TOP TIPS FOR VIDEO INTERVIEWS
Denise Taylor, career psychologist and author shares her tips on how to deal with a video interview.
GET COMFORTABLE AND MAKE SURE IT WORKS
If you have never used a video conferencing system like Skype before, set up a few video calls with friends or family. Make sure you test the technology beforehand to make sure you can be heard and seen ok.
MAKE SURE YOU LOOK GOOD You can use the Tools > Options > Video settings to ensure that you are clearly in shot, plus adjust the zoom and position to get it just right. Don’t set the zoom too high, you don’t want your face to fill the screen, you want to have some background as well. Your background should be neutral; you don’t want the interviewer to be distracted by the mess in your room, and think about lighting – you want them to be able to see you, so close curtains if it is too sunny and have the lights on if the room is dark. It may also be better to have your laptop on a stable surface rather than wobbling on your knees too.
WHAT’S YOUR SKYPE NAME? Just like your email address, make sure you have a professional Skype name.
BEFORE AND DURING THE INTERVIEW Turn off your mobile phone and ensure family and pets will not disturb you. Wear business clothes, and not just on your top half, you may need to stand up! Prepare to the same extent as you would for a face-to-face meeting. Have pen and paper ready so you can make notes. If other people share your internet connection, ask them to go offline for the duration of your call, or at least to avoid watching YouTube videos etc. Look at the camera rather than the screen to help you make eye contact. Keep your posture similar to what you would do in a face-to-face interview, such as to lean slightly forward to help with eye contact.
Be cautious on having notes you can refer to. Each time you look at them you are not looking at the screen, so have key points written on Post-It notes on the side of your screen.
Volume 22 – Issue 4 |December 2012 33
present yourself better than any of the applicants who already live in the target country – you need to stand out above the crowd to be shortlisted
You must
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