How to ace a video interview

If you’ve been applying to jobs for some time, finally making it to an interview can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. “What will they ask? How should I answer? What if I say something wrong?” These are the questions that may start running through your head, making an even well-prepared candidate feel nervous. This anxiety can be compounded when that interview is being conducted on camera. As technology and access to the internet continue to grow, many employers are taking their interviews online. In international development, where candidates and interviewers can be dispersed around the globe, video interviewing is a cost-effective and practical tool. Some recruiters will use services such as Skype or Google Hangout to conduct an online video interview, but many are taking it a step further and using platforms such as HireVue, which allows for recorded, one-way interviews. Your potential employers can send a link to complete the interview at your convenience — then you answer a set of predetermined questions while your responses are recorded. Recruiters and hiring managers can watch your interview when it’s convenient for them and schedule more traditional, two-way interviews with the finalists. While this technology can be convenient for both recruiter and candidate — no more having to schedule interviews at odd times to accommodate different time zones — it can also be intimidating to those who’ve never interviewed in this way. As this technology becomes more prevalent, professionals on the job hunt may find themselves preparing for an online interview more often than not. Here are five tips to ace a video interview. 1. Dress like you would for an in-person interview You might feel a bit funny getting dressed up in a suit to do an interview from the comfort of your home, but if you’re doubting what you should wear, default to what you would do if it were an in-person interview. You want to appear professional and polished — and demonstrate that you are taking the interview seriously, even if you didn’t have to make a trip to their office. Wearing professional clothing can also help you get in an interview mindset and build your confidence. Pro tip: While it’s true the webcam will only show what you are wearing from the waist up, resist the urge to wear pajama bottoms, just in case you have to stand up at any point during the interview. 2. Be aware of the background Make sure to give some thought to the background of your interview. For example, a cluttered messy bedroom or living room may communicate to a recruiter or hiring manager that you lack organizational skills. Find a neat area with minimal distractions behind you so the recruiter can focus on you and not your surroundings. 3. Minimize background noise Choose a quiet location to minimize background noise that could make it hard for an interviewer to hear you. If you have children, make arrangements for someone to keep an eye on them so they don’t barge in while you’re in the middle of a thought and ask your spouse to refrain from performing a noisy chore, such as vacuuming, while you’re on camera. If you need to conduct the interview in a public place, make sure it’s a quiet one, such as a library. Some noises are inevitable, but keeping them to a minimum will demonstrate that you are taking the interview seriously and allow you to put all of your focus on the interview. 4. Practice Many video interviewing platforms allow you to perform a test before getting started, but if this is your first time interviewing online, it’s wise to do a practice run with a friend. Check to make sure the equipment works and see what the background looks like on camera. Small items that can easily be overlooked in person can appear amplified when confined to a small screen. Perhaps one of the most awkward aspects of video interviewing, particularly if it is one way, is knowing where to look. Practice talking into the camera as you give your answers, avoiding shifting your eyes or looking around, which can make you appear more nervous and less confident on video. Also, be sure to smile. It can be easy to forget If you aren’t speaking directly with a person, which may make you come across as less warm and affable than you really are. 5. Keep your answers concise Another challenging aspect of a video interview is knowing when to stop. Without the social cues you often have in an in-person interview, it’s easy to ramble. Try to keep your answers brief and concise. If you’re doing a one-way interview, choose a time when you will be at your best and most clear-headed. 6. Be yourself Recruiters are not looking for perfection when evaluating video interviews. Particularly if they’ve ever completed one themselves, evaluators understand you may have a few jitters or a couple of awkward moments while you acquaint yourself with the medium. What they are looking for is getting to know you as a person beyond your accomplishments on your CV. Take a deep breath, relax, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you make a small flub. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.