{"id":1337,"date":"2020-04-07T14:00:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T14:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/?page_id=1337"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:55:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T10:55:40","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-a-video-interview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/how-to-prepare-for-a-video-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for a Video Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Video interviews have been around for a while now, with the events of the pandemic leading to a huge upsurge in their popularity. Given that, many more of us could be facing an online video interview process, and possibly for the first time. Much like anything jobsearch related however, being prepared is half the battle. Many of the tips in our <\/span>face to face interview guide<\/span><\/a> still apply to video interviews as well, although there are some important differences, which we’ll cover below.
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So, whether you\u2019ve got your first ever video interview fast approaching, or just want a quick refresher on the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts, here\u2019s how to give yourself the best chances of success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tech Specs – What You\u2019ll Need<\/h2>\n
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First things first – get your tech set up. The gear you\u2019ll need is pretty much the same whether you’re doing a pre-recorded video interview or live one.
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Webcam<\/strong> – Most laptops and tablets have a decent built-in webcam these days, but there are also plenty of affordable stand-alone options. Given the fact we\u2019re all self-isolating at the moment, a new webcam could be a good all-round investment, as you can use it to chat with family and friends too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Headset<\/strong> – We\u2019d strongly advise getting a headset for two reasons. First of all, the headset mic is a much better option than your inbuilt webcam or laptop mic, because it will only pick up your voice. This means any screaming kids, barking dogs, or howling hungry cats won\u2019t intrude on that well-rehearsed interview speech that could nail you the job. Secondly, the overall sound quality will be clearer, and you can easily adjust the mic levels, rather than having to faff with laptop or webcam settings while you’re being asked to highlight the finer points of your CV. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stable Internet<\/strong> – Poor video quality, loss of sound, and freezing will quickly complicate the interview process, and destroy any hard-won rapport with your interviewer. Glitches and technical hiccups happen, and are sometimes unavoidable, but you can easily minimise the risk by checking you’ve got as strong a connection as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally speaking, make sure your laptop or desktop computer is connected to the internet using an ethernet cable, as you\u2019ll have a much faster connection. This will be extremely helpful when streaming video. If you don\u2019t have any other option than Wi-Fi, then it can help to have a fast router. You can also increase the strength of your signal by placing your laptop as close to the router as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Video Calling Software<\/strong> – Overall, Skype and Zoom tend to be the most popular solutions, and are both free to set up and use. Skype is integrated with Microsoft these days as well, so it\u2019s just a case of grabbing the app and logging in if you\u2019re using Windows. It can be handy to have these two on your computer ready to go, but make sure you only ever open zoom video call links from a trusted source.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s best to ask the company that\u2019s given you the interview which software they use too. Most of the time they\u2019ll let you know in advance anyway, but double-check if you\u2019re not sure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Preparation<\/h2>\n

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What to Wear<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Doing a video interview does mean you get to stay at home, but you should still dress appropriately. What you wear is arguably even more important in a video interview, because you also need to factor in how your outfit will translate on camera. Keep the following things in mind though, and you won\u2019t need to spend hours going through your wardrobe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n