Video Interviewing Tips

Our team is often asked for virtual interviewing tips. Here’s a summary of top suggestions.

PRESENCE

• Refer to interviewers by name. There’s no need to overdo this, but you should try to say an interviewer’s name as you respond to their question or when you address a question to them.

  • Example: “Jessie, if I understand correctly, you’d like me to share an instance where I experienced a conflict with a colleague…”

• Repeat the question back. In order to set yourself up for providing a clear, concise answer, paraphrase the question you’ve been asked as you start your answer.

  • Example: “Sure, here’s an example of when I had to make a quick decision…”

• Use strong speech. Do you say “I think” or “I believe” when you start an answer? Remove those phrases from your answers to come across stronger. You know you can do and have done these things!

  • Example: “I believe my background is a good fit for this role because…” versus “My background is a good fit for this role because…” Do you see the difference?

LOGISTICS

• Technical issues. Use headphones as these tend to make you sound clearer. If you or they can’t hear you or see you and it can’t be resolved within a few minutes, offer to reconnect with them on a different platform or reschedule. This shows that you are respectful of their time. Offering other solutions (e.g., Google Meets, WebEx, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime) shows you are proactive and resourceful – both of which are qualities any employer wants to see in a candidate.

• Sitting versus standing. Does sitting or standing while interviewing make a difference? While I personally feel like I can engage with an audience on video better when standing, I wouldn’t do this in an interview. Most of us fidget or hold something as we talk and don’t even realize what we are doing. This could be seen on camera.

• Background. Test your camera angle a day or more before the interview to make sure there’s nothing distracting in the background such as a spinning ceiling fan, bright lamp, or something you don’t want the interviewers to see behind you. Light should come from lamps on your side or below you.

 For more on how to set yourself up for a successful video interview, check out this Take 15 Career Q&A video.