Video Interview Tips
  • Publish Date: Posted almost 2 years ago
  • Author:by Dan Stargatt

Video Interview Tips

​If you have never done one before a video interview can feel slightly peculiar, some people feel it’s not as easy to build a rapport with the interviewer. However, there are a number of things you can do to get the best out of a video interview and to help put you at ease and get you ready.  Video interviews are more than likely here to stay, possibly less so for second or third stage interviews, but they will remain a big part of a lot of recruitment processes. So in this article we discuss tips that will help you prepare and get the best out of your video interview… Where will you sit?Pick a place where you won’t be interrupted, it’s quiet and your backdrop is simple. You want to make sure you are the focal point and not something in the background, so you have the interviewers full attention. Another important thing to consider is do you have a strong wi-fi connection where you will be sitting? The last thing you want during your interview is for the connection to cut out or for the connection to be weak throughout the interview making the video stutter. PracticeDepending on what software you will be using it may be a good idea just to do a run through, just to make sure you’re comfortable with using it. You want to try and avoid the “can you hear me?” situation at the beginning of your interview, it’s just not a good way to start. ​If it is a new software that you don't have access to, so you will need to download, make sure you download well ahead of the interview and not minutes before, as this will more than likely make you late for the interview... being on time is still as important as it is if it was a face to face interview. Notes at the readyLike any interview… do your research. So if you have a number of questions you want to ask or just some notes about the company you are interviewing for, write them down and have them next to you during your interview. Be mindful though not to over use your notes, as you don’t want to be seen looking down at your note pad constantly during your interview.  Dress for the occasion Just because you’re not sitting opposite the person in the same room doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress professionally. Think smart casual and remember to dress head to toe!  Close all other applications The last thing you want when you are trying to focus is a load of notifications coming through via email. Plus it’s annoying for the other people on the call. Close all other programmes and just have the video conference tool open, you can catch up with your emails and other things after… just focus on nailing your interview! Your Body languageBe relaxed, not slumped and make sure you look at the camera not the screen for the majority of the interview. It’s the only way you can make virtual eye contact with the interviewer.​​Want more interview advice?We have written a number of articles offering advice on interviewing, below are some of the most popular…​How to research a company before your interview5 impressive questions to ask in your interview7 tricky interview questions and how to tackle them Looking for a new job? We have a huge number of great opportunities with great employers across the construction, civils, rail, power and telecoms sectors. Search our current construction jobs, civils jobs, rail jobs, power jobs and telecoms jobs.  Browse jobs​Get in touch with our recruitment specialistsIf you are keen to discuss your current situation and want to find out how we can help you make your next career step then get in touch with our team of recruitment experts. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you and your career progress. Contact us

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​If you have never done one before a video interview can feel slightly peculiar, some people feel it’s not as easy to build a rapport with the interviewer. However, there are a number of things you can do to get the best out of a video interview and to help put you at ease and get you ready.

 

Video interviews are more than likely here to stay, possibly less so for second or third stage interviews, but they will remain a big part of a lot of recruitment processes. So in this article we discuss tips that will help you prepare and get the best out of your video interview…

 

Where will you sit?

Pick a place where you won’t be interrupted, it’s quiet and your backdrop is simple. You want to make sure you are the focal point and not something in the background, so you have the interviewers full attention. Another important thing to consider is do you have a strong wi-fi connection where you will be sitting? The last thing you want during your interview is for the connection to cut out or for the connection to be weak throughout the interview making the video stutter.

 

Practice

Depending on what software you will be using it may be a good idea just to do a run through, just to make sure you’re comfortable with using it. You want to try and avoid the “can you hear me?” situation at the beginning of your interview, it’s just not a good way to start.

If it is a new software that you don't have access to, so you will need to download, make sure you download well ahead of the interview and not minutes before, as this will more than likely make you late for the interview... being on time is still as important as it is if it was a face to face interview.

 

Notes at the ready

Like any interview… do your research. So if you have a number of questions you want to ask or just some notes about the company you are interviewing for, write them down and have them next to you during your interview. Be mindful though not to over use your notes, as you don’t want to be seen looking down at your note pad constantly during your interview.

 

Dress for the occasion

Just because you’re not sitting opposite the person in the same room doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress professionally. Think smart casual and remember to dress head to toe!

 

Close all other applications

The last thing you want when you are trying to focus is a load of notifications coming through via email. Plus it’s annoying for the other people on the call. Close all other programmes and just have the video conference tool open, you can catch up with your emails and other things after… just focus on nailing your interview!

 

Your Body language

Be relaxed, not slumped and make sure you look at the camera not the screen for the majority of the interview. It’s the only way you can make virtual eye contact with the interviewer.

Want more interview advice?

We have written a number of articles offering advice on interviewing, below are some of the most popular…

 

Looking for a new job? 

We have a huge number of great opportunities with great employers across the construction, civils, rail, power and telecoms sectors. Search our current construction jobs, civils jobs, rail jobs, power jobs and telecoms jobs.

 

Browse jobs

Get in touch with our recruitment specialists

If you are keen to discuss your current situation and want to find out how we can help you make your next career step then get in touch with our team of recruitment experts. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you and your career progress.

 

Contact us