How To Ace Your Next Video Interview

The future of work is flexible, and that means video interviews are here to stay. However, if you’ve been invited to participate in one for the first time, you may be feeling uneasy about meeting someone through a screen. The good news? A video interview is much like an in-person one!

To put your best foot forward, here are some additional things to consider before joining your video interview:

Treat all interviews equally

Dress for success

Although a video interview doesn’t require you to travel to an office location, you should be treating it as if it does—especially since it’s still technically a face-to-face meeting. Wear what you would to an in-person interview, ensuring you get dressed from head to toe. Doing this will not only make a good impression, but it will put you in a professional and confident mindset.

Come prepared

As you gear up for your interview, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your resume on-hand to reference. However, if you’re often looking away to read your resume or pre-written notes, it may seem like you didn’t do your homework or care enough to come prepared. As a result, be well-versed in your skills and do your company research ahead of time. Your interview should feel much like a natural conversation to see if you’re both a good fit for each other; after all, that is the point!

Consider what questions you may want to ask

Whether you’re attending a video interview or an in-person one, it’s important to ask questions to show that you’re interested and engaged. Not only can this give you a competitive edge, but you can learn more about the role and if it’s right for you.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:

• What are you looking for in a candidate?
• What are the biggest challenges of this job?
• How would you describe a typical day in this position?
• What are opportunities for growth and advancement?
• What professional development opportunities do you provide?

Check yourself before you wreck your chances

Test your technology

Prior to your interview, it’s important to become familiar with the technology the call will be hosted on—making sure it is accessible on the device you will be using. Once up-to-speed, we recommend launching and using the technology as you would on your call to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Test that your camera is connected and that your microphone and internet connection are working properly. On the day of the video interview, it’s best to show up a little early (if possible). Since technology can be unpredictable, this will give you time to deal with unexpected technical difficulties if they arise.

Take note of your surroundings

Finding the perfect place for your call may take some planning, so be sure to think ahead to avoid any unnecessary panic day-of.  To ensure there are no background noises or distractions, it’s ideal to pick a space where you will be the only person in the room. If this is not an option for you, try finding a private space at a library instead of choosing a public spot like a café. While cafés may provide a more comfortable environment, they can be quite distracting for reasons out of your control (music, people, background noises, etc.).

It is also a good idea to take note of what’s on the wall or in your vicinity. Try to avoid having anything in the background you don’t think your interviewer will appreciate—this includes certain photos, posters, personal belongings, and as previously mentioned, other people.

Close any unnecessary web browser tabs

Know that your surroundings may not be all that the employer is able to see. If you will be sharing your screen for any reason, your browser tabs may be visible. Be sure to keep your screen or desktop as clean as possible—closing any tabs or apps that you do not need, and hiding any files that could be a distraction.

Make sure your phone is on silent (and out of view)

It is likely your phone will be nearby as you prepare to hop on your call. Remember to double check that it is on silent, and out of view. You want to make yourself as available as possible to your interviewer, and having your phone in sight—or worse, go off—will make it seem as if you aren’t fully committed. Something as simple as this could cost you the job.

Show your appreciation, no matter what

Send a thank you

Remember that the interviewer took time out of their day to get to know you and give you a chance to show off your skills. Just like an in-person interview, it’s important to let them know you appreciate their time, even if you realized the job isn’t for you. While you’ll normally have the chance to obtain a card during an in-person interview, you can still ask the interviewer for their contact information if you do not already have it. Read also: Feeling Thankful? 6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing the Perfect Thank You Note