Video Interview Tips: How to Prepare for a Video Interview?

Video or Virtual interviews have numerous advantages over conventional in-person interviews, making them an important part of the modern hiring process. Virtual interviews resemble face-to-face interviews but have many differences. There are no geographical constraints, and candidates from anywhere can participate in it. Plus, it allows employers to automate candidate screening and improve the data quality of recruitment management systems.

What started off as the only option for hiring during the pandemic soon became a great option for employers to save time and resources. According to research by Indeed, 82% of employers adopted virtual interviews when the pandemic came. However,  93% continued with video interviews as they offered convenience and flexibility. Also, 77% of employers believe that virtual interviews improve the overall candidate experience.

As virtual interviews have become as common as in-person interviews, you must be prepared for them. In this blog, we have shared useful tips to help you do well in your next video interview.

Why are video interviews so popular?

Virtual/video interviews are conducted using video conferencing apps like Zoom, Google Meet, etc.  They are a cost-effective and time-efficient option for in-person interviews, as employers can schedule and conduct multiple interviews.

Video interviews give an advantage for candidates who live in another state or country, as they don’t need to travel to the job location. Candidates from different places can apply and try for jobs that are not accessible to them due to location. It also gives companies access to a larger group of talented people. In addition, virtual interviews help reduce stress for candidates since they don’t need to worry about travel or finding a place to stay.

What are the common types of video interviews?

The most suitable type of video interviewing depends on the specific needs of the company and the role in question, as each type has its unique advantages and drawbacks.

• Online video interview: This is a real-time interaction where the interviewer and candidate engage in a live video call, resembling an in-person interview but conducted remotely.
• One-way video interview: In this format, the interviewer sends pre-recorded questions to the candidate, who records their responses separately. The interviewer then reviews the recorded video later.
• Panel video interview: Multiple interviewers participate in this real-time video interview, allowing for a collaborative assessment of the candidate. It typically involves several people on the same video call.
• Pre-recorded video interview: Candidates record responses to predetermined interview questions, which the interviewer reviews later. This provides flexibility in scheduling and evaluation.
• Virtual reality interview: This innovative format immerses the candidate in a virtual environment, interacting with avatars. Although relatively new, it offers a unique and immersive way for companies to assess candidates.
• Asynchronous video interview: In this format, candidates independently navigate through a structured interview process, responding to text-based questions in front of a webcam. The term “asynchronous” indicates that candidates conduct the interview independently, at their chosen time and location, without the interviewer being present online simultaneously.

What to expect in a video interview?

Depending on the type of video interview, you can expect different kinds of questions, like situational, behavioral, or technical. The length of the interview can also vary. Some may last only 30 minutes, while others can go on for over an hour. You might have to do just one video interview, or there could be several rounds, all done through video.

Every company follows its own process to evaluate job candidates. So, when you’re invited to interview with a hiring manager or recruiter, it’s a good idea to ask about how their interview process works. This will help you prepare better and know what’s going to happen.

Video interview formats

Video interviews typically occur in one of two formats: live or pre-recorded.

• Live: In a live video interview, an interviewer interacts with you in real time, posing questions similar to those in an in-person interview.
• Pre-recorded: In a pre-recorded video interview, you don’t have a live interviewer to talk to or ask questions. Instead, you need to record responses to a set of questions.

Tips To Prepare For Video Interviews

Read these tips so that you are geared up for your next video interview.
Preparation for the Interview:

• Plan your interview dress: Most companies have a dress code, so it’s best that you ask the HR about it. If you don’t want to ask, choose formal attire. That’s the safest bet. But make sure the clothes you choose are comfortable and make you feel confident. To gain confidence, you can check different outfits in a test video and choose the one that looks the best on you. Avoid patterns and overly bright colors.

• Prepare notes: Make notes about the company’s mission and culture, and review the job description. Make sure you have answers ready to describe how your experience aligns with the employer’s interests. For the interview, you can keep some of these notes for reference. But don’t make it look like you are reading from it and aren’t prepared at all.
• Practice with a mock interview: Familiarize yourself with the video format by practicing. Try to keep the video interview practice session between 15 and 30 minutes. This will give you time to analyze and get feedback on things like background, lighting, and eye contact, which are extremely important.

Before the interview starts:

• Find a suitable place: Choose the ideal place/location to give a video interview. A room that is well-lit, has good ventilation, and is quiet is the perfect place. Natural light is ideal, but you can use white lights to brighten a darker room.
• Check your background: Ensure the place is clutter-free and looks clean. If you feel the background is not appropriate, use a virtual background. A virtual background is a good option to give a professional look during video interviews.
• Position your laptop correctly: Check if the placement of your laptop is correct. You can do that using the same video conferencing app that will be used for the interview. Sit at a distance that’s neither too close nor too far from the camera. If you are not visible, keep books or other objects to keep the laptop or monitor at your eye level.
• Ensure a good internet connection: It’s important to have a seamless internet connection for remote interviews. Technical glitches often put off the employer, ruining your chances. So, double-check your Wi-Fi and ensure the connection is strong during the interview.

• Silence your phone: Minimize distractions during the interview by putting your phone on silent mode. This ensures you won’t be interrupted by unexpected calls or messages during crucial moments.
• Ensure your laptop is charged: Video interviews can span from 30 minutes to an hour, so it’s essential to have your computer ready. If not connected to a power source, ensure your laptop is fully charged to prevent interruptions during the interview.
• Log in early: Some video conferencing software may require updates, and not all programs prompt for permission to do so. Log in approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled interview to avoid potential delays. This allows for any necessary software updates and gives you time to ensure everything is set up. Log back five minutes before the interview begins and mute yourself until others join the call.

During the interview

• Make “eye contact“: Achieving good eye contact over video is challenging. But you can still do it by looking into your camera. Make sure your camera position is at eye level so that it gives the impression of an eye contact.
• Handle distractions: You may face unexpected disruptions like a neighbor’s dog barking or someone entering the room by mistake. Address these incidents calmly and explain what’s happening. Interviewers often appreciate proactive communication in such situations.
• Pay attention to your body language: Transmitting your feelings can be tricky in a virtual setting. Sit up straight, nod, smile, and use visible body language to express interest. Despite the casual feel of a video interview, treat it with the same level of professionalism as an in-person interview.

• Mute yourself when necessary: If your environment is genuinely quiet, leaving yourself unmuted can create a more natural conversation. However, if there’s background noise, consider muting yourself when you’re not speaking to ensure clear communication.
• Ask questions: Be ready with a couple of relevant questions to ask during a video interview. Many interviewers allocate time for this purpose. Prepare a few questions in advance and include them in your notes for easy reference.

After the video interview

• Follow-up: It’s always good to send a follow-up email a couple of days after the interview. If you’ve been coordinating with a recruiter, direct your ‘Thank you’ note to them. You can also email the hiring manager directly if they have shared their contact information with you.

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Conclusion

Video interviews are now a regular part of how companies hire people. That’s why it’s important to know how to perform well in them. By using our video interview tips, you’ll feel more confident and ready to succeed in your next online interview.

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