Video interviews have firmly established their place in the recruiter’s toolkit. Whether they are experienced as a natural interaction in the comfort of your own home or as a clumsy symbiosis of physical presence and remote connection depends on many variables – including how well you have prepared!
1. Prepare Carefully for the Video Interview
A video interview is a job interview just like one conducted face-to-face, which is why you should prepare for it much like a traditional interview.
- Research: Look into the company or organization you're applying to.
- Ask Questions: Prepare a few questions for the interviewer.
- Show Value: Think about how your skills can help the company achieve its goals.
- Be Concrete: Read the job advertisement carefully and prepare to give concrete examples of your expertise.
Tip! Nervous about the interview? Take a look at [what might be asked in a job interview] and get ready! You can write things down on paper, but in the actual situation, glancing at notes might make you appear restless—it's better to leave the extra slips of paper aside.
2. Calm the Background and Environment
Ensure that the environment where you sit is well-lit, you are sitting comfortably (you can also stand if it feels more natural!), and the screen is at a suitable distance from your face.
Aim to choose a neutral background and shut out distractions:
- Put your phone on silent and turn off the TV.
- Close other tabs on your computer.
- Ensure no one interrupts you—not even your cat. This gives a professional impression and allows you to focus entirely on succeeding.
3. Test Your Equipment Before the Interview
Do the camera, microphone, and headphones work? Is the internet connection stable? Using headphones ensures that audio doesn't loop and disrupt the conversation. If possible, make a test call with someone beforehand to make necessary adjustments:
Tip: Is the camera height correct? The camera should be roughly at eye level. Raise it if necessary by, for example, stacking books under your laptop.
Check the platform in advance as well. Most interviews take place via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet. Log into the platform 5–10 minutes early to ensure everything is working normally so you can start on time.
4. Body Language and Dressing Build Confidence
Just like in a regular interview, eye contact is important: try to direct your answers to the camera. Don't forget to smile and listen actively. Avoid staring at the table, wall, or screen. However, you don't need to be stiff—speak and use gestures as you would in a regular conversation. The more natural you are, the better! Regarding clothing, the safest bet is to dress neatly, just as you would for an in-person meeting.
Handling Problems
Did the connection drop? Did a glass of water spill on your keyboard? Are you late for some reason? The most important thing is to keep a cool head and be honest! Contact the interviewer immediately and explain what happened. Human errors happen to everyone—the situation can surely be resolved one way or another.
Last but not least: be yourself and have fun. Good luck with your video interview!