{"id":15028,"date":"2022-08-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/identifi-global.eu.applyflow.com\/how-to-prepare-for-a-video-interview\/"},"modified":"2022-12-09T06:14:46","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T06:14:46","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-a-video-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.identifiglobal.com\/news\/how-to-prepare-for-a-video-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prepare for a video interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\tFacebook Live. TikTok. YouTube. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\tVideo is exploding across social media – with Facebook videos being viewed 8 billion times and YouTube receiving over 30 million visitors<\/span> every day<\/em>. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tSo, perhaps it comes as no surprise that video is making its way across to recruitment, too. A Sparkfire survey revealed that 63% of HR managers currently or have recently used video interviewing as part of the hiring process. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tSo what do you, as a candidate, need to know if you\u2019re invited for either a live or pre-recorded video interview? <\/p>\n

\n\t\tHere – with some valuable tips from video expert Jo Haywood from Skylark Media – are the dos and don\u2019ts of video interviews.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tLive interviews<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tAs we all know from live sporting events and news streams, there\u2019s always plenty that can go wrong when filming live. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\tSo, if you\u2019re invited for a live job interview – be it on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or something else – preparation is key. As well as the following <\/span>dos <\/strong>and don\u2019ts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tLet\u2019s start with the more technological dos and don\u2019ts, and then we\u2019ll cover our behavioral dos and don\u2019ts. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tTechnological dos and don\u2019ts <\/h3>\n

\n\t\tDo<\/strong> –<\/span> Test your equipment, internet connection, and audio\/video quality before starting. You might be the best candidate they\u2019re interviewing – but if they can\u2019t see or hear you, they\u2019ll never know. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tDon\u2019t <\/span><\/strong>– Connect before you\u2019ve checked your surroundings. A bedroom filled with dirty laundry, an office with confidential documents scattered over the desk or a cafe with someone watching funny YouTube videos in the background won\u2019t give the right impression. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tDo <\/span><\/strong>– Find a well-lit and quiet spot where you can hear clearly and talk freely. This doesn’t necessarily need to be at home. <\/p>\n

\n\t\t“You could find a quiet spot in a museum, or in the computer room at the public library,\u201d advises Jo. “Choose somewhere that makes sense in the context of your interview and explain why you’re there straight away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\n\t\tDon\u2019t <\/span><\/strong>– Use your mobile. It can lead to shaky camera work and impact your confidence and concentration, too. <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\u201cPeople talk a lot with their hands,\u201d says Jo. \u201cIt can feel quite artificial if one of those hands is holding a mobile phone. In addition, concentrating on too much at once will likely cause you to lose focus.\u201d <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t“Concentrating on too much at once will likely cause you to lose focus.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n\t\tIf you do need to use a mobile, use it horizontally to match the computer screen of the interviewer on the other end. Placing it on a tripod will avoid giving your interviewer motion sickness. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tDon’t <\/span><\/strong>– Leave distractions on your laptop. Turn off email notifications and close social media pages, as pop-ups will likely throw you off. Not to mention, give off a bad impression and appear unprofessional if your interviewer can hear the sounds of your notifications coming through. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tBehavioural dos and don\u2019ts <\/h3>\n

\n\t\tDo <\/span><\/strong>– Use prompts where necessary. But do this sensibly. Post-It notes behind your screen or a document right under your webcam lens will work, but constantly looking down at written notes will give the impression that you’re unprepared. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t“Constantly looking down at written notes will give the impression that you’re unprepared.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n\t\tDon’t <\/span><\/strong>– Over-practise. “You want to sound spontaneous and interesting,\u201d Jo points out. “A memorised script will sound far too artificial.”<\/p>\n

\n\t\tDo <\/span><\/strong>– Be mindful of your body language. It can be easy to forget where you are: save the slouching, folded arms and nose-picking until the interview is over. Instead, push your shoulders back, sit straight, and smile – but not in a forced, serial-killer way. You get the gist. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tDon’t <\/span><\/strong>– Forget that first impressions count. In an interview, you have just seven seconds before the interviewer makes their initial judgment – use them wisely. With first impressions in mind, perhaps update your Skype or Zoom handle if your current handle is a little less than professional. <\/p>\n

\n\t\tDo <\/span><\/strong>– Wear trousers. In fact, wear something smart. Jo highlights the perils of slogan t-shirts, in particular. \u201cThese are often favoured by many of the IT workers I\u2019ve worked with,\u201d she notes. \u201cBut they can distract the interviewer from what you\u2019re saying\u201d. <\/p>\n