Tricks to prep your video interview

When it comes to a job interview, nothing beats a live, face-to-face session. As hiring becomes more global and as more employees work remotely, video conferencing is becoming a good way of expediting the interview process. Video interviews could soon be commonplace.

Video interviewing has its advantages. The hiring managers can conduct first-round interviews quickly, save on transport costs, and get the process started much faster using video conferencing than they can by in-person interviews.

For the job seeker, though, it can be a little daunting. It’s hard enough to interview face-to-face, let alone in front of a camera and microphone. It can seem like a scary situation, even for those who use technology daily.

TENDENCY TO FAIL

Interviewing over Skype or a similar service isn’t all that different from interviewing in person, but there are some things you need to keep in mind.

Technology has a tendency to fail when most needed. You should not be trying to fix the video and audio equipment during the interview time, or too close to start time. That could easily throw you off your mental track and mar your interview.

Obviously, video interviews run through Internet-based platforms. Two common and free platforms to use are Google Hangout and Skype.

There are hundreds of other video platforms that you could use, such as Cisco WebEx and GoToMeeting. Set aside some time before your interview to make sure you have the right tech downloaded and are ready to roll.

REQUIRE TIME

Most video-chat systems require time to download either an application or a plugin. Do a quick search of the technology that your video interview is using, and see what you need to prepare.

During the interview, the camera is your “eye contact” with the interviewer(s). Look directly at the camera, not at your computer screen, when you are answering a question. Try to mentally imagine the interviewer is behind the camera lens.

Be aware of the transmission delay (about a half second). Pause for the interviewer to comment. Be yourself. You should speak naturally, and think of the interviewer(s) as sitting across the table from you.
Keep the microphone muted if no one is speaking. Try not to shuffle papers, drum fingers, or make unnecessary noise distractions near the microphone as any of these may cause the camera to shift to the site of the noise.

NATURAL LIGHTING

Use the Picture-in-Picture feature so you can see how you appear, if your camera has that feature. Prop your laptop up so that you are looking at the camera at eye level, instead of down.

Use a few textbooks, a pile of magazines, or even a rectangular tissue box to set your laptop up a few inches on your desk. It makes you look relaxed and composed, and is a more flattering angle.

Natural lighting is best, so face towards a window if you can. If you are in a darker room, or you are getting on video chat in the evening, find a lamp that you can plug in and place in front of your laptop to give you some good lighting.

Avoid too much body movement as this may create blurry or jumpy images at the receiving end. If you plan to take the interview at home, have family members and friends out of the house during the time the appointment is scheduled so you have no distractions. Same for barking dogs and raucous roosters.

Headphones are better compared to using inbuilt laptop or phone mic and speaker. They often echo.

An echo ruins a video chat and lags in connection. Also, Internet blips can easily create an echo, delay, or other sound disruption that can be lessened with headphones.

Go ace your interview... but make sure you have a strong and steady Internet connection.

The writer is an informatics specialist. [email protected]. @samwambugu2