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How to Prepare for Video Interviews

How to Prepare for Video Interviews

  • Technology
    • Once you know the platform the employer will use for the interview, explore it to become familiar with basic functionality.
    • Ahead of time, test your equipment.
    • Ask the employer for a back-up phone number in case the video call fails.
    • During the interview, have nearby
      • your phone (silenced)
      • an extra set of earbuds or headset
         
  • Wardrobe
    • Dress formally, top to bottom.
    • Formal dress will help you maintain a formal interview mindset.
    • Even if your interviewers are casually dressed, do not treat the interview casually.
       
  • Background
    • Keep the background clean and simple.
    • A blank wall is fine.
    • Eliminate human, animal, or décor distractions.
    • Blurring the background is an option on some platforms.
    • If you use a virtual background, keep it professional.
    • Consider using a YLS virtual background.
       
  • Lighting
    • Place a light in front of you/behind the camera.
    • Eliminate lights behind you or directly above you.
       
  • Sound
    • Use earbuds or headphones to minimize any echo or interference from multiple speakers.
    • Silence other sources of sound in the room, including your phone.
    • Ensure your microphone can pick up your voice clearly.
       
  • Camera
    • Position the camera so that you are looking slightly up at it, or straight at it.
    • Your head and shoulders should be visible.
    • Just as in live conversation, it is fine to look down or away sometimes but try to maintain eye contact with the face(s) on your screen to the extent possible.
       
  • Rehearse using the technology
    • Practice will improve your performance.
    • Record yourself having a video conversation with someone.
      • Ask your conversation partner how you look and sound.
      • Play back the recording to see what you could change or improve.
         
  • Referring to notes on your computer
    • During a video interview, some candidates may want to refer to notes.
    • This is not advised. Reading and looking away from the camera will impede the natural conversational flow.
    • If you choose to do this, you must practice.
      • Experiment with displaying notes on your screen and making the video screen smaller.
      • You may need to adjust your lighting due to different reflected color from the notes page.
         
  • Roll with it!
    • If something happens (your cat wanders in, your screen freezes), no need to panic – just apologize and keep going. You always have a phone number to call if the video call fails.