Any type of interview requires a good amount of preparation if you want to have it go as well as possible. However, in recent years a different type of interview has become very popular. For decades, interviews were either over the phone or in person. But, particularly during the pandemic, video interviews became the norm and that hasn’t really changed since.
As phone interviews are different than in-person interviews, video interviews are also a bit different and require some different preparatory steps. Let’s take a look at some tips to prepare for your next video interview.
Prepare as you would for a face-to-face interview.
The “what” of your interview is far more significant than the “how.” So, do your initial prep for a video interview exactly as you would for a face-to-face interview. Do your research on the company, the position you’re applying for, and, if it’s possible, the interviewer.
Practice answering questions you anticipate being asked. Have a good narrative to walk through your background and experience, highlighting areas of specific relevance and value to the position you are being considered for. Prepare your own list of questions that you will ask the interviewer when it’s your turn. Depending on the interview process, this may be your only opportunity to make a personal impression on the interviewer, so make sure you are poised to take advantage of the interview and put your best foot forward.
Rehearse your responses.
As with any interview, you want to have ready answers to key questions you expect. One great way to prepare is to write out your responses in advance. You don’t necessarily want to write out complete sentences of a script you would memorize. Instead, focus on bullet points of key areas you want to cover for expected questions.
Once you have the answers written out, it’s not a bad idea to rehearse them out loud. If you have a friend or partner who can play the role of interviewer, this is really the best way to rehearse. But, even if you just talk through each answer out loud to yourself, you’ll get a lot of value from rehearsing.
When the time comes for the interview, you could be tempted to have several windows open or documents out because the interviewer can’t see your screen or your desk. But, if you go this route, don’t actually read from those documents. Instead, just use them to include key topics you want to highlight, that you can then speak to without spouting memorized answers. You want to sound prepared, but not totally rehearsed in your answers.
Check your technological setting.
This is one of the most important tips, specific to a video interview. You need to check your computer or whatever device you plan to use for the interview. Make sure you have the necessary online meeting software downloaded in advance. One huge error interviewees can make is signing in to the meeting on time, only to discover they need to download an app. Suddenly their on-time arrival is delayed to download and launch new software. This immediately creates stress and gets your interview off on a sour note.
So, look at the invitation and identify what video meeting platform is being used. It should be apparent in the link to join the meeting if it isn’t called out in the meeting description. Once you know the platform, make sure you have downloaded and tested the latest version of their software.
Prepare the stage
You have a lot more control over your surroundings when you attend a virtual interview, which is a real positive. You may set up your place on your own schedule rather than worrying about getting somewhere and making it to someone’s office on time. So, think about what your interviewer is going to see when your face pops up on the screen. Since you’re probably doing the video interview from home, be aware of what’s in the background. Find a place that is tidy and free from household distractions. If you have a home office, that’s obviously ideal. Consider what’s on the walls behind you or visible on the desk, etc. Clean things up if it’s messy.
You should also consider lighting. This may not be a movie shoot, but you don’t want your face to be all in shadow or in a spotlight either. Sign in and watch yourself on the video screen to make sure your lighting is natural and not distracting.
Dress professionally
Here’s one that doesn’t change much from an in-person interview. Dress for the job you are going for. At the same time, you want to be comfortable and confident. So, consider a few options and pick the one that you feel the best wearing.
There’s an old rule of in-person interviewing (it goes for sales calls too), that you want to dress one notch above the dress code of the business you are speaking with. So, if they are a super casual workplace, you might just take it up one step with a nice shirt. What you don’t want to do is dress down from the company norm.
Admittedly, with so many of us working from home these days, work attire has evolved a lot. But, unless you have a very thorough understanding of the company and interviewer so that you know showing up in a t-shirt is going to be well-received, don’t do it.
