Conquering a Video Interview
Video interviews can be so awkward and scary, not to mention they’re becoming increasingly common, especially with large companies.
Check out my Q+A with talent acquisition expert Wendy Scott to help you ace your next video interview. Wendy has almost a decade of experience in talent acquisition with the bulk of her time spent at Tesla and at Nike. She’s now a Recruiting Manager at Binc, which places technology industry talent at companies like Dropbox, Samsung, and Airbnb to name a few.
Merryn: Companies seem to be doing more pre-recorded interviews. What are your top tips for how to best handle this type of interview?
Wendy: Pre-recorded interviews are typically used in high volume situations where you have a large funnel of candidates you need to filter through quickly. This means you need to sell yourself immediately (or they may stop watching you and move onto the next person). You want to show in the first minute that you are professional, excited about the opportunity, and knowledgeable about the company or role you are going for. Beyond that, the most important thing is to be yourself and think about ways you can set yourself apart from others going through the same process.
Merryn: What do you think is the best setting for a video interview?
Wendy: It really doesn't matter where you are so long as the background isn't distracting to the viewer. A simple office or conference room would be ideal. I would also make sure your video isn't moving (the camera should be on a stationed laptop vs a phone in your hand). It should also be quiet so the only thing heard is you talking. For example, if you have kids at home, I would make sure they are napping or at school when you do the video call. If you are at a university, I would consider asking a professor if you could use their office or seeing if your department has a conference room you could rent out.
Merryn: Any advice on what to wear for a video interview?
Wendy: First and foremost, I would ask whoever sent you the video interview what you should wear. If you still aren't sure, I would wear what you would wear to an in-person interview. You have to know the culture of the company! For example, if I was interviewing at Tesla and knowing their dress code is casual, I'd still dress as if I was going down for in-person interviews (a nicer blouse, for example). If I was interviewing for a finance role at a bank where they wear suits, I would wear a suit or at least a nicer blazer.
Merryn: Have you seen anything in a video interview that was either a huge win or a huge miss?
Wendy: Yes! When I was at Nike, we had a candidate show his favorite pair of Nike's, and then he quickly showed another pair, and another pair. I believe he said something like "....and these! ...and these! ...and these!". He must have gone through 10 pairs and he had them strategically placed so they were easy to grab and we couldn't see them in the interview until he stood up and pulled them out. He was quick going through them, animated, humorous, and it showed his passion for the brand immediately. We loved it, especially for the area he interviewed for... marketing. He was marketing himself and it was genius. We ended up hiring him to be a Brand Manager for the Global Marketing Development Program. And on the flip side, unfortunately the majority of video interviews are not good. Candidates don't look at the camera as they are trying to read off a script or they don't read instructions clearly when prompted and are just sitting there staring at the screen confused instead of answering the question. Part of the interview is making sure you are able to read instructions and answer questions on the fly. If you aren't able, you are going to get passed on. If you’re nervous and have questions about a pre-recorded interview, ask the person who sent the interview link what to expect so you can prepare as best possible.
Merryn: Is there anything else you think people should be aware with video interviewing?
Wendy: As awkward as it can be, you have to pretend you are talking to a human (not a computer) .... it makes all the difference! Practice, practice, practice, just like you would for any interview-in-person or on video!
Want more advice to help you ace your next interview? Check out my book, Made To Hire: How to Get the Job You Really Want. It features my advice along with advice from numerous HR and recruiting experts like Wendy. If you prefer online learning, my online course, Ace the Interview, could be your secret weapon.