How to be prepared for the new era of video interviews

Not so very long ago the only way to have a face-to-face conversation with a potential employer was to physically go to the office and speak with a hiring manager. In the last couple of years, advancements in technology and bandwidth speed are making it easy to conduct virtual job interviews. More and more employers are taking advantage of this opportunity to make the interview process not just easier but also more convenient for all parties involved.

As more employers embrace video and web-based technologies to conduct screening interviews with prospective job candidates, it becomes increasingly important for you to be prepared as you begin your job search. The more you know how to make the technology work for you, the more of an advantage you'll have. Here are some tips:

Your Skype Name
The most common platform to conduct a video interview on is Skype as many people have access to this and it's easy to download and use. It's important to consider what Skype name you have selected. Think about the impression your Skype name will create. Will you come across as professional? You may get off on the wrong foot from the outset if your Skype name is jokey or overly informal.

Minimize your hand movement
Hand gestures are great for live presentations but not so much in interviews. This is even more important when it comes to video interviews. Ensure you keep your hand movements to a minimum as not to distract the interviewer from what you are saying.

Control the background
Often the settings you choose for online video interviews are packed with distractions, and if there's something even slightly embarrassing or scandalous to find, someone will find it. While you think you're showcasing your personality, really you're introducing new distractions to the interview. The best option for a background is a clean, uncluttered, well-lit, neutral backdrop like a wall, screen, or panel of curtains.

Dress for success
Just because you are not meeting your interviewer in person doesn't mean that you can pay less attention to how you dress. The preparation in the dress department is slightly different in a video interview than in real life. Brighter colors look better on video. Avoid wearing stripes, paisley, and the like, as the detail can come across as fuzzy and distracting on video. Another color to avoid is white as it can give off a kind of glare effect. 

If you need some expert advice and assistance with your job search, contact us. Communicate Recruitment is a recruitment agency with consultants specializing in placing candidates in the Finance, IT, Engineering, Supply Chain and Freight industries with some of the top employers in the country. Check out our vacancy page and apply now!