Do's and Don’ts of Online Video Interviewing

Online video interviews have become increasingly common, especially in the era of remote work and virtual job interviews but how many ever practice? Interviewing is an art and takes skills to be excellent. To help you make a positive impression and effectively navigate the online video interview process, here are the top 10 Do's and Don'ts:

Do's:

SMILE  Your first 15 seconds are going to make a huge impact on how your interview goes. Sixty percent of communication is image and starting out with a big smile. This will automatically warm up the hiring manager. Putting in a little laughter throughout is not bad but don’t fake it.

Test your technology, I highly recommend doing a trial run with the video conferencing platform you'll be using to ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly. Once you have confirmed everything is working, connect with your spouse, friend, or kids and ask them where your eyes are looking. So often, my clients are either looking out into space or down to the ground. Computers and camera alignment can be different so make sure you are looking directly at the person that is interviewing. Nothing worse than not looking the interviewer in the eye.

Dress up as you would for an in-person interview. When you dress up, it gives you a sense of professionalism and confidence. Tip: wear solid colors to make you stand out. Avoid white and distracting patterns

Practice good body language. Sit up straight, maintain good posture, and avoid distracting gestures. Use hand movements sparingly. Good body position also helps you to breathe easier. Make sure to speak slowly and remember the “power of the pause”. Pausing at the right moments not only helps you to catch your breath but also helps you to make a statement. So many candidates are nervous at the beginning of an interview and speak way too fast. Slow down!

Active Listening. One of the key turn-offs for hiring managers is when candidates interrupt them mid-sentence. Be sure to show engagement through nodding and nonverbal cues. In my opinion, a successful interview will be 60% listening and 40% talking.

Prepare good questions. Many sure you have thought-provoking questions. One of my favorites is “What does success look like in the position after 12 months?” Chances are you are one of the hundreds of candidates for one position, so make sure you have a closing line “What are the next steps”.

Don'ts

Don't Wing It! Like any great athlete who is training for a competition, treat your online interviews the same way. If you have a coach, work with them multiple times to make sure you are totally prepared. Research the company, recruiter, hiring manager, Glass door, Google the company, look at the annual report. Make sure you know everything possible.

Don't Be Late. I read a book a few years ago that talked about “margin” and giving yourself extra time. In today’s “just on time” world, I would recommend logging on five minutes early to avoid the stress, after all, we are talking about technology.

During the pandemic if your pet, child, spouse, neighbor, or the lawn mowing company showed up it was okay. As we enter 2024, that is no longer acceptable. Choosing the right location is critical. Last week I was interviewing a former CEO, when his 100 lbs. sheepdog decided to walk into the picture. Selecting a quiet, well-lit, and clutter-free area with a neutral background is a good start to a great interview.

Don't forget about good lighting. Ensure good lighting so your face is well-lit and visible. Avoid sitting with your back to a window, which can create a silhouette effect. Consider purchasing a Video conference lighting system which you can get for less than $25 from Amazon.

Don't Rush, take your time when answering questions. Don't rush through your responses. It's okay to pause and gather your thoughts. Repeating the question can help you gather your thought process.

Don't have your cell phone ringer on, social media alerts, text messages.

Don’t wear pajama pants!

Good luck with your next interview. If you need help, please reach out to me, Catalyze Career Coaching has helped hundreds of executives nail their interviews.