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A few years ago, it was only reported in the media as a huge novelty, but today, video job interviewing is almost a common practice.

You may want to learn about the main types of video interviews, as there is a growing chance that you will need to introduce yourself in this form during your next application.

In one recent job interview training, one participant reported having a video interview with a large company. Well, not like you’d first think a video call was made via skype. Instead, he was emailed a link to a website where, after a unique login, he had to answer questions from a computer in front of a video camera.

While most video interviews don’t use such advanced technology, it doesn’t hurt to know more about video job interviews either. First of all, it is worth clarifying an important issue.

Why a video job interview?

Video interviewing is most often not an end in itself. It is used by companies in the selection for several reasons, here are the three most common reasons that explain its increasing use:

• On the one hand, a video job interview saves time by helping you filter candidates at the beginning of the selection process. While a face-to-face meeting takes at least 45-60 minutes (plus an appointment), a video presentation or hearing can be done much faster. And you can get a much more detailed impression of an applicant during a video presentation or conversation as opposed to a telephone interview. 
• With a video job interview, you can easily save on travel, at least once. For example, if the applicant lives in a different city or country than the employer, a video interview during the first round of interviews will trigger a face-to-face meeting, saving time and travel costs, which will significantly save the candidate.

Who prefers a video interview?

Video interviewing is used primarily by technology-oriented industries – IT companies, financial services companies, service centers – primarily by multinational corporations. many companies are using this form of selection, but in the United Kingdom, it is already a common method for 42% of large companies. So it’s worth preparing for it early.

What does a video job interview look like?

As a job seeker, you can basically come across three different types of video interviews:

1. The first, and perhaps most common, the way is to have a live job interview as part of a video conference or a skype call. The scenario is pretty much the same as in a face-to-face meeting, with the difference that you talk to the interviewer in a video call.
2. In the second case, the job posting company asks you to make yourself an app. 5-10 minute introductory video and upload it to a password-protected web interface. This is a little harder because you actually have to make a complete introductory video. 
3. The third type is when you enter a corporate career page or an Internet-managed web interface, a pre-compiled set of questions is played through your computer, which you usually have to answer in a  maximum of two minutes per question. So far, this type is not so widespread in Hungary, but don’t be surprised if you come across such a solution.

Video interviewing is a difficult terrain compared to face-to-face meetings, so above all, try to avoid it if possible! Rather, ask for a face-to-face meeting, go ahead of the video presentation! Offer to go to the company in person, be courteous in this!

If there is no other way to introduce yourself than through video, then you should be very serious about preparing for such competitions. Let’s look first at the technical part and then at the content part of the preparation!

What tools will you need for a video interview?

Of course, you will need a device that can record and stream both video and audio.

It can be a laptop or desktop computer. Perhaps a laptop with a built-in camera is the most convenient device, as they also have a built-in microphone. If you’re using a laptop, I suggest you put a few books under your laptop to get the camera from eye level.

You can also have a conversation with a standard desktop computer if you have an external webcam, but keep in mind that you will also need a microphone. A large headset is not the most ideal solution because you look like a pilot. 🙂

Smartphone / tablet. The big advantage of these devices is that they have a built-in camera and microphone and that almost everyone already has such a device. Their only drawback is that the image moves a lot while holding the mobile phone or tablet. 

When taking a picture, you should also make sure that the camera is at eye level and that you have enough light in front of you. The easiest thing to do is to record the video in natural daylight near the window, so there is almost certainly enough light available.

I suggest that you always test your settings with a few test shots before the video interview.

Now let’s look at how you can best prepare for a video interview in terms of content.

How to prepare for the video interview?

1) Job interview via skype or video conference

As I mentioned, this type is closest to a normal job interview, you have to be prepared for it practically the same way. I stress that in this case, too, it is advisable to prepare thoroughly for the expected job interview questions. 

2) Introductory video

When you are asked for an introductory video, it is entirely up to you what everything will be in the video, This is the advantage and of course the same disadvantage of this option. You know, it’s like saying in a job interview, “Tell me about yourself!”

This question is not really liked by job seekers because they are unsure of what to talk about. Well, the same is true for the introductory video interview: in the expected 5-8 minute material, you need to talk about yourself with the goal of selling yourself to prove to your employer that you are the “best” candidate for the job.

What are you worth talking about then?

Be sure to give a brief summary of your professional career so far, but understand how I write a short summary, so you don’t have to list all your jobs and jobs chronologically. It is worth highlighting the job that most closely resembles your application from your career, talk about what your main responsibilities were here.

However, what really sets you apart from the other applicants is not the description of the tasks, but what results you have achieved in recent years and what kind of knowledge, experience, and skills you have that will make you able to fill the job.

Be careful not to go into too much detail, however, be specific, avoid commonplaces, and try to provide as many examples and facts as possible that will convince the employer that you are indeed the ideal candidate.

A lot depends on how you compile this material because the experts of the companies can draw conclusions about your properties, such as insight, priority management, and time management.

It doesn’t matter how you present this, of course, but I’ll talk about that later.

3) What can you expect if you have to answer a series of interview questions?

In the event that you need to upload a non-introductory video, you will most likely receive a series of questions with about 10-12 questions – all candidates for a position will receive the same questions – with two minutes after each question to answer.

With this type of interview, it is not possible to predict for sure what questions will be asked, but since this is a competency-based interview technique, you may want to look at the expectations the advertiser has put forward in the job advertisement. If e.g. when applying for a customer service job that states that good problem-solving skills and a customer-oriented mindset, as well as communication skills, are expected, the question will surely be asked, “Have you ever dealt with a difficult customer? How did you solve the situation? ”

In addition to position-specific skills, you might want to prepare for the most common interview questions: Why would you want to switch? What piqued your interest in the job advertised? What are your plans? Why should we choose you?

You may also want to work out the answers to these questions. If you are unsure, write the full text of the answer, if not, it is enough to take it in sketch points and memorize what you have to say.

Describing the content helps a lot to capture the answer in your head and not forget anything about the excitement of a video interview.

Once you’re prepared for what you have to say, think about how you’re going to present it.

The first impression matters a lot here too!

However, we can only make a first impression once, so try to get the most out of the video interview.

Practice is essential to be able to sell yourself as professionally as possible during a video interview. Believe me, newsreaders, and actors were not born that way, a lot of practice enabled them to move confidently in front of the cameras. 

 
1. Exercise in front of a camera!

Pick yourself up with your phone, camcorder, and look critically at what you’re doing well and what you need to improve: you may be grimacing like Jim Carrey, or maybe you’re talking to the gestures of an Italian dealer, maybe your voice is too quiet and weak? you have phrases that you use annoyingly too much, maybe too much until you become aware of them, you can’t change them.

It can also help a lot to prepare for a traditional job interview by taking a video of your answers to some of the expected questions.

2. Look at the camera!

Even during video interviews, candidates often make the mistake of looking at the monitor, not the camera, so the selectors looking at the recording practically never see the candidate’s face or eyes

so they are practically unable to make eye contact with him, and we can use our gaze to convey the most authentic emotions from within, such as motivation, positive attitude, good mood, and harmony, so it is not worth leaving this channel untapped.

3. Communicate clearly and expressively.

Imagine yourself in the place of the selection professionals, they may have to watch 100 video interviews, so try to leave a mark on them: articulate to ensure comprehension, speech tempo is dynamic but followable

you have to be loud enough because you can’t know the microphone how much you convey from your voice, but the most important thing is to emphasize, change your tone, speech tempo to maintain interest.

4. Smile!

During the video interview, we want to make a sympathetic, engaging impression, and a smile is a prerequisite for this, which shows that you are a well-balanced, cheerful, lively candidate.

I know you’re saying good-good now, but it’s still an awkward situation, but I still advise you to try to enjoy it, because then the result will definitely be better.

5. Adhere to the time frames.

If you are told you have 2 minutes to respond, have an hour in front of you to keep track of how much time has elapsed since you responded. Time is subjective, or we feel a much longer or much shorter elapsed time when we talk, so practice it as well. how many sentences fit in two minutes.

6. Focus on appearance!

A video interview is a substitute for a telephone or first-person interview, so attach the same importance to it as if you were in an interview: dress just as demandingly.

Avoid wearing clothes, jewelry, and makeup that distract you from what you have to say. Beware e.g. from overly flashy colors, a small patterned top/shirt, large earrings.

7. Create a calm environment!

You can only perform well if you rule out any distractions, start when you are sure no one will disturb you, your children, the cat roaming the apartment, and your dog will not start barking in the apartment.

Don’t worry if you don’t get it right!

I’m not denying the video interview is tough terrain, but keep in mind that you don’t have to compete with the performance of the professional actors, but with the other entrants.

Don’t bother if you may not be 100%, but with the tips above in mind, you can already make and pass a pretty good quality video interview.

Think of a video interview as a task that will help you develop a lot of skills again, see communication, persuasion, and presentation skills, and these are the skills you need in your daily work and even in your personal life, so learn up! I wish you good luck!