Tips to Succeed at Your Next Video Interview

Video conferencing or calls is now the norm for many of our daily, human interactions. It’s no surprise that companies have brought this trend into their recruiting process. Check out these tips from our recruiters before your next video interview.

Before the interview:

1. Download the video conferencing application that you will be using. Your interviewer should have sent it along beforehand. At Citizens, our virtual interviews are conducted on Microsoft Teams, and other companies may use platforms like WebEx, Skype, or Zoom. If you're in need of accessibility features for an interview, some platforms offer support. Check out the features offered by Teams here. Make sure you’ve downloaded the application and tested it beforehand so you’re not scrambling to set up when your interview time comes! 
2. Find a quiet, private, well-lit place where you won’t be interrupted. Lighting is important — try not to sit with a window to your back. Avoid coffee shops and other communal spaces. Think home offices, bedrooms or studies.
3. Ensure your internet connection is stable. We want those four full bars.
4. Check that your device’s audio and video are working.
5. Close unnecessary web browser tabs and applications. It will help keep the video quality top-notch.
6. Wear what you would to an in-person interview and prepare questions to ask.
7. Place your phone in silent mode.
8. Before your meeting starts, turn on your camera and see what part of your room shows up in the frame. Then, look at every item closely. Is it something you want the recruiter or hiring manager to see? If not, get it out of the frame or add a background filter from video conferencing software. 

Tip: Make sure to check that you're not double muted on both your computer and phone when it comes time to speak.

During the interview:

1. Relax and be yourself. Confidence in your abilities and your responses is key.
2. Once connected, ask your interviewer if they can hear you OK. Depending on your device, using headphones with a built-in microphone may work better than your device’s built-in microphone.
3. Listen and answer questions to the best of your ability. Nod and smile to show engagement and interest. Consider what feels natural to you.
4. Maintain good eye contact and body language. Look at your device’s webcam to maintain that same level of connection you would during an in-person conversation.
5. Remember to pause and pace yourself. Including a pause between sentences or thoughts can help reduce the use of filler words, and allow the listener time to comprehend your response or thought. 
6. Ask those great questions you prepared.
7. Thank the interviewer for taking time to meet with you. Ask about next steps to demonstrate your interest in continuing the process!
8. Once your interview wraps up, make sure you are fully disconnected from the web conference before you do anything else. Otherwise, an offhanded post-interview remark or gesture might get broadcasted to the interviewer. 

Now that you've got video-interviewing knowledge, explore open roles at Citizens and apply today! Some of our roles require a self-guided video interview assessment, or virtual job tryout, including questions, games or exercises that measure core competencies that matter for the role. Our job descriptions will mention if this step is required. Click here to learn more about what to expect, and how to best prepare. 

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