Interviewing by Video Conference

With last year’s pandemic and the workforce still commonly remote, there is a chance you’ll do some interviews via video conferencing solution like Zoom or GotoMeeting.  Interviews tend to be somewhat stressful for job seekers and the idea of doing one virtually may have you even more worried. 

At BrightHire, we’re well versed in virtual interviews and have the following tips for you to help you prepare.

Make sure you have a good webcam

If your laptop or desktop is relatively new, the quality of your camera shouldn’t be an issue. If you’ve noticed on video conferences that the image that appears onscreen is not clear and crisp, then you should invest in a better webcam. The quality of the picture makes a big difference for the person on the other side of the screen. If they can see you clearly, they’re more likely to feel like they can connect with you. And if you get the job, the nominal cost will be worth every penny.

Wear something that makes you feel confident

Even though you’re taking the interview remotely, you should still dress like you were attending the interview in person. Wear something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself. You’ll want to be sure that what you choose to wear shows your professionalism and competence.

Get the camera angle right

You should be positioned in the middle of the screen, so you will want to ensure that your camera is positioned properly. Prop your laptop on a stack of books or a stand so that what you look into the camera, it is at eye level.  This will put you eye to eye with the interviewer to ensure you are not looking down on them. This way you'll be able to make eye contact that is as natural as in person.

Use good lighting

Most webcams don’t pick up great images without the right lighting. Natural lighting typically gives great results, so if you can do your interview in front of a window, that’s the best. If you can’t, you’ll need to provide lighting with a lamp or one of those selfie lights. Choose a soft light and place it in front of you at a 45-degree angle to light your whole face without glare in your eyes.

Consider sound quality

Most built-in microphones aren’t that great. And if you’re at home with kids or dogs, there’s a risk of other sounds being picked up by your computer mic. A very simple headset gives the listener only the sound of your voice, loud and clear without the other sounds of your environment.

Look at the camera

When on video conferences, it is easy to get distracted by your own image on the screen.  For the sake of interviewing, you’ll want to maintain focus and eye contact on the interviewer the entire time.  That means looking right at the camera, which some people find difficult.  If that feels uncomfortable to you, you can try putting a cute photo of something you like right near the camera. That way, if you look away, it’s only nearby and it is something that makes browsing the web or doing something else on your computer.

Unsure if you’ve got it right? Ask a friend or relative to get on a videoconference with you to practice.

Smile!!!

Building rapport can be more challenging over video conferences.  And, certainly reading body language is impaired.  To combat this, you’ll want to be sure to give clear positive signals by wany of a smile.  That said, you don’t want a cheesy grin the entire meeting because that might seem disingenuous, but you do want to make sure that every once in a while, you smile a genuine smile.

Check your Wi-Fi signal

A poor signal can completely derail your interview, interrupt the flow, and leave you feeling flustered. Test the quality of your Wi-Fi connection frequently in the days leading up to your interview and troubleshoot any problems that arise.

So there you have it; 10 ways to improve your video interview performance. If you focus on giving your interviewer a good experience, you'll be able to better connect with them and improve your chances of getting the job!

When you work with BrightHire to find your next career move, we will give you tips like these and more to help you put your best foot forward in the interview process.  Submit your resume today!