The recruitment industry is currently going through a leap forward into the digital age, with recruiters becoming more tech-savvy and utilizing emerging technologies. One offshoot of this is the rise in the use of the video interview. The video interview is becoming a popular tool amongst recruiters and HR people and can be the making or breaking of your interview process. According to research conducted by video conferencing company PGI:
- Six in 10 recruiters currently incorporate video into the interview process.
- Sixty-six percent of candidates say they actually prefer it.
- The ways communication is conveyed in these interviews is 55% via human face, 38% tone of voice, and only 7% from the words that are said.
Here are a few tips to make sure you nail yours!
Preparation is Key for Video Interviews
- Make sure your Skype name is professional, and if not create a new account. ‘John. Smith’ gives a much better first impression than ‘Captain. Cuddles’ does.
- Make sure to dress professionally, just as you would for a regular interview. Just because you are being interviewed on a laptop in your kitchen, doesn’t mean you should be sitting there in your dressing gown! Dressing in smart business attire not only looks better to the interviewer but also prepares your brain to function at its best.
- Make sure the table and surrounding area is clean and tidy, with preferably a plain wall behind you. You want the interviewer to focus their attention on you. You don’t want them to be distracted by your collection of Star Trek figurines or your ‘hilarious’ dorm room posters.
- Lighting is extremely important. Having a light in front of you and a light behind you is advised. This is to eliminate any shadows and ensure you are looking your best. Video call a friend before the interview to ensure you look good and all your equipment is working perfectly.
- Make sure your internet connection is strong and your laptop is fully charged or plugged in. There is nothing more annoying for a prospective employer than being cut off halfway through an interview
During the Interview
- During the interview, be sure to remain in eye contact with the interviewer. However, this means that you are looking into the webcam lens most of the time, and not into the interviewers’ eyes on the screen. You should also make the image of yourself thumbnail sized and position it on the screen directly under the webcam so that if you check it, you won’t look like you’re looking away.
- Sometimes internet connection can be slow, so pause when your interviewer has finished talking. This is to make sure that they are really finished and you are not going to start talking over them. Take it slow.
- The interview process will be largely the same as a regular interview, with the same types of questions being asked.
Rezoomo will soon be adding video interview feedback to our career hub, where you can send your recorded video interview to our recruitment specialists for review and tips for future interviews.
