Why Are Video Interviews Being Used?
In 2015, a survey found that more than 75% of surveyed companies are using video interviews as a way of vetting their candidates. Unlike phone interviews that only allow employers to only examine a candidate’s verbal language, a video interview allows for non-verbal language to be evaluated as well. Video interviews still cannot fully replace an in-person interview, but it is less of a hassle and cheaper for companies. This allows them to be able to reach more applicants. Given the increase in popularity of video interviews and arguably the more competitive nature of it, it is important to master it.
What Are the Types of Video Interviews?
There are generally two types of video interviewing. The first one is usually known as a ‘Live Video Interview’, or otherwise known as Skype interviews. The company will either send you a video-conferencing link or ask your Skype ID. During the day and time your interview is scheduled for, they will be contacting you through that. It is important to make sure that your Skype, or any other video chat platform, ID is appropriate and professional. Another common type of video interviewing is known as the ‘Pre-recorded/Asynchronous Video Questions’. In this type, you will be given a link to a page where you can record answers to pre-selected interview questions. You are usually given a certain amount of time to answer, and may also get 1 or 2 tries before having to submit the response.
Tips for Conquering your Video Interview:
- Maintain good eye contact throughout your interview. Whether you are doing a live video interview or pre-recorded one, it is important to maintain eye contact. Maintaining eye contact is slightly harder during video conferencing than it is in real life. We have a natural instinct of focusing on the face of the conversation partner (or the reflection of ourselves when we record ourselves). This usually draws our eyes away from the actual webcam, and thus causes us to seem as though we are looking down or away. To avoid this, move the window so that the interviewee (or yourself) is right below the webcam. This produces the closest approximation to real human eye contact.
- Optimize your posture and positioning. Remember to sit uptight with your back straight. When facing the camera, try not to show too much of the side angle. Sometimes, crossing your legs will cause you to do that. It is best recommended to sit with both your feet flat on the ground.
- Chose a high-definition webcam. Having a high-resolution webcam is important for video conferencing. Generally, the webcam in a MacBook is high enough quality. However, having an external webcam can come with other benefits, aside from the quality (to be discussed below). There are places on campus that allows students to rent out a room for a video conferencing. For example, there are some within the ILR School, the Engineering Careers Services, Barnes Hall, and Mann Library. Make sure to reserve a room as soon as you get scheduled for a video interview. Those rooms usually come with a computer and an external webcam.
- Position your webcam to best flatter you. The webcam should be positioned so that it is slightly above the eye–line, and pointed slightly downward. This could be easily adjusted with an external webcam. If your webcam is on your laptop, simply elevate your laptop using books or a box.
- Ensure good lightning. Avoid conducting a video interview in which the light is coming directly behind you. Instead, you want the light to be coming from in front of you and facing you. You can arrange good lighting by placing two lamps on either side of your desk, with the light source ideally at the height of the webcam, or a little higher.
- Have a neutral background behind of you. Avoid conducting a video interview where the background is not neutral. That is, don’t have a video interview in your dorm room, with your roommate in the back, a mirror in the back, or anything ‘distracting’. If you cannot control your background, use a solid curtain. It is also recommended that you have 2 feet of distance between you and the background.
- Dress for Success that will not draw too much attention away from what you’re saying. You want to dress in a way that not only looks professional, but also will not draw too much attention away from your face and what you are saying. Avoid wearing clothing of contrasting colors and white shirts, blouses or jackets. These clothing will either be too bright or simply distracting. Instead, try wearing solid colors and avoid things with busy patterns. It is recommended to wear soft, solid colors, such as dark blue. If you wear glasses and have contacts, the contacts are recommended to avoid the glare produced by the glasses.
Given the increase popularity of video interviews, do not be surprise next time your interview is done over the internet. Since it is likely that the company will be able to interview even more applicants, the job process will be even more competitive. The most important thing is to keep these tips in mind and to practice Good luck!
Sources:
– https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/use-video-recruiting-grow.aspx
-https://biginterview.com/blog/2014/11/video-interview.html