Preparing for a video interview

Download the right technology and apps

You will need to have the right technology. When you talk to the potential employer, ask what app they use for video interviews so you can download and explore it ahead of time. Apps like Skype and Zoom are the most popular as they are easy to use. You also want to make sure your computer is fast enough to handle a video interview so there are no lags or delays.

Be sure to try the app

You may be a tech-savvy person, but testing is crucial. Testing the app involves making sure your camera is working properly, ensuring you can connect to the app, and determining if there are any streaming issues. You don’t want to have trouble navigating through the application during the interview, so testing well in advance will make the process go smoothly.

Professional Resume Services is here to help executives build their executive profile, LinkedIn profile, resume, or anything else related to their job search. We can also provide helpful tips during the interview process to help improve your chances of getting the job. Feel free to contact us at any time to learn more about how our services can benefit you.

Take a test with a friend

Just as you take a test to prepare for a face-to-face interview, you should take a test for a video interview. You may have shared your executive profile with a family member or friend to correct it, and now you can use it again to practice for a video interview. What you should look for are camera angles, lighting, and whether or not there is a lag in communication. Even a one-second delay can make it seem like you’re interrupting the interviewer, so you don’t want that to be a problem.

presentation matters

You may think that a video interview is not that “professional” and that your appearance is not that important. You would be wrong. Your LinkedIn profile should have a professional headshot, and it should also match the professionalism in your video interview. Just because you’re interviewing from home doesn’t mean you need to dress casual. It’s tempting to wear shorts and just a nice shirt, since interviewers will only see your upper body. However, if you have to get up for whatever reason, the embarrassment of not wearing dress pants can be devastating.

Get rid of potential distractions

Lastly, look around the space where the interview will take place. What items could be a distraction? Is there a clock that makes a sound at the end of each hour? What about any clutter in the background? This may all seem normal to you since you live with them, but it can create huge distractions during a video interview. Follow the advice of the best professional resume writers and make the room you’re interviewing in look like a professional setting, as much as possible.