Four steps to giving the perfect video interview

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Have you had a video interview in the course of your job-hunting yet?

In a time-pressed world, more and more employers are realising that they can get a great grasp of a candidate by conducting a quick Skype interview - or seeing a short clip of them answering questions about how they solved a problem, or made a difference in a previous role.

Although this form of early stage interview is a quick, easy and flexible way for businesses to weed out people they don’t believe is right for the job, there are benefits for you as a candidate too.

Just a few minutes on a video interview can quickly impress a potential boss with personality, experience and skills. If your CV isn’t as full as you’d like because you’re just starting out, it’s an invaluable chance to get noticed when you might never have before.

We’re using video interviewing to great effect at HR GO, and do all we can to show candidates how they can present themselves in the best possible light.

So if you’re new to video interviewing, take a look at these important new skills to brush up on if you want to ace on screen and break through to the face-to-face interview stage.   

1: Present yourself as a professional

You might be used to talking on Skype or Facetime with your friends and family, but a video interview isn’t quite the same. If you know your interview will be carried out on Skype, check your Skype name is something professional – ideally your name – and not a potentially embarrassing joke name you thought up years ago.

The rules of the face-to-face interview count here too, so dress the part in a smart work outfit and make sure you’re properly groomed. Video is a visual medium and your potential employer will take cues about your professional performance from your appearance. 

2: Charm the camera

It’s tricky projecting positivity to someone who isn’t there. You need to practice looking into the camera and smiling, giving the lens ‘eye contact’ as then you will be looking directly out of the viewer’s screen, and treating it as though it were a real person. Don’t stare into it unblinkingly like a rabbit in headlights. 

3: Film yourself

Most phones, tablets, laptops and PCs have a video recording facility so you can watch yourself back and learn from your mistakes before the interview. You’ll also be able to see if you have distracting habits you need to stamp out like wringing your hands or fiddling with your hair. Can’t film yourself? Ask someone to watch you answering interview questions and point anything negative out. 

4: Build confidence with practice questions

You can quickly become more confident by learning great answers to a few tough questions that regularly crop up at interview. Nearly all interviewers want examples of when you solved a problem, succeeded at something, overcame a hurdle, dealt with a difficult person, reacted to criticism or made a mistake – and how you learned from these situations. The trick is to sound confident but not over-rehearsed, though. 

Plus, because you’re bound to be asked if there’s anything you want to know, it’s best to have some killer interview questions up your sleeve too. 

Perfect vision

At HR GO, we recognise the power of video interviewing – not just for potential employers but for you as a candidate. Even if it seems daunting at first, it’s worth practising and persevering.

After all, perhaps a small snippet of screen time could be the key to landing an ideal role that transforms your future career…