10 Aug Perfecting the Video Job interview: Part 2 The Interview
What To Do During a Virtual Interview
One thing job searching during a global pandemic has taught us, virtual and video job interviews are now part of the standard hiring process.
Knowing how to best present yourself during a video interview are skills today’s job seeker needs to learn and perfect. Best practices for excelling in a virtual interview involve your technical tools, research, plan, and follow-up.
In this post, I cover what to do during the virtual interview itself. In Perfecting the Video Job Interview: Part One, I review how to prepare the technical elements of a virtual or video job interview.
Once you have mastered the prep and tech setup prior to your next video job interview, here are the steps to take the day of and during a virtual job interview:
Dress Professionally
Dress professionally for your video job interview from your head to your toes. I’ll let you wear whatever you want on your feet, but don’t wear ‘interview clothes’ only to your waist. Sure, most of the time your interviewer(s) will only see the top half of your professional attire, but what if you have to stand up? What if you need to go get something? Or stand up to adjust your computer? And when you stand up, what if they see your fleece pajama bottoms with pink bunnies and blue puppies? Dress for a video job interview as you would for an in-person interview to help prevent embarrassment. It will also make you feel more professional than wearing sweatpants will, and that will come across in your body language and confidence.
Eliminate Distractions
What things are going on in the house that could interrupt your interview? If you are home during a pandemic, for example, you may have children there with you. You may live with other family members, dogs, roommates, or all of them. Make sure everyone in the house knows you have a video job interview and to leave you alone, quietly, for the expected length of your interview. I lock my dogs in the house (no doggie door access during my calls) and sometimes give them a nice treat so they are not tempted to interrupt. Is there a project or task you can give your children to keep them occupied while you are conducting your interview?
Also, eliminate anything that may distract your interviewer. Don’t be in front of a wild or moving background (no gardeners mowing the lawn behind you!). Remove the piles of laundry and close the closet behind you. Some interviewers may be more forgiving than others of distractions during an interview, but since you don’t know them well enough to know how they will react, it’s always best to eliminate all potential distractions as best you can.
Test the Tech
Get on your computer or tablet a few minutes before your interview. Check your camera angle, lighting, and audio. You can do all this through your computer without being on the live stream. Go to the camera app or setting on your computer to see what you look like. Need to make adjustments to be sure you look as flattering as possible? Now is the time!
Open the audio setting and test the microphone (either built-in or external). Once you have checked that you look and sound good, log into the designated video streaming software a little early. This will, once again, provide you a buffer if there are any last-minute glitches you need to address before going “live” on the interview. There is nothing worse than starting an interview waiting for someone to get their technology working, especially if that person is you! Those extra few minutes will enable you to get settled, take a deep breath, and focus on the interview to come.
Body Language
How you conduct yourself on a video interview shouldn’t be much different than in an in-person interview. Sit up straight and don’t fidget too much. Remember, you are always on camera, so don’t do anything you wouldn’t want the interviewer to see! No slouching, crossed arms, bored looks, or repeated nose scratching! Be clear when you speak, do not mumble, and try not to speak too fast, even if you are nervous.
Two important things to do to come across well in a video interview: 1) look into the camera lens and 2) smile as you talk. These simple things are very effective in making a good impression, but they don’t come naturally, so you’ll want to practice them before your interview. Most video streaming platforms display images of everyone on the call, including yourself. It is very easy to find yourself looking at your image or those of the others. However, if you are watching the screen, what the interviewer sees is you looking down, not at them! Experiment ahead of time to know where the camera lens is and look straight at it. If you have to pin a photograph, post-it note, or something else above the lens to remind yourself where to look, do so!
Smile while you are talking. Yes, it feels awkward and you will think you look strange, but once again, practice and record yourself doing it. Then record yourself talking without smiling. Play them both back. I bet you will quickly see how much better and approachable you look when you are smiling as you talk. And trust me, it gets easier and more comfortable the more you do it. So, practice! Have I said that before?!
Follow Up
Your follow up after a video interview is no different than a traditional interview. Ask any questions you have, confirm the next steps in the process, and write and send your thank-you note within 48 hours of the interview.
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.
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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