Video Interview Guide: Tips for a Successful Placement Interview

Video Interview Guide: Tips for a Successful Placement Interview
Video Interview Guide: Tips for a Successful Placement Interview

Introduction

The video interview has become a more frequent part of the recruiting process as a result of COVID-19’s influence and recent demands for social distancing. The way we work and compete for jobs is changing dramatically and so is the recruiting process.

In this blog let me walk you through the types of video interviews and some tips to enhance your preparation and boost your confidence level.

What is a Video Interview?

Video interviews are defined as remote hiring interviews that are conducted using video technology. These interviews are normally conducted in the early stages of the recruiting process or in cases where daily interviews couldn’t be performed. Let’s see some of the reasons for the rising popularity of video interviews.


  • Reduce travel costs and recruiting time.
  • Reach out to people in different parts of the country.
  • Reduce the number of candidates who fail to turn up for interviews.
  • Allow for after-hours interviews.
  • Remove the stressors that come with in-person interviews.

Next, we move to the different types of video interviews.

Types of Video Interview

Depending on the location of the video interview it can be either an in-office or remote video interview. 

1. In-office video interviews

Some video interviews will take place in the office of your future employer. If you are having an interview with someone from the organisation who is based in another city, this might happen. The best practices for this kind of video interview are planning ahead of time, dressing appropriately, arriving early, and being respectful of anyone you meet.

When you arrive at the office, you’ll usually be directed to a room with all of the necessary equipment for your video interview. Before they leave, ask the person who brought you to the room to assist you in setting up the interview and ensuring that everything is in working order. You should also inquire as to how you can locate them if your audio or video link fails at some point.

Remote video interviews are more common than in-office ones. Let’s analyse the features of remote video interviews in detail.

Video interviews plays a very important part in IBM Assessment Test & Hiring Process 2021

2. Remote Video Interview

Remote video interviews are conducted outside of the prospective employer’s workplace. You’ll need to find a quiet place with a decent internet connection and a computer or laptop with a webcam in this situation. You would require:

  • An internet connection with a minimum bandwidth of 1 megabit per second.
  • A camera on a laptop or desktop computer. A tablet or smartphone may also be an option in some cases.
  • Headphones with a built-in or separate microphone.
  • A place that is quiet, private, and well-lit, where you will not be disturbed by other people, pets, or noises. Place your webcam in front of a neutral backdrop with no distracting elements.

Let’s look at a few tips to ace your video interview.

What to wear for a Video Interview?

  • Dress professionally for your video interview, just as you would for an in-person interview.
  • Do some research on the company’s community to get a sense of what’s acceptable. 
  • Avoid bold colours and patterns if you want to look your best on video. 

During an interview, your body language plays an equally important role in what you say. Here are few tips to maintain body language that would leave the best possible impression on the interviewer.

Body Language during a Video Interview

During an in-person interview, efficient communication is crucial, and you want to express the same degree of communication during a video interview. Let’s see how to do it: 

1. Maintain Eye Contact

When answering a question, resist the urge to look directly at your interviewer on the screen. Instead, you can aim your eyes at the webcam while speaking. Your eyes would be more likely to sync with the interviewer if you do this. Look back into the screen while listening.

There’s a fine line between making eye contact and an intense stare. At first, webcam eye contact may feel uncomfortable, and many people react by overcompensating. Simply relax and carry on as normal.

2. Optimise your posture

The interviewer would almost certainly not be able to see your lower body or legs on video. As a result, you won’t have to be concerned with leg positioning. It should be perfect if you take a comfortable neutral posture in your chair with both feet on the ground. Make sure you’re not sitting too low or too high in the picture by adjusting your chair.

Now that you know how to perform in an interview it’s important to practice and improve your skills.

Study this checklist as you prepare for your interview on the day of the interview:

  • Make sure you won’t be disturbed.
  • Remove all clutter from your desk except a notepad and a pen/pencil for taking notes.
  • Prepare a copy of your resume as well as any other notes you may need to refer to.
  • Have a glance through your resume, projects and internships.
  • Ensure that your webcam is operational.
  • Ensure that your audio is working.
  • Activate the silent mode on your screen.

Pros of Video Interview

1. Reduced pressure on candidates

Video interviews give the candidate a better-relaxed mind. They can be at the comfort of their homes and this will let them focus more on the questions.

2. Saves time

In the real world, an interviewer would be interviewing dozens of candidates and it is common for them to forget about certain candidates’ performance. Video interviews give a solution to this. The interviewer can save and bookmark interviews and revisit them if needed. This ensures that the eligible candidates are not lost in the crowd. 

3. Lower expenses

By making use of video interviews a significant amount of cost can be saved. Candidates need not worry about travelling expenses, food etc as they are in the comfort of their homes. The interviewing company also can cut costs as they need not reserve spots where they have to do the interview process.

4. Go beyond geographical barriers

If a company wishes to hire someone from other parts of the same country or even from other countries, video interviews are a great boon for that. Video interviews open new doors for recruiting candidates from other countries.

Cons of Video Interview

1. Internet connection issues

Many candidates may not have access to a proper internet connection. This can lead to breaks in audio, poor video etc all of which can affect the interview.

2. Time slot issues

The time duration and slots assigned for a candidate may be short and having technical issues can take away the precious little time available to the candidate. 

3. Lack of proper tech gear

Some technical requirements of video interviews include fast internet, quality webcam, good quality mic etc. Those candidates who do not have these resources may struggle to get the interview running smoothly.

Current Rise in Video Interviews

  • A recruiting firm Walters People says that the number of businesses using video interviews to employ employees has increased by 67% due to concerns about the coronavirus. 
  • Candidates were enthusiastic about the concept as well, with a 150% rise in the number of candidates who wanted to include a video in their CV. 

Mogul, Fitbit, Novuhealth, Raspberry Pi Foundation etc are some of the 2500+ companies which are hiring remotely in 2021.        

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a video interview?

Video interviews are remote hiring interviews that are conducted using video technology.

What kind of questions are asked in a video interview?

Video Interview questions include the typical common interview questions and industry-relevant questions. You may be asked to say more about yourself, explain your most recent job, discuss your weaknesses and strengths, and so on. Industry-relevant questions are those that are specific to the job you’re applying for. You can practice company-specific coding interview questions on CodeStudio.

How do you prepare for a video interview?

You can prepare for a video interview by following all the above-mentioned steps. Also, check the Coding Ninjas interview questions for an edge over others.

Is video interview a good sign?

Selecting you for a video interview may indicate that the prospective employer is interested in you and would like to dig a little deeper into your skills.

Where do you look during a video interview?

Aim your eyes directly at the webcam while speaking and look back into the screen while listening.

What should you not do in a video interview?

1. Don’t act too casual or show a lack of interest in a video interview.
2. Don’t look flashy on the screen.
3. Don’t trust your technology too much. Always have a backup plan.

Key Takeaways

Keeping in mind the present covid situations and the rapid digitalisation in every walks of life video interviews are going to be the next big game in a recruitment process. Some of the most basic requirements for a video interview are a high-speed internet connection, laptop, or computer with a webcam, headphones, and a quiet clutter-free space.

Don’t forget to maintain a steady and comfortable posture along with proper eye contact. Be it a remote video interview or an in-office video interview these factors play a key role in determining your success. So follow these tips and ace your next video interview. All the best.

Ranjul Arumadi

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