Life in most parts of the world has returned to normal after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoom grew by 2900%, making it one of the fastest-growing applications in 2020 and 2021.
Video interviewing is one of the changes that are here to stay. So before you get on that zoom, be sure to prep so there are no problems with your technology.
ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
The best way to start preparing for a video interview is to remove any background noise or distractions from your interview space. Since most people do their interviews from home, children, pets, and TV tend to be the most common sources of these distractions. See if a friend or babysitter can watch your kids and/or pets while the interview goes on, and make sure to turn off the TV. Next, make sure the wall behind you is not distracting. Find a clean wall in your house and set up the camera there. Even things like curtains and furniture in the background can be distracting.
TEST YOUR EQUIPMENT
Even if you’ve made numerous video calls in the past, technology tends to stop working when you really need it to. Before the interview, do a practice call with a friend to make sure everything is working correctly. Use this time to familiarize yourself with the video application and find the different buttons for the microphone and video displays. Not only are you wasting your time, but you’re wasting the interviewer’s time if you encounter technical issues, and most likely the interviewer will not appreciate that.
KEEP YOUR FOCUS
One of the most common mistakes I see candidates make during video interviews is looking at the computer screen the entire time instead of at the camera. Whenever it’s your turn to speak, make sure to look directly into the camera and not at the interviewer on the screen. Although it may seem strange to look into the camera when you’re speaking, it actually gives the interviewer the impression that you’re making eye contact. When you look at the screen the entire time, it gives the interviewer the impression that you’re distracted.
Since it doesn’t look like video interviews are going away anytime soon, it’s important to become familiar with this technology so you can make a great first impression. Don’t have any interviews lined up? Apply to one of our open career opportunities today!
