24 Jul Perfecting the Video Job interview: Part 1 Before the Interview
Before Your Virtual Job Interview
How we interact, communicate, and meet with people have all changed since the coronavirus pandemic. These changes are likely to stay with us for a while. Yes, most of us will go back to working outside the home again. However, everything won’t go back to exactly how it was. This IS the new normal.
Job interviews have changed, too. During the pandemic, companies established they can interview, hire, and onboard new employees virtually, so the practice is here to stay. Even when companies and candidates can meet face-to-face for an interview, the convenience and ease of a video interview make it a tool likely to become a permanent part of the recruiting process.
You should prepare for ANY job interview, but double down on your preparation for a video interview. The questions you will be asked in a virtual interview are the same as that of an in-person one. And you will still conduct yourself professionally and build rapport with your interviewer. But how you do these on video is different than in-person.
If you think you can “wing” a video job interview, you’ll likely soon find that was a mistake. There are many ways a video job interview can go wrong. If you don’t prepare for and master how to interview on video, it may prevent you from getting the job. Knowing how to set up and conduct an effective video interview is important during times of social distancing, but are also important skills you’ll use throughout your career.
In this post, I will review what and how to prepare before the video job interview. In the next post, I’ll cover what to do during the virtual interview itself.
Research and Be Ready
Do your research before the interview. This step is important and needs to be done whether your interview is in-person or video. Research the company, understand the background of those who will be speaking to you, the role and responsibilities of the position you are interviewing for, and prepare the questions you’ll want to be answered. Also, have a copy of your resume printed (yes, even for a video interview), know the success metrics you will share, have solid real-life examples of when you excelled in a previous role, and how that experience will demonstrate your capabilities for the job you are applying for. Do this prep for ANY job interview, however, it is even more important to be ready with great answers to anticipated interview questions so you are comfortable and confident. Just in case one of the other aspects of the interview doesn’t go according to plan, you will still show you are qualified, experienced, prepared, thorough, and a great hire!
Prep the Tech
I have been guilty of this in the past, so do as I say not as I did! Do not wait until right before the interview to log onto the interviewer’s streaming platform for the first time! From experience, I can tell you there is nothing worse than the dread you feel when you realize there is a software program you need to download to join the video call and the call is about to start. To avoid this, when you first get the calendar invite or login information for the interview, click the link that’s included to see if you have everything you need already or if you must download software, create an account, remember your password, or any other issues that will prevent you from easily joining the interview at the appropriate time.
Camera Angle
Knowing where to place your camera can make a HUGE difference in how you appear during the interview. If the camera is too low or under your face, your interviewer will be looking up your nose for the entirety of the interview. Not to mention it is not a flattering look. Ever catch yourself looking down at your phone when it is unexpectedly on selfie mode? Eek! Do you really want that to be the angle your interviewer is looking at? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Whether you are using a laptop, tablet, or phone to conduct the interview, ensure the camera is slightly higher than your head. You can easily achieve this by putting your laptop on a stack of books or hooking the PopSocket of your mobile device on the rim of a coffee mug that is sitting on a box. Have the camera slightly above your head, with the lens looking slightly down so you will be looking slightly up. This creates a nice, flattering angle. You are likely already using this angle for your selfies, create a similar one for video interviews.
Lighting
Your lighting may be as important as your camera angle. Ever been on a video call with someone who was essentially a dark shadow on the screen? That’s because the light was behind them. It’s hard for an interviewer to get excited about talking to someone they can’t see. To look your best on camera, you want balanced light with no shadows on your face. The easiest way to achieve this is by sitting in front of a window facing it, so the light is falling evenly across your face. However, it should not be so bright you are squinting or washed out. If you don’t have a window to sit in front of or your interview is at night, a lamp works nicely. Use a tall lamp so the light is in front and above you, not under your chin as in a horror movie. Place the lamp close enough to your computer to light your face, not cast shadows across it.
Audio
It’s important to be seen, but it’s more important to be heard in a video job interview. Bad audio is so distracting, calls have been known to be cut short because it’s so annoying to have to struggle to hear what is being said, combating static or a voice dropping in and out. To avoid all those scenarios, I would not rely on the built-in microphone of your device to conduct a video interview. If you are too far from the camera without a microphone, you may not be heard. If you are up close to the camera lens to ensure you are heard, your face is practically pressed up against the camera. The good news is you can sound good without having to buy a fancy microphone. I recommend using earbuds with a microphone for your interviews. They will help ensure you can hear everything said by your interviewer, and best of all, the microphone will make everything you say sound clear and crisp. The earbuds that come with your phone should be fine, assuming it has a microphone. If you don’t already have earbuds, you can find them from very inexpensive to expensive. You can easily get a quality set of earbuds with a microphone for less than $10. If you have to buy a pair, consider buying them in black so it is likely to blend more with your clothing than, say, a hot pink set of earbuds.
Select Your ‘Set’
Where are you going to be sitting for the interview? Think about what your interviewer will be looking at during the interview, because, oh yes, they will be checking out your surroundings. Will they see a messy bedroom with an unmade bed and a pile of laundry? Or will they see a neat and tidy desk with an organized bookshelf behind you? Will they see you at the kitchen table with a bright, minimalist, and clean living area? Or at a kitchen table with a messy kitchen with dirty dishes stacked up? A simple and plain background is always ideal to avoid distracting your interviewer. Is there a place in your home with a solid-colored wall, good lighting, and a window? Great! If you don’t have a desk in it, you can use a card table, wine rack, or end table to set up your computer or camera.
The recent COVID-19 outbreak has changed the way we conduct our professional lives, and I foresee these changes staying with us well beyond the pandemic and into the next crisis. Many hiring managers and recruiters are switching to — and embracing — video interviews, so perfecting the video job interview now will serve you well throughout your career.
In the next post, you’ll learn how to perfect the actual virtual interview.
This post was excerpted from my book Your Career Survival Guide: How to Get and Keep a Job in Times of Crisis ©2020 by Christy Noel.
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