As hiring becomes global and more and more employees work remotely, there is an increasing trend of companies using video calls for interviewing preliminary candidates. Preparation for this kind of interview requires additional effort to meet the technical and environmental requirements in order to leave a good impression on the interviewer.
If you want to ace a video job interview, it is important to prepare yourself well. Here are some tips:
1. Get familiar with the application you are going to use
If you haven`t use the application (Skype, Wepow, Google Hangouts etc.) you are going to use during an interview, first of all, you have to understand how it works.
It is important to learn and get familiar with app interface and do a few test calls.
2. Test your internet connection
Use a private and reliable internet domain.
It is not recommended to use domains of cafes and hotels or any other public domain because they are unstable and you can not rely on them.
3. Test your equipment
Do not allow some technical details such as a bad microphone, headset or camera affect the quality of the interview with a potential employer. Things like bad audio and interrupting cameras can leave the impression of unprofessionalism and leave an unpleasant overall impression of the interview.
So the day before the interview, test video and sound quality.
Also, before the interview, close all running programs, except the app you are using!
4. Have a professional username
It would be the best if you can use your name as your profile username. However, if it’s already taken, you can use numbers as an extension to your name.
Do not use goofy words or nicknames, it may seem unprofessional and the interviewers may feel not respected.
5. Control your surroundings
- First, you have to make sure there are no loud noises in the background. You need a quiet room where you will not be disturbed.
- It could be useful to put a note on the door to prevent loud intruders.
- Pay attention to your background. Keep it neat and simple.
- The more stuff that`s in the room, the better sound is.
Empty room creates an echo, which can be annoying for anyone listening on video, especially if a floor isn’t carpeted. - The light source should be in front of you. It’s best that you can use natural lighting and sit in front of the window, but if that is not the case, use the lamp with optimal lighting intensity.
6. Put your camera at eye-level
If you are using a laptop the camera is usually several inches below your eyes, so when you angle it at your face, it shows the ceiling.
You have to stack your computer up until your camera is at eye-level because that is a most natural angle for conversation.
7. Do not look at your computer screen
Although it may seem weird, always look at your webcam while you speaking. In this way, an interviewer will have the feeling of looking directly into his / her eyes, which has proven to have a significant psychological impact on the development of trust.
8. Watch your body language
Physical cues can be even more noticeable on video, so do not slouch in your seat or rest your head in your hand. Adopt a posture that is relaxed and open. Try not to move around. Every move can be really distracting.
9. Dress up for the interview
Keep in mind that even if you do not have an interview in a formal setting – you will probably have it from home, it is a formal situation so dress up as you would normally do in a face to face interview.
10. Expect worst, hope for the best
Despite all the preparations, technical problems occur occasionally (the connection is lost, the computer turns off, etc.) Remain calm and just reconnect and explain the situation.
After the interview, do not forget to send a follow-up Thank You Mail. It’s a great opportunity to reinforce your strengths as an applicant and affirm your interest in the position.
So, what else to say… Good luck on the interview!
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