Almost everything you would like to know about preparing for video interviews.

Of course, I agree that the most important part of any interview is the substantive context: the questions and answers regarding the fit of competencies, qualifications for the position, and the company’s organizational culture to which we have submitted our application. However, there are aspects of online interviews that affect how well you can present your potential. Unlike face-to-face interviews, technical aspects in video interviews can influence their course and the assessment of you as a candidate.

What can you do to present yourself in a way that allows you to progress to the next stage? Here are a few tips for you:

TIME PLAYS A ROLE

  1. The assessor, especially for higher-level positions, will agree with you on the date and time of the meeting. Suggest several possible dates along with the times: the interviewer likely has a busy schedule and will also need to synchronize timing.
  2. Choose a date when you will have a clear mind and won’t be caught up in important conversations that could hinder your concentration.
  3. Pay attention to the time of day. Some of us function better intellectually in the mornings, while others do better in the afternoons or evenings. Don’t forget this, especially if you are someone for whom this aspect truly makes a significant difference.
  4. If the interview is scheduled for one hour, plan your next task with a comfortable time margin. This way, you won’t feel pressured by time at the end of the interview. First impressions, as well as how you present yourself throughout the interview, are equally important.

2. A LITTLE TECHNIQUE CAN BE DISORIENTING

  1. Since several applications are used for video communication, it would be wise to download the application (make sure to update it) and test the solution. The most commonly used applications are:
    • Google Meet
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Zoom
    • Cisco WebEx
  1. If you have installed the application, test it. Many candidates have wasted time trying to figure out why the microphone isn’t working, why the video is blurry, or why the connection is dropping due to internet speed.
  2. From my experience, the biggest difficulties often arise with audio signal transmission. Frequently, at the beginning, you can see the person but cannot hear them, or the sound is distorted. What can you do:
  1. Test your connection before the interview: first, check in the application if the audio and video buttons are active, then test the call quality with a friend.
  2. If you are using headphones, make sure to test the Bluetooth connection.
  3. Check the distance from your computer: is it suitable for capturing sound properly while maintaining an appropriate image of your silhouette?
  1. Make sure you don’t have any reminders and notifications turned on. During the conversation, they will distract you, and your mind won’t be able to fully concentrate on the discussion. Muting your phone won’t be enough if it’s synced with your computer. A flashing phone screen will also distract you, and instead of focusing on your response, you will be wondering who is calling or texting.
  2. Avoid conducting selection interviews using a phone. If you must do so, ensure you have a tripod for it, and never hold a conversation without using headphones. I have repeatedly interrupted conversations that did not meet these standards because I couldn’t hear certain words, which ultimately resulted in chaos and extended the conversations.
  3. Do not conduct selection interviews from your car. It gives the impression (and I can say that I often have a strong belief) that you are not fully concentrating on the conversation and that you do not place significant importance on the offer you are applying for. Your brain will register images and sounds from the environment, whether you want it to or not. It will process them even without your conscious awareness. All of this will lower your level of concentration. I often see people who frequently have a wandering gaze or are distracted by something moving outside the car.

SPACE

  1. Pay attention to the lighting. Soft light should come from the side or front so that the interviewer can clearly see and focus on your face.
  2. Also, consider the distance between you and the camera. You shouldn’t be too far away or too close; your silhouette/face should occupy a significant portion of the monitor.
  3. Ensure that the background and the space around you are tidy.
  4. If you have to choose a generated background available in the application you’re using (for example, because you spilled soup on the wall), try to select a neutral background or one that somehow reflects your personality.

2. ATTIRE

  1. Personally, I don’t pay much attention to what someone is wearing for an online interview, just like in face-to-face interviews. I know that some people try to impress interviewers less with substance and more with their image. Working with technology companies and others, I see individuals who disregard previously established conventions; what matters are the competencies. However, remember that in some institutions, interviewers may pay attention to this.
  2. Finance, banking, insurance, and related industries still adhere to old-fashioned habits, so it’s worth checking the materials on their websites to determine the applicable dress code.
  3. If you don’t have to worry about a tie or, for women, a navy suit and white blouse, keep in mind that fit and color coordination of clothing elements can play a significant role in creating an impression.

STARTING THE INTERVIEW

  1. I always begin the interview by creating a positive atmosphere, so be prepared for that. The assessor gathers information about you from the very start of the conversation, including your ability to build rapport—especially if you are applying for a position that requires social interactions in various forms, such as online or phone communication.
  2. It is standard practice for our consultants to start with candidate questions directed at the interviewer: What would you like to know about the position? What information was missing from the provided description or other documentation? What important information could I share with you? Prepare a list of questions you would like answers to before the meeting. If you don’t have any, there are a few possible reasons for this: A. You really do know everything about the position and the company because you did your homework. This will certainly come out during the conversation. B. You have difficulties with communication, particularly at the beginning of the interaction. C. You are not prepared for the conversation in a professional manner.
  3. Important: do not ask trivial questions for which you could have found answers in the materials provided to you or on the company’s website. In the same project for a position, for example, as an export director, I had candidates who didn’t need to ask questions. They knew everything about the company, including available analyses of last year’s budget results, and could interpret them, as well as the product development history, etc. But there were also candidates who asked about things that were prominently displayed on the company’s website.

2. COMMUNICATION DURING THE INTERVIEW

Video conversations have several advantages, but from my experience, they mainly pertain to organizational, geographical, or time-related aspects. Additionally, as participants in studies on this topic have highlighted, participants feel significantly less stress when they can engage in this type of communication. Here’s what I think you should pay attention to during the conversation:

  1. Online interviews unfortunately flatten reality. This means you have fewer opportunities for expressively conveying your position or answering questions in a way that signals your engagement. Keeping this in mind, try to increase the dynamism of your speech (voice, intonation), while also maintaining an appropriate pace: the assessor takes notes during the interview.
  2. Assume that in non-verbal communication, you will also need to use a broader range of gestures, facial expressions, and movements—allow your arms to be visible as well. If you’ve participated in online training, you’ve certainly noticed how difficult it is for presenters to capture and maintain attention. This flattening effect of online communication unfortunately operates in this way.
  3. Always try to look into the camera on your computer. This is especially important if you have a separate monitor and your gaze is directed at it. The assessor may feel that you are not focused on the subject of the conversation.
  4. If you don’t feel completely comfortable in job interviews, selection interviews, or competency interviews, don’t hesitate to take advantage of practice interviews offered by recruitment firms. You will receive feedback that will certainly increase your chances in the selection process.

3. AFTER THE INTERVIEW

  1. In psychology, we talk about the stair-step effect: after the conversation ends, you hit yourself on the forehead and think— I forgot to ask about … I didn’t mention my experience with …, etc. Of course, you can write an email to the interviewer to supplement this information.
  2. Particularly for higher-level positions, it’s good form to send a follow-up email—preferably the next day—sharing your thoughts, such as what aspects of the job offer pose difficulties, uncertainties, or issues for you. On the other hand, perhaps you’ve also confirmed that this is a proposal you evaluate more favorably than before the interview (share that opinion). The conversation with an experienced headhunter or assessor surely provided you with many additional insights.
  3. If based on the conversation you concluded that it is worth updating your CV, do so and resend it, informing the recipient in the email about the changes. This often happens because based on the questions, participants sometimes realize that they didn’t focus on important experiences that are related to the competencies being assessed.

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