How Not To Mess Up Your Video Interview

Image credit: M.Cooper / Unsplash

Video interviews have been a key part of the hiring process since the COVID years, particularly in the earlier rounds of recruitment journey.

However, I’ve seen promising candidates fall at this early hurdle by failing to take a few simple things into consideration.

In hindsight, they’re obvious mistakes. But if you’re looking to secure a job, hindsight is nowhere near as helpful as foresight.

Fortunately, a little effort goes a long way.

That’s why I’ve written this guide, to help you avoid the most common pitfalls in video interviews.

(It's a bit of a long read, but absolutely worth it. Grab a coffee and a donut and jump on in.)

The key principle you must always keep in mind

A video interview is still an interview.

You must treat a video interview with the same seriousness and professionalism that you would take into an in-person meeting.

I'll say it again.

A video interview is still an interview.

The four key video interview pitfalls you must avoid

When candidates attend in-person interviews, they go the extra mile to present themselves in the best possible light. However, for video interviews, many candidates fail to do the same by overlooking key aspects of their video set up.

Here's what you need to look out for:

• Poor Lighting: Dim lighting can make you appear tired or disengaged. It goes without saying - you don't want to look tired or disengaged in an interview.

• Unprofessional Attire: As I said before, a video interview is still an interview. Not dressing properly or having messy hair tells the interviewer that you’re not serious about the process.

• Cluttered Background: A messy environment distracts from the story you are trying to tell and detracts from your professional credibility. Not good!

• Poor Framing: Using multiple screens is great for productivity, but that can mean that you’re sitting at 45 degrees to the camera. No one wants to talk to your side profile.

What you should do instead

Here are 5 things you should always do to present yourself in the best possible light:

1. Optimise Your Lighting – what do professional photographers know that the rest of us don’t? That good lighting is everything.

On video interviews, this means positioning yourself facing a natural light source so that the light falls across your face evenly. If natural light isn’t available, try to avoid unflattering shadows from overhead lights. An extra light can also be helpful to highlight your features – it doesn’t have to be a ring light, a simple desk lamp will do.

Experiment with your lighting well before your interview.

2. Dress the Part - You might be doing the interview from home, but it doesn’t mean that you should dress like you’re hanging out on the couch. Dress professionally. Ensure that your hair is styled. Make sure you look neat and presentable. It not only boosts your confidence, but shows that you respect the interview process.

3. Choose the Right Background - What type of background works best on a video interview? One that is clean, neutral, and doesn’t distract from you and what you have to say. A plain wall or tidy room works best. If a suitable background isn’t available, use a virtual background.

4. Frame Yourself Properly - Considering how many photos we all take every day, this one should be a no-brainer. But it’s one that people frequently get wrong. Position yourself so the camera is at eye level. Make sure that you face is at the centre of the frame. You don’t want to be too close or too far from the camera – a good rule of thumb is for the top of your shoulders to be visible in frame.

5.  Sit Properly - Body language matters just as much on a video call as it does in person. So, at the risk of sounding like your school teacher, sit with your back straight and your head up. And please, don’t slouch or hunch your shoulders.

6. Test Your Technology - First impressions matter, and you don’t want to spoil them by fumbling with your tech. Before the interview, test your internet connection, camera, and microphone. Ensure your device is fully charged or plugged in. And please, familiarise yourself with the video conferencing platform to avoid technical glitches during the interview.

Final Thoughts

A video interview is still an interview.

You need to treat it as such. By paying attention to the way you show up on camera, you demonstrate that you are a professional who takes the interview process seriously.

Remember, your CV may open the door, but your video interview performance can determine how far you go.

So, follow these tips and give yourself the best chance to ace the recruitment process.