The Career Brief
Acing the Video Interview
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Interviews that are held over Zoom or other video platforms are very much “real” interviews and preparation should be on the same level as for an in-person interview with some additional considerations to keep in mind.
Here are some tips to help you ace your video interview:
- Create good lighting. To avoid looking shadowy or unfocused, test well ahead of the interview to find a spot that shows your face clearly. You can employ some additional lighting industry tips to make you look even better, such as using a special light for this purpose, placing a lamp behind and to the side of your computer, or even placing a white piece of paper on the desk to reflect light up toward your face.
- Simulate sitting across the table. Set your camera slightly above eye-level and at an appropriate distance so that the top one third of your torso (chest up) is showing. This most closely looks like you are sitting across the table from the interviewer. Placing the camera too low is not flattering, too close is sort of creepy, and looking down or sideways or at the ceiling looks disinterested. Nobody can tell that you’ve stacked your textbooks and cereal boxes under your laptop to bring it to the right height, and you will come across to the interviewer as comfortable and put together.
- Avoid distracting backgrounds. Once you find your good light and angle, make sure that your background is free from any distractions or inappropriate items. Your future employer will judge you based on what they see in the background. Make sure the space is tidy, clean, and as simple and free of items as possible. If you don’t have a space that works, consider using a very simple zoom background that is professional looking. (If you need a space for a video or phone interview, you can reserve the Interview Room in the Gantenbein suite for 30-minute blocks between 9:30 - 5:00 Monday through Friday. There is a signup sheet outside room 034 in Gantenbein, or you can email lscs@lclark.edu to reserve the room).
- Test your audio. Make sure your audio is working. Do a test call. If you don’t have anyone to test with, Career Services will be more than happy to do a test run with you to make sure you look and sound great.
- Prepare for technical glitches. Make sure you have a good number to call the employer if the video goes haywire. Also, add your full name and a professional, interview-like photograph to your Zoom, Teams, or other video profile so that the interviewers can still see your confident, smiling face on their screen even if technical issues require you to go voice only.
- Clear the bandwidth. Turn off all other Internet usage items, especially if you’ve been experiencing technical problems with video conferencing.
- Look at the camera, not your face. This is unnatural but it is really important to make “eye contact” with your interviewer by looking straight into your camera rather than your screen. Practice this on a test call when you have your video setup location arranged.
- Be enthusiastic. It may be harder to convey confidence and enthusiasm over the phone or video, so make sure to keep your face pleasant and interested. One way to convey interest is to lean in slightly toward the speaker with straight posture. Also, speak clearly and succinctly because any slight garble may be exaggerated on this platform.
- Traditional interview protocol applies. Be prepared. Dress like a lawyer for the interview (top and bottom, thank you). Practice your answers and bring your own list of questions. Be on time. Do not eat or drink anything during the interview - but have a cup of water nearby in case you start coughing or something. The virtual twist is that you will additionally need to banish all distractions. Turn off your phone’s ringer and send your dog and roommates outside.
- Don’t freak out. If, during the interview, your cat walks across the camera, just ride it out. Have a little humor. We’re all in the same boat!