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 Ask the Expert - How to prepare for a video interview

 

 

Over the past 18 months, we’ve done almost all of our communication on Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meets. But no matter how many online meetings we’ve been to, the idea of interviewing on video can be nerve wracking. Right now, companies are enjoying the benefits of video interviews such as saving time. As a result, the majority of these companies intend to continue using this format, at least for first-stage interviews. With this in mind, it’s time for us to get used to doing video interviews. 

Online interviews have been around for a while now, however, many of us are still finding our way around interviewing effectively on camera. Here are my top tips on preparing for your video interview.
 

It’s all about the technology

Details of the platform your potential employer will be using for your interview should be in your calendar invite or confirmation email. Don’t assume it’s going to be on zoom, check ahead of time to make sure you know what video app you’ll be using and that you’ve downloaded it and registered for an account (if you need to). If you’re not familiar with the video app, I would urge you to have a video call with a friend to make sure the webcam and microphone are working. 

 

Backgrounds are everything

Once this is sorted, figure out where you are going to take the call. What will the interviewer see behind you? The best background would be something neutral - a wall, a fireplace, bookshelf or even the back of a door. If you have to use your bedroom, try setting up your computer or laptop where your bed or pile of clothes aren’t on show.

Next is lighting. Be careful of setting up next to, or in front of a window. The light pouring through will make you appear as a silhouette or as if you’re glowing. This is best avoided.

Noisy flatmates? Put a note on your door so others know not to disturb you.

 

Dress for success

What you wear can affect your mood, particularly if you’re spending the majority of the week still working from home. It’s important to have a distinction between work and leisure time, and wearing interview-appropriate clothing is still important.

Although it may be tempting to dress smartly on your top half and relaxed on your bottom half, you never know what is going to happen - the doorbell may go, your child or dog may decide to come in, or the house phone may ring. You can avoid the majority of distractions but you can’t eliminate all of them. Because of this, make sure you wear the same clothes you would in an actual interview, even your bottom half! The last thing you want is to have to get up off your chair during an interview because a delivery’s arrived and you’re wearing shorts.

 

Interview questions 

Just like you would do for a face-to-face interview, re-read the job specification and prepare your notes ahead of time.
 

  • Is there anything on the job description that you need clarifying or you would like to talk about? 
  • Prepare a list of your achievements from your most recent roles that best reflect what is on the job specification. Are there any examples of where you have gone above and beyond?
  • What do you want to get out of the interview and what questions do you want to ask? 
  • Do your research on the company and any work they’ve done recently. It sounds obvious, but this can be a serious stumbling block for anyone no matter their seniority.

 

You may get a question where you may need a little more time to think. My tip for this is to have a glass of water with you. When you need an extra few seconds to think, you can take a few sips of water and this will seem natural rather than awkward.

If you are caught in a situation where you have to answer the front door, don’t panic. This is part and parcel of working from home. If there’s no one else to take the door, let the interviewers know, answer it as swiftly as possible and apologise for the interruption. Don’t get hung up on it. I know it’s easy to do when you’re in an important interview, but we’ve all experienced it at one time or other over the past few months and it’s only going to continue.

 

Have you got a question for our expert? If you need advice on hiring, the job market or how things are going in the property industry, send in your question!

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