Over the last few months, we have, unsurprisingly, seen a sharp rise in our clients taking full advantage of our Concept Live Interview platform, and it has been a learning curve for us all to get the most out of this for both clients and candidates. For obvious reasons video interviewing, live or recorded, has cemented itself as part of standard recruitment processes for many businesses across the globe. As such, we thought that it could be useful to put together a short list of best practice for those preparing to take part in a video interview scenario.
Organise your zone
Make sure you are in a quiet, well-lit area of your home and that you will be free from interruption for the duration of your interview. Phones should still be on silent! Give your area the once over, clients can be forgiving about many things in these circumstances, but you may be eternally grateful that your potential future employer hasn’t managed to clock your underwear drying on the radiator behind you!
Check your Wi-Fi connection
There is nothing worse than to be casually chatting away and then suddenly realise that your interviewer has spent 30 long seconds staring at something resembling a painting by Edvard Munch and hasn’t heard a word you’ve said. Do a dummy run with a pal first if you have to, such a small thing can really make all the difference.
Test your tech
It is pretty essential that you can be both seen AND heard when taking part in a video interview so again… do a dummy run! Make sure your web cam is pointing at you from an angle even an Instagram influencer would be proud of (no one wants to hire a set of nostrils!) and that your audio is working. We have many talented clients, but lip reading may not be on everyone’s list of hidden talents. Little factors again that can ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible for all parties.
Be engaged
Make eye contact with your interviewer, and when listening nod and smile as you would normally to demonstrate that you’re giving your interviewee your full attention. Body language is a huge part of the recruitment process so please be reactive, don’t zone out like you are part way through your favourite Netflix series.
Be prepared
In any other ‘normal’ interview scenario you would always have a pen and paper with you to take notes. Do the same when conducting a video interview, make some notes in advance that you can refer to if you find this could be useful! Having an up to date version of your CV next to you as a point of reference could also be helpful, it’s crazy what can escape your memory in an interview scenario.
I think above all, it’s important to remember that a video interview is just that – an interview! As such, it should be treated with the same level of thought and careful preparation as you would a face-to-face interview. Remember that both parties are being evaluated not only on what they say but also how they come across non-verbally, through their body language and actions both during and surrounding the interview – it’s just that the way this plays out is slightly different. Keep that in mind, and you should be golden.
