Here are the top tips you need to keep in mind for video interviewing today:
Dress for an in-person interview so you look and feel professional. You’ll want to wear whatever you would have worn to an in-person interview, which typically means dressing one level above what the team wears daily to the office. If you’re interviewing at a company that promotes business-casual dress, you’ll want to wear a suit to your video interview. If you’re interviewing at a Silicon Valley tech startup where t-shirts and hoodies are the norm, a button-up or nice blouse will do the trick.
Set up smart by choosing a quiet location with a clean, well-lit background. Places you don’t want to take a virtual interview include: coffee shops, co-working spaces, on your bed, in front of your bar or dirty laundry or kids’ playroom. Minimize all distractions and make sure your background looks as professional as possible. Test your tech ahead of time and make sure to close all non-Skype programs to maximize your connectivity.
Be mindful of your body language. Square your body to the camera and maintain an open and relaxed posture. Use your hands or arms to help communicate your message. And above all make sure that you smile! It helps you create that in-person energy (and it's hard for someone to not smile back at you when you do).
Pro tip: For video interviews, look right into the camera instead of at the video image of your interviewer. That way you'll be creating eye contact on their side of the screen, which will in turn create a stronger connection and positive relationship with your interviewer.
Practice, practice, practice. Just like any other interview, you’ll want to prepare and practice for your interview in advance. And when practicing, you’ll want to practice for the format of interview you’re expecting; ask a friend or family member to role play with you over phone or Skype (which offers free video calling), or try recording your answers on your computer or smartphone. The more you do, the more comfortable and confident you’ll come across on interview day.
I hope this helps you feel prepared for your next virtual interview - good luck!