From social hours, to online workshops, 1:1’s with your boss and of course, job interviews.If you weren’t in the know before this world pandemic hit, now you know. Video Conferencing is taking over!

Organizations are choosing video conferencing for a number of reasons. It allows screen sharing for presentations, builds connection through face to face interaction and it gives the interviewer perspective on how they can expect to see you show up at work each day.

How you do one thing, is how you do everything.

If you haven’t interviewed in a while, it’s safe to say the next time you do, you’ll be on video at some point.

Here are 3 must do’s in your next video interview:

1. Turn your video on.

Often when a video conferencing call is setup there are two options; a video or a call in. If you are sent a video conferencing link, take the interview by video. They want to see your face, your reactions and body language. The interviewer has been intentional, otherwise, they would have just asked for your number.

2. Location. Location. Location.

Take the interview from a quiet, distraction free place. If you’re employed and interviewing it can be challenging to setup a time to interview during your work day. You may feel nervous about requesting a different time slot or think, maybe I can hide in the 3rd floor washroom and take it there? No no no, please don’t.I would rather you request to move your interview to another day and time than take the call from the front seat of your car, on your phone, in the middle of a thunderstorm, with poor wifi connection. True story.

3. Know the Rules of Engagement.

Surprise, not a surprise! It’s the same as an in person interview.

• Dress the part. Research the company in advance and dress in line with the organization’s culture.
• If you’re on-time, you’re late. Login early to double check your connection, audio and lighting.
• Make eye contact. Look into the camera as much as possible to mimic making eye contact. It might feel slightly uncomfortable and take some getting use to. Adjust your video window to sit close to your camera so that your eyes naturally gaze ahead.

One last thought on video job interviews…breathe. Oh, and have a sneaky cheatsheet beside you. After all, no one’s watching.

---

For more ideas on preparing for your next job interview follow me on Instagram @owntheinterview or sign up HERE and your email will be automatically added to the bi-weekly newsletter.