Guest post by Susanna H. - As modern technology gets better by the day, more and more companies are turning to video conferencing by Lifesize to carry out initial interviews with prospective candidates. Video interviewing is similar to a face-to-face interview and it is an ideal way to find the right people for the job. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your first video interview to land that dream job. These tips are based upon a video interview I once did for a company based in New Zealand. I wanted to be as far away from Europe as possible to I choose to want to do my internship in New Zealand. I got the internship and have spent eight months in this beautiful country. I hope that the below tips help you in getting the job/internship that you like!
Prepare yourself ahead of time
It is really important to prepare yourself ahead of time and to send relevant documents to the person who will be interviewing you since you are not meeting your employer face to face. Two days before is the best time to send all the relevant papers. This way, your interviewer has got enough time to go over these documents beforehand.
Check the technical equipment and test the sound
The last thing you want is to have technical difficulties when you’re being interviewed so it is important to make sure the microphone, webcam and sound settings are all in working order, and reduce or increase the volume accordingly. I did a sound test with a friend as well just to be sure. During this sound test my friend and I decided to do a role play and he noticed I speak quite fast. If you do that as well, then it is important to remember to speak slowly as there may be an online delay.
Dress appropriately
The interview took place at my house and when I got out of bed I just put on my normal clothes because I was at home. Luckily, I remembered to change as the interviewer will see what you are wearing. It’s important to dress in a professional manner the same way as if attending a formal face – to – face interview.
Look directly at the camera
Even though it may be daunting, it is important to treat the camera as if it were the employer. Look directly at it when speaking and focus your attention when the interviewer is asking questions. This will give the impression that you are confident which can be used t your advantage. Don’t look away from the camera as this may give the interviewer the impression that you are disinterested.
Write down a list of questions for the interviewer
At the end of the interview, it is good to ask the interviewer a couple of relevant questions to show you are keen about the job. No doubt you will be given the option of asking questions during or at the end of the session anyway. So be sure to have a list ready. If you are unsure of the type of questions you’d like to ask them, have a look at the one’s I’ve used:
- What is the company’s management style?
- What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
- When can I expect to hear from you?
I hope these tips have given you the knowledge and confidence to complete a successful video interview.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t see myself getting any video interview in the near future but its better to be prepared I think. I think it has the same level with the nerve wracking experience of the usual one on one interview.
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Great advice! At first, its really hard to make it perfect because you must create a trial error stage.
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Thanks for this sharing. These tips are very important for cracking the interview. It is important to make sure the microphone, webcam and sound settings are all in working order, and reduce or increase the volume accordingly.
What a great post you have shared us here.. Actually, this can be very helpful especially to the bloggers who use video for the interviews..
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Is there anyone who can teach me on how to create questionnaires?
Mika Castro invites you to read..better relationship
Yes, your tips are really useful for preparation of video interview and improve self confidence. “First impression is last impression” so it’s better to make all thing perfectly before giving interview. Another important thing is to check all computer system, web camera and sound system because if candidate has good skill but any technically problem occurs then there are chances to loss the opportunity.
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Twitter: Elena__Anne
June 8, 2012 at 9:48 pm
It is definitely important not to let your first impression be the last impression. Thank you for sharing your advice on how to make the most of a video interview. While a video interview is much better than a phone interview, there are still gestures and tone of voice that can get lost in translation.
Twitter: akiajohnson
June 18, 2012 at 1:22 am
Hello friend great post.I am preparing for video interview.I have seen there are many problem occur during video interview. But video interview idea is best which saves time and money. There are many companies now a days which held video conferencing. I will take care all point that you have mention above. resume is also important part for video interview. I have never face video interview before this.
keep posting more on video interview.so we will get help from you.
I work at home and most of my clients are online. I really did not thought that dressing properly is important but this article made me realize that! Thanks for the article!
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