5 tips for professional and smooth video meetings/interviews

As the hybrid working model continues to dominate, video meetings have become part of daily life for many of us.  For job-seekers, video interviews are now commonplace.

By now, we are all familiar with video meetings right? Maybe, but there are still a few people who don't consider themselves tech savvy. Throw in interview nerves, and it’s easy to see how things could go horribly wrong.

Creating a positive first impression is as important as it ever was, yet it’s more difficult to achieve through an internet connection than in person.

To help maximise your chances of success, and minimise the chances of a tech fail, we’ve put together some broad tips and tricks to make your online meetings or video interviews as stress-free as possible.

1)    Check your tech! Several times!

By far and away the biggest priority is to ensure your video meeting set up is good to go. You do not want a cringeworthy conversation about internet connections to get in the way of a first impression.

Check and double check every aspect of your tech set up. Is the internet connection working?

Have you got a back-up, such as a personal hotspot, just in case?

Are your camera and microphone working, connected and at the right settings?

Have you logged into the software, is it up to date?

The ideal scenario is to try and run a test meeting with a friend in advance of your meeting. If you know everything will run like clockwork, your confidence will be high, anxiety low and you can focus on the all-important interview.

2)    Know your tech and utilize the features.

OK, your tech is working, but do you know how to use it? 

We all remember the hilarious memes from the pandemic mocking people’s ability to mute, share their screen etc. Whether you’ll be using Zoom, Teams or something else, make sure you really know the system well. 

Can you seamlessly mute/unmute and start the camera?

Do you know the difference between sharing a screen and a window?

Are you familiar with the presentation features? 

If you are planning on sharing anything at all in the video interview, have the documents or pages ready, open and orgnaised. Then shut down everything else to avoid unnecessary pauses or sharing something personal.

Again, running a test meeting with a friend to practice using all the features you’ll need will help you feel prepared and ready.

3)    First impressions count.

With a physical interview at a prospective employer, you can’t control your environment. But, if you’re on an online video meeting, you need to make things as easy for you and the interviewer.

Set up with a plain wall behind you, avoid showing too much personal clutter, or use a fuss-free background. This will ensure the focus is on you.

Make sure you are shut away from noises and distractions as much as possible, with no chance of your cat, or even your child, making an unwanted appearance!

Just like any good camera operator, consider the lighting! Think about where best to position yourself in relation to the light source or add a ring light to your tech set-up.

Creating the right environment for you and the interviewer will help put you both at ease and able to concentrate fully on the meeting.

4)    Presentation and body language are still really important!

Just because you’re interviewing remotely, don’t throw away the usual interview rules.

It’s essential to dress the part, so make sure you’ve planned and ironed your outfit. And, a professional look will also help you get into the interview mindset.

Make sure you’re on time! Time goes extremely slowly if you’re waiting for someone on a video call so make sure you log on a couple of minutes beforehand – but don’t be too early either.

When you’ve connected, don’t forget to smile and extend a warm ‘virtual handshake’ greeting. Be mindful of your posture and body language and maintain eye-contact – with your camera. If it’s not in the best place, change the position when you run through your technology set-up.

Online video meetings often run to set times so once again, mirror best practice for in-person interviews. So, listen carefully, keep your answers to the point and avoid waffling.

All this may sound obvious, but it’s amazing how many people overlook the basics regularly on online video meetings.

5)    Preparation is paramount.

Finally, as with any interview, do your research and planning.

Think about the job description and how your skills align with what the interviewer is looking for.

Check back through your CV - what examples can you use to illustrate your achievements and value to the organization?

Your recruiter will be able to provide a lot of information about the role, the interviewer, team structure and objectives.  Ensure you’ve read up on the company – visit their website, LinkedIn page and company news.  

If you’ve been asked to provide a presentation, practice this a few times, along with answers to potential interview questions.

Good preparation will boost your confidence and help to quash interview nerves. 

Today, an interview process is very likely to include an online video meeting stage – whether it’s with the recruitment consultant, the employer, or both.

Give yourself the best chance of success by minimizing the chance of tech failures and delivering a smooth experience.

The format of the interview may have changed, but the importance of good preparation, presentation and a first impression hasn’t. Good luck!

 

We offer all candidates advice on all aspects of their job search. Our team will coach and prepare you for video interviews and online meetings as well as advise on your CV.

You can find tips on how to build a great LinkedIn profile here

 

‹ Back