How To Nail a Video Interview

By the year 2022, Cisco predicts that more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic will be videos – a 15 times increase since 2017. Couple this fact with research from Insivia that shows viewers are able to retain 95% of a message when it is delivered via video, compared to 10% when it is delivered as text, and it isn’t surprising that so many businesses are turning to video interviews for recruitment.

While writing a killer CV is still important, we have found that pairing candidate’s CVs with video interviews enables businesses to recruit more efficiently and candidates can find suitable work more easily.

Here’s what you need to know in order to shine in your video interview.

Find Somewhere Quiet and Private

When you are in a face-to-face interview, you don’t want other people constantly coming in and interrupting the process. The same is true when you are undergoing a video interview. Make sure that you have somewhere quiet and private in your home where you can be certain that you won’t be disturbed and there won’t be any noise or other distractions.

If you live with other people, make sure that they are aware that you are being interviewed so they can avoid disturbing you and keep their noise down if necessary. If you are responsible for looking after children and there is no alternative but be available to them if they need you during your interview, you should explain this to your interview at the beginning.

Make Sure Your Internet Is Stable

Of course, if there is a problem with your internet connection, then there may not be anything that you can do to prevent this. However, if you know that your internet connection struggles with multiple connections, disconnect as many devices as possible and ask anyone who you live with if they can temporarily disconnect as well, to make your connection more reliable.

If your internet connection is perpetually unreliable, ask someone you know who has a stable connection if you can do your interview from their home. Some people may also find that plugging their computer directly into the router using an Ethernet cable is more reliable than a Wi-Fi connection.

Check Your Microphone and Webcam Beforehand

You want to minimise the potential for technical issues to occur during your interview. Two things that you can easily check yourself beforehand are whether the camera and microphone that you are going to be using are working properly. You should be able to check both devices from your system settings, or you can use any software that utilises either bit of hardware, to check that they are working properly.

If you discover that either piece of hardware is not working or is unreliable, you will have time to solve the issue before your interview begins. You can always fall back on your smartphone if necessary.

Close Any Applications You Don’t Need Open

Another simple thing that you can do to reduce the chances of any technical issues during your interview is to close any applications on your computer that you don’t need running. This will minimise the possibility of any software conflicts arising and ensures that there won’t be any issues with available system resources for your video call.

Dress To Impress

Just because you are not in the room with your interviewer, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make an effort with regards to your appearance. It is still essential that you dress up appropriately for a job interview.

Remember, the way that you present will determine how you come across to a prospective employer. If you want them to think of you as a professional and conscientious interviewee, you need to dress smartly and show them that you are taking the process seriously.

Choose Your Background Carefully

When you are choosing a suitable location for your interview, it is vital that you consider the background behind you. If at all possible, you should sit in front of a plain and neutral background, avoid bright colours and complex patterns that are likely to distract the interviewer’s eye.

If you have some tasteful or subtle art behind you, that shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you have lots of posters on the wall that would look out of place in a regular job interview setting then it is generally a good idea to take these down for your interview.

Keep A Pen And Notepad Nearby

Over the course of your interview, there may well be things that you want to make a note of. It might seem obvious to do this on your computer, but it is safer to avoid using your computer during the interview, just in case using additional applications causes it to crash unexpectedly.

Instead of trying to open up word processing software while being interviewed, which is distracting, keep a notepad and pen nearby so that you can quickly and easily make any notes that you need to.

Show That You Are Listening

Just like a regular interview, it is important that your interviewer knows that you are paying attention and listening to them throughout the process. Respond to the things that they say and ask questions if you have any. A common mistake that candidates make when they are being interviewed remotely is to forget that just because the interviewer isn’t in the room, it doesn’t mean the interviewer can’t see and hear them.

Maintain Eye Contact

When you are sat physically opposite your interviewer, it is natural to make and maintain eye contact with them. However, when you are sitting in front of a computer, this does not come as naturally. Remember that while you are being interviewed remotely, your webcam is serving as your interviewers. You should listen to what they say and try to position the window with the video feed near to the camera so that you can move your eyes between them without it looking like you are breaking eye contact.

Turn Your Phone Off

This is the most basic interview etiquette lesson, but it is also one of the most important. Just because the interviewer isn’t in the room with you, that doesn’t mean it is ok for you to check your phone when you are supposed to be paying attention to the interview.

In short, you should treat a video interview like a regular interview. While they are a much more efficient way of conducting interviews, interviewees should still maintain the same standards of care and professionalism.

About Acquire Digital Talent

In 2018 Acquire was established by Alex Marriner who has over a decade of experience within the Digital Marketing Recruitment space.

We are dedicated to securing the very best Digital Marketing talent for some of the most exciting tech start-ups, high growth businesses & established brands in London and across Digital Hubs within Europe. These include brands such as Starling Bank, Popsa, Motorway, Houst, and Trainline.

We bring the knowledge and expertise to build highly successful Digital Marketing teams so your business can grow whilst supporting Digital Marketing professionals with the guidance required to further their careers.

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