Larry Wilson, MSW, LSW | Social Worker, Career Counselor
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many job interviews are being conducted using a video format. These may involve live person-to-person interviews, or machine-driven interviews where you are prompted to answer a set of questions on camera without the presence of a live interviewer. There may also be games or other tests included for assessment purposes.
There are many interview guidelines that do not change under these circumstances. These include the need to research the hiring organization, preparing for questions you are likely to be asked, preparing your own questions to ask, appropriate dress and grooming, and follow-up.
There are also some considerations in preparing for a video interview that are very much under your control. They include:
Whether you are using a phone, tablet or laptop, use books, a stand or other means to elevate the camera to your eye level, so that you can look straight into in, not down at it. No one wants to look up your nostrils!
Pick a chair to sit in that does not allow you to lean back or slouch. In other words, do not sit on a recliner or in a padded chair you can settle back into.
Remember, you can use all the notes you want as long as they are off camera. So write prompts like “Smile”, “Show enthusiasm”, or reminders of the questions you want to ask, and position them where you can see them.
Prepare by going through some answers to likely questions with a friend over a video link. This can be done using Zoom, Facebook, Google or other platforms that allow two-way video conversations. Get your friend’s feedback on all aspects of the experience – including camera angle, lighting, background, and where your focus is.
During this run-through, practice looking at the camera rather than the face of the other person on your screen.
With respect to your lighting -- you don’t want a major light source such as a window or bright lamp behind you. Rather, any lighting should be shining on you from the front or sides. Diffuse lighting such as from an overhead fixture may work. Portable lamps set up to shine on you from an angle can also work well. You want lighting that looks as natural as possible, and does not distract you or the interviewer.
There are some other preparations that may be more challenging if you live in a small space and/or share that space with family, roommates and/or pets. Let’s go through a few of these.
It is generally recommended that you pick a place for your interview where there is a neutral background. If you watch celebrity or expert interviews on TV, there is often a bookcase or a comfortable, uncluttered area behind the interviewee. In a small space, this may be difficult to accomplish. Wherever you decide to set up, tidy up your background to the extent possible. You want to remove bright colors that will clash with your image in the interview. A neutral colored space dividing screen could provide a good background. A tri-fold display board like you see in a high school science fair, but blank, could also provide a background. You can find these for as little as $10 at office supply stores.
If you have a choice between devices to perform the interview on, choose the one with a better camera. This may be your phone if it is much newer than your tablet or laptop. If you use your phone, you will want to secure it on a shelf, selfie stick or a pile of books to assure it is at eye level.
The quality of your Internet connection is important. Whether you will be relying on a cellular signal or Wi-Fi, try to position yourself in an area of your home where the reception is the best. Before the interview time, if you do have Wi-Fi, ask other family members or roommates to stop streaming or performing other high bandwidth activities during your scheduled interview time. Also, if you’re doing a two-way video interview, make sure the interviewer has your cell number so they can call you if the connection is lost. If the interview is one-way and can be scheduled at your convenience, choose a time when connection use is minimal and you can get the best connection.
Interruptions are never ideal when you are doing an interview, whether one-way or live. Do what you can to minimize them by arranging for as much privacy as possible at the time you do the interview. This being said, interruptions may be unavoidable. If you are interrupted during an interview by a family member, roommate or pet, it is important that you handle the interaction professionally and as promptly as possible. Being patient but firm, not losing your composure, and then apologizing briefly for the interruption are important. While interviewers would appreciate an uninterrupted interaction, you can show a lot about yourself by how you handle an interruption should it occur.
As with interruptions, it is desirable that you have minimal avoidable background noise during your interview time. You should ask family members or roommates, if they must be present in your home during the interview time, to be as quiet as possible. If there are noises from children playing or arguing, or from roommates, do your best to ignore them and carry on. Only under extreme circumstances should you interrupt the interview to address the activity causing the noise. If you must do so, maintain your composure, do what you must, and briefly apologize when you return. NOTE: unavoidable traffic noise, emergency vehicles, wind or weather, can happen and should not be a source of concern unless there is an immediate danger.
It is easy to forget, with all these conditions and caveats, that two of the most important things an interviewer is looking for are energy and enthusiasm! Whatever your surroundings and whatever unexpected challenges you may face during your interview time, do your best to continue to project your enthusiasm for the job opportunity, and keep energy behind your voice!