10 tips for a successful video job interview

Need advice on how to ace your job interview? Contact laura@alphea-conseil.fr

Video job interviews, once marginalized, are increasingly being used by recruiters.

So, are you more comfortable in front of a computer or face-to-face?

Being on video may seem simpler: less stress about finding your outfit or traffic delays. But beware of overconfidence: an online recruitment interview takes preparation, and there are a few rules to follow.

Follow our advice and everything will go smoothly!

Stress your look and presentation

As with a physical interview, presentation is everything. You shouldn't underestimate this type of remote meeting. Just because you're at home doesn't mean you should neglect your looks.

Avoid staying in your pajamas, pull out your best shirt or favorite blouse. Don't forget to iron your clothes. Opt for an outfit suitable for a recruitment interview.

You only have a few minutes to convince, so put all the chances on your side and stay professional. A poor presentation can be seen as a casual attitude.

Test your equipment before the interview

It would be a shame to miss your maintenance due to technique. Test your equipment before your interview.

Check:

• your computer battery,
• your connection,
• your camera,
• sound.

For remote interviews, there are many software programs, Skype, Zoom, meet Google, etc. Do you master the tool proposed by the recruiter? Train yourself with someone you know and put yourself in a real-life situation. This will help you avoid connection errors.

In case of problems,keep your cool and make a note of your contact's phone and email so you can call them back. This positive attitude shows your responsiveness to a crisis situation.

Pay attention to the background

Be careful about the room you're interviewing in. Avoid standing in a messy room, or a child's bedroom with posters. It gives off a less-than-serious image. Opt for a neutral and not too intimate decor, a white background for example. Also pay attention to exposure, don't stand with your back to the light, your face might be too dark.

Make sure you're not disturbed

All recruiters will tell you, sound and quiet are essential for conducting a remote interview in good conditions. Ideally, you should be alone at home or in a room, so you can stay focused on your interviewer. Avoid being disturbed as much as possible by the people around you, by the cat passing in front of the screen, or the dog barking incessantly. Also remember to switch off your phone.

Prepare for your interview

A remote interview can be an advantage for preparing for your interview.

The recruiter can't see your screen, so you can make a synthetic presentation, and place useful information on your computer (job description, CV, etc.).

Learn about the company, anticipate your interviewer's questions or write down the questions you want to ask. This way, you'll be able to be more precise in your arguments.

Be on time or slightly early

Log in a little early. This will allow you to test the equipment one last time and check that you have the right credentials.Be careful, however, to mute your microphone and keep a professional attitude while you wait for your caller to connect. You wouldn't want the first image he'll have of you to be a swearword or a look of annoyance because you didn't notice he'd just logged in!

Watch out for your look

When you're speaking, remember to secure your camera. The aim is to avoid looking away. The recruiter might think you're not paying attention.

Take advantage of the situation to share content

A video interview allows you to be more forceful in what you say, and to provide evidence of your skills. Don't hesitate to show your interviewer documents or quantified results by sharing your screen.

End the video interview by simply thanking your interviewer

At the end of your interview, you can simply thank the recruiter for this exchange. Also ask about the next steps in the recruitment process.

After your interview, don't hesitate to give the recruiter some feedback