He/She is reviewing the video sent from the candidates for employment. Below I have started four major things an employer looks out for, and you should know them as a candidate.

Try to Answer all asked questions

Before we go for an interview, we prepare and expect some questions to be asked. Fortunately, the questions don’t come by. Rather many unexpected questions come our way. Do your best to answer every question you are asked.

A good hiring manager will invest most of his/her time examining prospective candidates by asking screening questions to know their qualifications. Recruiters want to know if you are the right person for the job. Please don’t give them a reason not to consider you as the best candidate for the role.

Recruiters want to see you show creativity

When tendering your responses, you should relate an experience that best describes how you can perform the task required. Peradventure, you choose to record interview responses in advance and apply to be a chef; for instance, record your answers while you’re preparing a dish in the kitchen.

Have a resume and application ready. 

Videos can pave the way for you, but you still need standard materials at some point in the process. Ensure your experiences and best points tallies with what you say in the video.

Be presentable. 

More importantly, ensure you dress and groom yourself appropriately and practice your answers for you to have the best representation of yourself possible.

Videos are really a good way to stand out from your competitors; that is another applicant as they most likely have only their online text resumes or paper applications. Best of all, submitted videos get forwarded and replayed many times.

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