12 Smart Ways to Master the Video Interview

A seasoned professional (15+ years of experience) I'm working with just got contacted by an executive recruiter for a C-suite position. It happened less than one week after I showed her how to optimize her LinkedIn profile to attract more recruiters. The phone screen went well, the executive team approved her resume, and now she's on to the video interview.

As a seasoned professional, you'd think she'd know how to nail this next step.

Yet, this is a brilliant example of how times have changed and many talented and experienced professionals aren't up-to-speed with the latest techniques. (Especially, older workers - as is seen in this video series.) I shared with her my list of tips to master video interviews and she was genuinely surprised at how many of them she had never considered. While she knew how to prep for the interview with respect to questions they might ask her and being knowledgeable about the company, she never considered the actual logistics of making the interview go smoothly from a technology standpoint.

Therefore, I thought perhaps I should share them with all of you too!

Here are some guidelines for maximizing the effectiveness of your next video interview:

1) Clear the room of all noises and distractions (that means the cat too!). Sounds obvious, but you'd be amazed at how many people forget to turn off phones and printers, close the windows from street noise, put the cat or dog out of earshot (or your lap!), and other things that will not only distract you during the interview, they will distract the recruiter too. Do a full sweep of the room and get rid of anything that can create unexpected noise. Doesn't hurt either to put a sign on the door that says, "Do not disturb, knock, or call my name - important interview in progress." Just ask anyone whose spouse or kids barged in during a key interview and they'll tell you they wish they had!

2) Put a blank wall behind you. There is a saying, "People hear what they see." Whatever recruiters see in the camera shot will be evaluated. You may think the picture is harmless, or the curtains are cute, but everyone's tastes are different. Hiring IS discrimination. So, make sure there is nothing but you on the camera.

3) Dress for the job entirely - not just from the waist up. You should dress for the interview as if you were headed there in-person. Don't make the mistake of only dressing from the waist up and and leaving your PJs on for the bottom half. You just never know what might make you unexpectedly stand up. Don't risk the embarrassment! It also goes without saying that you should make sure the outfit is updated and professional. This is another one of those areas where seasoned professionals are missing the mark. Looking current in your attire can make the recruiter feel your skills are more up-to-date as well.

4) Close down all software programs. Live streaming video takes up a lot of usage of your computer. When you leave all sorts of programs open, it can affect the streaming quality. You want the recruiter to see and hear you without it being choppy. If you can, be directly connected to the internet line as opposed to wireless as well. Whatever you can do to power up the connection quality is smart.

5) Print out your notes. Since you need to shut down all programs on the computer, print out any notes about the company and the job opportunity and have them in front of you for reference. If you need to look at them, just mention to the recruiter you want to glance at the notes. That's so much more appropriate then you opening up files on your computer and staring at them while trying to talk. Looks especially weird when you lean in close to read something!

6) Sit on a hard chair or stool. You don't want to be too comfortable and slouchy. Choose a chair that makes you sit up straight. It's that simple.

7) Prop up the camera to eye height. People make the mistake of using their laptop camera and staring down at it. This gives a very intimidating presence. It's like you are looming over the recruiter. Things you say can come across as more intense and domineering. You don't want to overpower the recruiter. Prop the laptop up on books until the camera is eye height so that the conversation feels more natural.

8) Practice staring at the camera when you answer questions. You'll naturally want to stare at the person on the screen when you answer questions, but that will make your eyes cast down below the camera and appear like you aren't looking back at them. Practice giving your answers to the camera and train your eye not to drop. Even though you won't see the recruiter, it will appear like you are looking right at them.

9) Put a light on the other side of the camera. Lighting is very important. Not only should the room be well lit, but you should put a big lamp on the other side of the camera facing you so that you are fully lit from the front. This will make sure that you don't look dark and brooding on camera. NOTE: Test run your lighting with someone before the event to make sure it doesn't look like their is a spotlight on you. You should be well lit, but not glowing in the dark!

10) Put a 'smiley face' sticker on the screen. It's easy to forget to smile in an interview. If you put a smiley face on the computer screen, the recruiter can't see it, but each time you glance at it you'll know to smile and look happy.

11) Have a glass of water in arm's reach. An unexpected cough, dry mouth, or nerves can happen at any time. So, keep that glass of water handy in the even you suddenly need it.

12) Know where your mute button is! No matter how much you prepare, things can go wrong and you may need to hit 'mute' unexpectedly. Figure out where it is in advance so you can quickly turn sound off and step out of the video shot if necessary.

I'm sure readers will offer some more tips in the comments below - I welcome additions to the list!

Now that hiring is on the rise and the talent shortage is heating up...

You'll find more companies pushing to do video interviews to speed up the hiring process. Follow the tips above and you could be in a new job sooner than you expect. Your tech savvy, confident approach to this new form of interviewing will make all the difference!

P.S. - Have we met yet? First, thanks for reading my article! I have the privilege of being the CEO of CareerHMO.com. Besides writing for LinkedIn, I also write column for INC Magazine is called "Workplace Referee." I invite you to CLICK BELOW on some of my most popular articles:

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