Video interviews are so important! In the midst of a pandemic, we are all using video ALL THE TIME.
How many of you are judge-y when you watch people broadcast from their homes? Raise your hand if you were evaluating the basement offices of NFL executives during the live draft! Wondering why some of the news anchors are in office and others home? Maybe you caught the segment with the dr who had an empty wine glass behind him? Exactly!
Video paints a picture. You need to paint right picture for your next video interview. It makes an impression even before you speak! Make sure you practice, know where to look, and have your elevator pitch, strengths, weaknesses, and STAR stories down for behavioral questions.
Set Yourself Up for Success
It’s ok to have a few notes on your computers but do not read from your screen verbatim. Make eye contact and keep your hands from flailing around (hey NJ/NY I’m talking to you!). Critically assess the environment around you – make sure its professional and doesn’t have any personal items. Practice to be sure you don’t do weird things with your face, fidget awkwardly, or do anything else unintentionally that can give an interviewer pause. And turn off your sound on computer and phone! The last thing you need is for a group text to light up when you’re busy selling yourself!
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
When you are doing a video interview, it’s crucial that you not only prepare for the questions the interviewer may ask, but also the technology. Just yesterday, I spoke with a client who neglected to test her Zoom connection before an interview because she was working up until 2 minutes before. As a result, she had to take the call from the phone. It was a great interview, but at the end of the day they went with someone else. Why? Most likely because it leaves a nagging feeling in the interviewers mind that you are unprepared. Will you handle client calls in the same way? Do you really even want the job? Don’t leave them guessing.
Practice Makes Perfect
A great way to prepare for a video interview is to practice! Have someone you trust video call you from another room or from their house. Have them advise you on your eye movement, hand placement, anything that can create unnecessary distractions. Do you look away when you are nervous? Put your hands in a weird spot? During the interview is not the time to find out. You need to be ready before and practice not doing it.
One thing that many people do not realize is that looking into someones eyes on a computer screen does not always mean you’re making eye contact. Test this out to be sure you are looking into the camera.
Be Gracious and Professional
Finally, make sure everyone in your house knows what is going on. Lock—heck, barricade—your door to avoid intrusions. Yes, it’s probably acceptable if something happens and emergencies are different. But doesn’t it make a better impression if you don’t have any unwanted interruptions? In the event that something happens, make sure your response does not show a side of you that you don’t want to convey. Take it in stride and don’t let it rattle you. Show your prospective employer how you would handle unplanned interruptions in the workplace.
For more tips, follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/thejobgirl or on connect with me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccahenninger.