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How to impress at a Video Interview
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Posted in Candidates on Sep 03, 2012 by Richard Hayden
In a business 
world that is increasingly reliant on technology and online communications, online video interviewing is becoming more and more commonplace. It expedites the recruitment process, reduces costs associated with travel and can help streamline the application screening process.
As a result, automated video interviewing can be an everyday task for an employer, but for the candidate, it is still often unfamiliar territory and can be a little intimidating.
With that in mind, here are some top tips from Christine Tautari of The Needle OnLine on how to impress at a digital interview.
Give yourself an edge
If you know that the industry you are job seeking in is leaning towards digital interviews, embrace the trend and invest in a high-end video CV. Yes, there may be expenses involved, but if your peers are all submitting their credentials digitally, not doing so could see you being left behind in a sea of paper.
Be prepared
As with any sort of interview, use all the information available to prepare yourself. Research the company, prepare any questions you’d like to ask, practice questions you’re likely to be asked.
Be sure you know where the interview is taking place (online interviews will usually take place at a recruitment centre rather than via your own computer), arrive in plenty of time to get yourself situated, and make sure you are familiar with the technology, and if you are not – ask for help before the interview starts!
Dress to impress
Dress as you would for a traditional interview, don’t be tempted to wear jeans thinking you won’t be seen from the waist down – if you have to stand up to leave while still on camera, you’ll get caught out!
Don’t overdo it though – excessive grooming ‘for the camera’ will make an equally bad impression – keep it simple, professional, and natural.
Relax
You’ll likely feel a little unsettled, especially if it’s your first online interview, but don’t panic. Keep yourself calm and relaxed, sit up straight, speak slowly and clearly, and don’t fidget – the microphone will pick up every sound, including tapping feet and/or pens!
Look at the camera, not the screen. Eye contact is vital in a traditional interview, and it works in a video interview too. Pretend the camera is the person interviewing you. Keep looking at it, maintaining ‘eye contact’ as you would with an ‘in person’ interviewer.
If you do fumble, or make a mistake, apologise, recompose yourself, and start again. Your potential employer will appreciate your honesty, and understand that you are not familiar with the format, so won’t hold it against you.
Time is of the essence
Consider your answers before responding to questions, but be wary of long pauses – especially in the case of automated video interviewing where there may be time limits for each question. Whether it’s a one-way or two-way interview though, aim to be concise, avoid clogging your answers with jargon, but provide answers with sufficient detail.
Be yourself
A video interview, just like the traditional version, is your chance to sell yourself to a potential employer. The online element may add extra pressure to the process, but look at that as an extra opportunity to shine. Applicants who can showcase their true personality, stay calm under pressure and be personable while maintaining a level of professionalism, are generally those who are called back for a second interview.
Above all else, practice makes perfect. Think back to your first ever face-to-face interview, were you nervous? Has it got easier since? Digital interviews are the same principal – the more you attend, the better you get at them, and the easier they’ll become.
world that is increasingly reliant on technology and online communications, online video interviewing is becoming more and more commonplace. It expedites the recruitment process, reduces costs associated with travel and can help streamline the application screening process.As a result, automated video interviewing can be an everyday task for an employer, but for the candidate, it is still often unfamiliar territory and can be a little intimidating.
With that in mind, here are some top tips from Christine Tautari of The Needle OnLine on how to impress at a digital interview.
Give yourself an edge
If you know that the industry you are job seeking in is leaning towards digital interviews, embrace the trend and invest in a high-end video CV. Yes, there may be expenses involved, but if your peers are all submitting their credentials digitally, not doing so could see you being left behind in a sea of paper.
Be prepared
As with any sort of interview, use all the information available to prepare yourself. Research the company, prepare any questions you’d like to ask, practice questions you’re likely to be asked.
Be sure you know where the interview is taking place (online interviews will usually take place at a recruitment centre rather than via your own computer), arrive in plenty of time to get yourself situated, and make sure you are familiar with the technology, and if you are not – ask for help before the interview starts!
Dress to impress
Dress as you would for a traditional interview, don’t be tempted to wear jeans thinking you won’t be seen from the waist down – if you have to stand up to leave while still on camera, you’ll get caught out!
Don’t overdo it though – excessive grooming ‘for the camera’ will make an equally bad impression – keep it simple, professional, and natural.
Relax
You’ll likely feel a little unsettled, especially if it’s your first online interview, but don’t panic. Keep yourself calm and relaxed, sit up straight, speak slowly and clearly, and don’t fidget – the microphone will pick up every sound, including tapping feet and/or pens!
Look at the camera, not the screen. Eye contact is vital in a traditional interview, and it works in a video interview too. Pretend the camera is the person interviewing you. Keep looking at it, maintaining ‘eye contact’ as you would with an ‘in person’ interviewer.
If you do fumble, or make a mistake, apologise, recompose yourself, and start again. Your potential employer will appreciate your honesty, and understand that you are not familiar with the format, so won’t hold it against you.
Time is of the essence
Consider your answers before responding to questions, but be wary of long pauses – especially in the case of automated video interviewing where there may be time limits for each question. Whether it’s a one-way or two-way interview though, aim to be concise, avoid clogging your answers with jargon, but provide answers with sufficient detail.
Be yourself
A video interview, just like the traditional version, is your chance to sell yourself to a potential employer. The online element may add extra pressure to the process, but look at that as an extra opportunity to shine. Applicants who can showcase their true personality, stay calm under pressure and be personable while maintaining a level of professionalism, are generally those who are called back for a second interview.
Above all else, practice makes perfect. Think back to your first ever face-to-face interview, were you nervous? Has it got easier since? Digital interviews are the same principal – the more you attend, the better you get at them, and the easier they’ll become.
Good Luck!
