How To Ace Your Video Call Job Interview

Your 2020 Job Hunt

You’ve spent hours making sure your resume is in tip-top shape, and many more hours slogging through job sites. You decided that this time you’ll be organized about your job search, so you’ve started tracking all your applications. But somewhere around your hundredth application, everything got bleary and you lost count.

After months of applying for jobs, just as you were about to give up, it finally happened! You scored an interview! Congrats!

So, what’s your plan to blow them away? How will you stand out among the competition?

Dare To Prepare

In pre-COVID times, you might prepare by getting a fresh haircut, ironing your most flattering outfit, or triple-checking to make sure your alarm is set early enough for you to beat traffic. But these days, many of our traditional preparations for a job interview have flown out the window.

There are countless articles and videos out there that will walk you through questions you can expect based on your industry, experience, and country. While we definitely suggest sifting through some of these resources, the purpose of this article isn’t to prepare you in the traditional way.

In our post-COVID world, an increasing number of job interviews are being conducted over video chats like Zoom or Google Meet. This article is to help you focus on some commonly-overlooked factors of a video interview that can work for you if you get them right — but can work against you if you fail to address them.

Video interviews can work for you if you get them right — but can work against you if you fail to address some commonly-overlooked factors.

How To Ace Your Video Interview

First and foremost: Don’t wait until a hiring manager schedules your interview! Start preparing today.

By preparing early, you’ll not only decrease the stress involved in your job interview, but you’ll also increase your confidence—and your chances of success!

Use this checklist to make sure that when the next video chat invite arrives, you’ll be cool-headed and ready to show them what you got.

Set The Stage

Unlike job interviews of old, you’re in control of your surroundings. This control can give you a subtle, but powerful, boost. But, if neglected, it can be your demise.

• Avoid any decorations, paintings, or objects that might distract the interviewer or draw their eye away from your face. Most interviewers know that you’re literate and don’t need to see a bookcase in the background to prove it.
• While this may seem boring, your best option is to set up the camera so that it faces a blank wall. Make sure to sit close enough so the interviewer can only see your head and shoulders.
• Natural light, preferably not too bright nor too dim, is perfect for highlighting your face on their screen.
• Want to go the extra mile? Wipe down the wall behind you to remove any dust or blemishes that might stand out against the solid backdrop.

Test Your Tech

The last thing you want is for a technical issue to get in the way of a great interview. Here are some simple tips to make sure your equipment is as ready as you are.

• Place your webcam or laptop at the same height as the top of your head and point it slightly downward, which is the most flattering angle for most people.
• Find a quiet spot where background noises like pets or traffic won’t interfere with your audio. Your furry little friends might be cheering you on, but they may also make it hard for the interviewer to hear you.
• Hop on a call with a friend to take your gear for a spin. Make sure you’re comfortable using both Zoom or Google Meet, and check that your internet connection is strong. That way, you won’t have to figure out how to adjust video settings while also trying to answer interview questions.
• If you think you may end up having to share your screen, make sure your desktop is free of any embarrassing files or background images.
• Just before the interview, prevent common distractions by turning your cell phone notifications off and putting a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your door.

Time To Pretend

Get your head in the game by using the tried and true method of practice, practice, practice. The more comfortable you are in front of the camera, the better you’ll do during a live interview.

• Remember that friend that helped you test out your tech? Time to get them back on a video chat to help you practice. If you’re lucky enough to find another job seeker you can take turns interviewing each other. Don’t forget to take notes to review afterwards.
• Did you smile enough? Was your face relaxed or tense? Did your hair keep falling in front of your eyes? While you practice, jot down the little things that bother you so you can make sure to address them before a real interview. Even if the interviewer doesn’t notice them, the little things can reduce your confidence and cause you to perform poorly.
• Find industry-specific help online. As we mentioned earlier, a quick Google search will result in lots of great resources, like lists of the top interview questions used in your industry. Being able to provide a clear, confident answer to a tricky question can give you the edge over those who seem flustered or unsure of themselves.

Know Thyself

These days, many employers are looking beyond the resume. They might reject more experienced applicants in favor of someone who can add a missing cultural element to the team. Getting to know yourself better will help you leverage your strengths and express what you can offer beyond your skill set.

• Not all personality tests are created equal, but whichever one you choose should offer a glimpse at hidden strengths you might otherwise miss. Maybe you’re an introvert going into a sales role? That might seem like a weakness, but it could also mean that you have the ability to connect on a more intimate level with your customers.
• Work culture, also known as team culture, is an emerging concept that helps employers see how each person they hire can change their team’s efficiency. Take this short quiz to learn your ideal work culture, and then, for extra credit, bring it up during your interview to show them what you bring to the table besides your experience.

Redo Your Resume

Your resume is a snapshot of you. You’ve spent hours making sure it tells your story, but how do you know it’s working for you instead of against you?

• What does your font choice say about you? Is your list of skills and experience too long, or is it too short? And what about those pesky applicant tracking systems that search your resume for keywords and throw yours out before a human ever has a chance to see it?
• If you want to take your career to the next level (or just get a job quickly) we recommend finding a professional to help you make sure your resume does what it’s supposed to do. We’ve partnered with one of the leading resume-writing services to offer you a free, confidential resume review. Take this short quiz to see if you qualify, and we’ll connect you to someone who can help you make your resume shine.