How do you prep for video interviews?
Now that video interviews are the new normal, I wonder how everyone prepares for them - especially in comparison with in-person interviews. Do you do anything different? What your keys to success?
Hey there! I just created a video on this very topic! Perhaps you'll get a couple extra nuggets from here! https://youtu.be/WRFWkC97U5c
Good afternoon. These are all great suggestions and tips. The only one that I can offer is making sure that you have your computer/laptop on a surface where you are looking directly into the camera not down. This may mean putting a couple of books under or using a standing desk. This and a neutral/professional (ie - not in your bathroom or bed) will also help. Good luck!
I will say since I interview mostly with tech companies I've been doing video interviewing for awhile now. There are two key differences for me. Both are positive.
--There's no need to stress about the commute time/traffic. I spend the hour or two before a video interview prepping for the interview, not worrying about full parking lots or missing my exit.
--During that prep time, I put a few of my key skills and experiences that are relevant to the position and write out key words to remind me on sticky notes. Then I place the notes strategically around the camera/monitor so I have an almost straight line of sight to them during the interview. I also include research I've done on the company (values, key products, etc.) that I want to mention during the interview. And I'll write out the names of the people I'm interviewing with just in case I draw a blank at some point. Those sticky notes have saved me more than once, and since they are outside the line of sight of the interviewers it looks like you're making eye contact with them the whole time, when you might actually be sneaking a peak at your sticky notes for help.
Sticky notes are so smart! What a nice bonus of doing a video interview. I usually have a notebook, but I definitely want to try this.
I was interviewing when the stay-home orders started rolling out, and had a few instances in which I interviewed both in-person and then remotely with the same company. I was surprised by how different a few of those interviews felt once the setting changed - even when it included some of the same people that had interviewed me in person.
For me, I attributed the most notable difference to the change in physical space. I underestimated how much walking in to their office made me feel like I was on "interview mode." Seeing everyone at home (and in one case, on their bed) made it feel more casual than usual, so I had to check myself to make sure I stayed in "interview mode" from the start.
I also missed being able to look everyone in the eye and get a feel for their body language. I left less confident about how it went than I'd normally be in person. Although I felt good about my part, it was just hard to get an accurate read of their reactions through a screen.
A few things that worked for me:
1. I still got dressed (including real pants!). Wearing my usual interview clothes helped me get in "interview mode" despite being at home.
2. Before starting each time, I started a Zoom (or whatever program they used) video call to ensure I didn't have anything distracting in the background, see if I needed to prop my laptop up to frame my face, etc. (One on cloudy day, doing so allowed me to adjust my lights to avoid being a dark and shapeless blob due to back-lighting.)
3. I double-checked my mic and video camera before each as well, just in case. I always used headphones, as it helped me cut down on the background noise that always seemed to pop up right before I started. But they are not a must.
4. I stayed confident. It was harder to catch head-nodding or some of the other usual non-verbal cues I'd typically notice, so I just told myself "I'm killing it" the whole time to avoid moments of doubt or insecurity.
5. All the usual interview prep about the company/role/myself that I would have done if meeting in person.
Good luck!
These are all great tips! I would add..making sure you give visual/verbal expressions that you're actually paying attention to the interviewee (i.e. eye contact, smiling, small responses). That also means closing any programs/windows that may be distracting (email, social media, etc.)
These are such great tips! I love how you got into "interview mode" and really covered your bases even before starting the interview.
In my opinion, the prep should be the same. I imagine my video or phone interviews with scenarios and questions, just as I do an in person interview. My keys to success are: 1. researching the company and provide forward thinking innovative questions for the hiring team about what makes the company impactful in their space, 2. Think of the interview as a conversation about your professional self and how you can make a difference in the role you're seeking. 3. Practice a power stance (I got that from Grey's Anatomy). Dr. Shepherd always does her superhero stance to inspire confidence before she goes into surgery, and I took that in and applied it to interviewing (because that's where I have the least confidence).
Thank you, Brittany. I especially love number 2. I think we often focus too much on making ourselves perfect for the company, instead of focusing on our goals and how we can grow.
I agree! I think employment is like a relationship. It shouldn't be solely built on what you can do for your significant other. It goes both ways.
A great metaphor!