Top five tips for nailing your next video job interview

In a world where video meetings have become a large part of our working day, we are still seeing many job interviews being executed through video calls and as much as we encourage face-to-face interviews, sometimes this is the preference.

Interviews can be stressful at the best of times but throw in technical difficulties, time differences and perhaps a delay or two and that can really bring the heat right up and perhaps throw you off your game! So here are our five tips for nailing your next job interview via a video call.

1. Get the tech sorted ahead of time

Video call you say? Sure thing, what is your preference? Zoom, Teams, Google meet, WebEx, Facetime? You name it, we’ve seen them all and no matter what the tech, it’s always best to download the software ahead of time to make sure there are no technical glitches at the time that matters most.

The company you are interviewing with will have their own preferred technology and share the details with you ahead of time. We suggest testing the video and audio so you not only know that it works but also so you can see what the visual looks like.

It’s also really important to be on time, not early (or late of course!). Many interviewers may use the same video link for other meetings so it’s important to ensure that you don’t arrive too early and interrupt another meeting.

2. Create a professional space

We know that not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated office or room for a desk in their home, however, it’s so important to take note of your space and create a professional environment where possible. Test the video with the platform and see what is in view – you might be surprised what can be seen in the background of your calls! Remove any items that are not necessary or even furry friends that are cute but could be distracting.

It also helps to shut any windows or doors to drown out outside noise – we’ve all been there when all of a sudden, the lawnmower starts next door at the worst possible time! It’s all about eliminating distractions so that the interviewer can concentrate on what you are saying rather than what is going on around you.

3. Dress to impress

We encourage our candidates to dress for interviews the way you would dress if you were meeting a new client for the first time. The same goes for video calls. You may only be seen from the top up but making an impression is equally as important and you should select the appropriate attire for the role you are applying for.

4. Be aware of your body language

When interviewing over a video call, it can be challenging to read your interviewer’s body language and hard to get a sense of how the interview is going. You may not get as much positive reinforcement throughout the call as you would if you were in person, e.g. head nodding and smiling.

Don’t let this put you off! The challenge here is for the candidate to bring as much warmth to the call as possible and do what you can to build rapport. One of our biggest tips to candidates for these calls is ‘don’t forget to smile!’ and ‘don’t be afraid to show some personality!’.

Pop a post-it note on your computer to remind you as smiling can sometimes be the last thing on your mind when you are wracking your brain trying to answer some tricky questions. Also be conscious not to fidget, swing on your chair, play with your hair or other movements which can be distracting for your interviewer.

5. Slow it down

Talking fast is often a result of being nervous and it’s something to be conscious of, particularly when interviewing over a video call, as you can sometimes be dealing with poor internet connection which can make it worse. Remind yourself to slow down the conversation where appropriate, take some deep breaths and allow yourself the time so you can give clear and concise answers.

It’s also 100% ok to seek clarification on a question if you didn’t hear them properly or you didn’t fully understand e.g. “Excuse me, it just cut out for a second there, please could you repeat the question for me?”

So, there you have it. You’re now on your way to making a great first impression and nailing that interview via video call.

For other interview and job-hunting tips, please get in touch for a confidential chat, kahli@iknowho.com.au

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