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The interview process is no longer restricted to in-person meetings—where you have to visit the office to meet the interviewer. Today, many recruiters turn to video interviews as an equally efficient method.
A video interview is one where you’re on video call with your interviewer. What you need is a laptop or desktop with a working camera. A video call interview is convenient when you aren’t able to visit the office—maybe you or the interviewer is in another city.
As with any interview, preparation is critical for a successful video interview. From knowing what to expect to technical requirements, find out the do’s and don’ts of a video interview.
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What To Expect From A Video Interview
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Verbal And Nonverbal Communication In Video Interviews
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How To Prepare For Video Interview
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Your Journey To Success
What To Expect From A Video Interview
A video job interview can be treated like a regular interview aside from the fact that you’re only available on screen. As we get more comfortable with the idea of remote working, video interviews will become more common—maybe even the preferred mode of interview.
So, getting used to the format and the way it’s conducted can be helpful in the long run. It’s important to prepare for a video interview just like you would for an in-person interview.
Key video interview tips you should keep in mind are:
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Make sure your documents are in order before the interview. Send your resumes, cover letters and other relevant documents to the interviewer beforehand.
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Practice answers to common video interview questions and prepare notes so you know what to say.
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Remember to dress formally because even though the interview is virtual, you’re still visible to the interviewer.
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You may be nervous even before a video interview so try to give yourself a pep talk. This way you’ll appear more enthusiastic about the opportunity.
Interviews are ultimately about communication. If you can convey what you bring to the table clearly, you’re more likely to get selected.
Verbal And Nonverbal Communication In Video Interviews
An important aspect of a video interview is communication. Communication may be verbal—spoken—or nonverbal—body language, gestures, etc.
During a video interview, you have to make sure that you’re speaking clearly, slowly and engagingly. Just because it’s virtual, you shouldn’t make any less of an effort. You must keep the interviewer in mind when you’re talking to them.
Here are some video interview tips for effective communication:
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Prepare a self-introduction so you don’t flounder when the interviewer asks you to talk about yourself. Short, crisp sentences are more effective than long sentences that can make you lose track.
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Maintain eye contact with your interviewer by looking at the webcam instead of the laptop screen. Also make sure not to look elsewhere while you’re speaking or you’ll appear distracted.
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Listen before you start speaking or answering questions. Talking over your interviewer or interrupting them may leave a poor impression.
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Don’t make too many hand gestures as the screen can freeze as a result. Keep your hands on your lap or the desk and sit straight to maintain good posture.
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Try to look upbeat and excited, so that the interviewer knows you’re eager to join their organization.
Effective communication can help you get your point across with more clarity. Use the PAM (Purpose-Audience-Message) framework to craft meaningful and impactful answers to video interview questions. This way, you’ll know exactly what to say and when. Substantiating your answers with examples is another good way to give unique responses.
How To Prepare For A Video Interview
From preparing answers to common video interview questions to setting up your laptop and internet connection, follow these video interview tips for better results:
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Some commonly-asked interview questions are “tell me about yourself…” and “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”. Prepare answers to these questions and practice them with a friend or family—record your answers to identify areas for improvement.
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Remember to confirm the date and time of the video interview in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
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Practice setting up your laptop, internet connection and other technical requirements, like which platform to use—this will help you get used to the process.
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Make sure you pick a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed by your family members or external noises.
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Have your documents at hand in case you need them, prepare a notebook to jot down notes and keep a glass of water on the desk.
Always follow-up with your interviewer by sending a thank you email or acknowledgment for their time. This shows them that you’re courteous and respectful.
Your Journey To Success
Rather than being afraid of rejection, focus on what you can learn from your video interview. Interpersonal and communication skills, active listening and crafting impactful messages are essential skills that you can pick up in the process. Treat it as part of a journey toward your goals.
Be more confident in your ability to develop engaging responses with Harappa’s Ace The Interview course. Learn important frameworks like the PAM and how you can apply these to tackle different questions. Our expert faculty will give you insightful tips on how to approach job interviews and common mistakes to avoid. Take your time to learn, improve and execute concepts to achieve your career goals!
Explore topics such as General HR Interview Questions, What are the Common Questions to Ask an Interviewer, How to Follow-Up After an Interview, Exit Interview Questions and Answers & How to Answer Panel Interview Questions from Harappa Diaries and crack your next interview.
