Tips for Video Interviews

Posted by Kelly Nichols on Dec 5, 2017 9:01 AM

Tips for Video Interviews

With the advancement of technology and the increase of internet speeds, we are seeing more and more clients request video interviews instead of face to face for contract, contract to hire and permanent positions. This is huge because it gives clients more access to a wider range of candidates without having to fly them all onsite.

Here are some tips to help you have a successful video interview. Most of your video interviews are usually conducted in a home.

Background

  • Find a well-lit room. Preferable a room with an overhead light in it. Never use a bedroom.
  • The room must be a quiet room to where you won’t be disturbed. e. family, dogs, home phone, etc. Make sure the room doesn’t echo when you speak.
  • Find a wall where there are no pictures as your background.

Technology

  • Find out ahead of time what technology the client will be using for the interview and download it ahead of time. For example, Skype, Zoom, etc.
  • Use your laptop or desktop computer only for the interview. Do not use your cell phone.
  • Make sure your internet is a high speed connection to minimize the buffering and the voice cutting out.
  • It is recommended that you use a head set for the microphone. Reasons are the speaker works like a speakerphone and it picks up everything including fans from your furnace and the voice echo’s off of the walls.
  • Frame the video to see your shoulders up to your head.
  • Test the video with a family member to ensure the technology works.
  • Report any errors to your recruiter before the interview.

Dress

  • Men, suit and tie blue or black in color. With the tie, keep it to a conservative color only with a white collared shirt. I have had people wear Dr. Seus or Star Wars in the past.
  • Women, modest blue or black dress plain with no flower prints. Light Jewelry nothing too large. You want the focus to be on what you say not what you are wearing.

Lastly, if you don’t like seeing yourself on screen or it is a distraction there is an option to disable or minimize yourself. Overall, the video interview is a way to make a connection without having to pay for the travel and expenses.

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