In this riveting virtual world, video interviews have become the bread and butter for people seeking their next role. Let’s dive into a guide that will prepare you for video interviews with unparalleled flair, peppered liberally with that delightful spice called sarcasm.
Set the Stage for Success (No, Not That Kind of Stage)
Lights, Camera, Action! While you’re not auditioning for a Hollywood or Bollywood role, you’d better set the right stage. Find a well-lit, quiet space for your interview. And, oh, please make sure your background isn’t full of clutter or a poster gallery of your rock band days.
Dress to Impress (Above the Waist)
Dress smartly from the waist up – providing you’re prepared to stay glued to your chair. If you can remain seated, your interviewer need not know about the lucky neon green pyjama pants that make you feel invincible.
Tech Check: Where You Realize You’re Not a Tech Wizard
You don’t want to be that person who sounds like a robot or morphs into pixelated art during the interview. Test your platform (Zoom, Teams etc), the internet connection, camera, and microphone beforehand. If your tech skills are worse than your grandmothers, ask a tech-savvy friend for help. And don’t leave the test until the 5 minutes before show time.
Master the Art of Small Talk (Because Weather is Fascinating)
Some small talk is like the warm-up act before the main event. It is part of the welcome process in a face-to-face interview and is also important in a video interview. Discussing the weather in your location and theirs is easy. This is not to suggest you morph into an Angie Asimus or Tim Bailey and talk about isobars and hectopascals – that might suggest you are ‘under the weather’. It is just a brief icebreaker.
Elevator Pitch: Where You’re Definitely Looking for a ‘Lift’
Prepare a succinct elevator pitch introducing yourself, your background, and your achievements. You’ll sometimes get a chance either early or late in the interview to slip this in. Keep it concise, engaging, and void of any details about your collection of antique doorknobs or Pokémon card collection. Trust us, nobody’s interested.
Know Thy Company (It’s Not About Stalking)
Research the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, culture, recent achievements, and challenges. So much information is available online. Avoid asking questions like, “So, remind me what you guys are trying to do.” It won’t end well.
STAR Stories: Be a Hero Without a Cape
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer behavioural questions. Share anecdotes that showcase your problem-solving abilities. Just remember to leave out the story about how you were once named as the milk monitor in your primary school years. Unless, of course, you can spin it as a metaphor for your amazing leadership skills.
Anticipate Their ‘Tough’ Questions
Prepare for those mind-boggling questions (that amazingly still get asked) like “What’s your biggest weakness?” Craft answers that don’t involve imaginary flaws like “I’m too good at everything” or “I work too little.”
Questions to Ask Them
Have thought-provoking questions ready. Ask about their leadership style, the team’s dynamics, or the growth strategy. Avoid questions like “Can I bring my pet frog to work?” or, as I was once asked, “will the relocation support include transport for my horses?”
Body Language Matters (Even If You’re Not an Interpretive Dancer)
Have the camera positioned above you, not below and facing up into your nostrils. Maintain eye contact with the camera, not the interviewer’s face on the screen. Sit up straight and avoid fidgeting, even if your chair is conspiring to give you a lumbar massage. Remember, you’re not a contestant on a reality show.
Practice Makes Perfect (Or at Least Less Embarrassing)
Conduct a mock video interview with a friend. Review your performance, identify areas for improvement, and practice your responses. Injecting a touch of humour might make you feel less like a corporate drone.
Stay Cool Under Pressure
If technical glitches happen (and they will), remain calm. Have a backup plan ready, like a carrier pigeon or smoke signals. Don’t let tech issues turn you into a ventriloquist’s doll.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Approach each video interview with enthusiasm and confidence, even if you secretly feel like a toasted marshmallow. Smile, be genuine, and let your charm shine through.
Summary
In the universe of video interviews, preparation is your trusty sidekick. So, don your metaphorical capes, sharpen your wit, and conquer those video interviews with style, leaving your audience – er, interviewers – both impressed and amused!
