Now is a Perfect Time To Polish Your Video Interviewing Skills

With businesses around the world grinding to a halt due to Covid-19, things are quite uncertain for all of us.  Many of us are suddenly laid off, working from home or dealing with the specter of the virus affecting us and our loved ones.  With many of us sheltering in place, we are experiencing personal and professional disruptions and upheaval.  The recruiting business has definitely been affected by this shut down.  I'm seeing positions getting filled with start dates several weeks off, people putting off their job search to care for their families, and new positions being put on hold for the short term.

But many positions are essential, and require people to continue along the recruitment process. Companies have terminated any non-essential business travel and many are not having people come in for interviews.  If positions need to get filled but you can't interview in person, this is time to perfect your video interviewing skills.

Video conferencing has come a long way in the last few years.  Colleges in California are now planning to offer all of their next classes via Zoom, Google Classroom, or other video platforms.  Many clients use Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype or FaceTime to do video interviews.  Here are some pointers to be ready to sign on to the video interview and be camera ready.

Get the video conferencing application:  When scheduling your video interview, find out what platform the interview is going to be using and download that application onto your computer, tablet or smart phone.

Determine the right tool to use:  Think about which device is the best one to use for an interview.  If your desktop computer is located in a busy kitchen, you may not have the privacy you need during the interview.  If you are going to use your phone or tablet for the interview, prop it up somewhere that gives you good light and privacy.  Don't plan to just holding your phone up for 30 minutes or more.  As you grow fatigued, you'll drop the phone down, not thinking about it.

Check your set-up:  Before you start your interview, do a dry run with a friend.  Try to have him call you through the video interview application, and critique your audio volume, your visual presentation and possibly your interview outfit!

Minimize distractions:  When you are gearing up for your video, get yourself in a quiet spot without distractions.  Your friendly feline may just try to steal the show by jumping in front of the camera.  She may have to be put in your laundry room for this call.  That puppy dog may just have to be outside your room during the call.  Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and possibly turn off any alerts that may pop up on your device.   If you are working from home with family there with you, alert them to your impending video interview, ask for their help in minimizing distractions, and if at all possible, lock the door to your interview spot.  I go even further, and post a sign that I'm on a video interview and to not disturb.

Ready for your close-up:  Now you need to think about what the camera will see during the interview.  Dress for an interview.  Remember that simplicity often is the best plan for your outfit.  A simple blazer or button down shirt almost always projects the image you want for a professional interview.  Note:  Avoid prints, including stripes.  On video interviews the visual elements may not be as sharp as they are in person.  Prints, especially optic prints can read really poorly on a video interview.  Small pinstripes on a shirt or blouse can do the same thing.  They can attract the eye of your interviewer, and distract them during the interview.  Keep it simple.  Simple business clothes, minimal accessories, good grooming and a welcoming smile can be all you need.

Pay attention to your surroundings:  When you prep for your video interview, look at what the camera will capture in your interview.  If you can tidy up your background, do it.  If you can switch your camera's location to something that has a very subtle background, do it.  Also look at the camera angle.  If you have your computer set up to shoot up, is the camera going to be focusing on that lazily turning ceiling fan?  Is it going to be shooting straight up your nostrils?  If the angle is bad, fix it.

Lighting:  To put your best face forward, have some light on besides just the glow of your device.  Having a small lamp directly next to your device that casts warm light on your face is helpful.  While it is nice to have a ray of sunshine brighten your day, it can wreak havoc if it hits the camera or casts strange patterns on you or your surroundings.  Keep that in mind when planning your call, and remember sunlight shifts during the day.  You may want to see how the light is at your interview spot before you have the call.

Have what you need within reach:  This is an interview.  Have your resume, the job description and anything else that would be helpful at your interview spot in advance of the call.  For me, seasonal allergies are kicking in right now, causing my throat to dry out.  This is the worst thing to have happen during a video call.  Having water, coffee, tea, etc. at the ready, as well as a cough lozenge is a must have for me.  A box of tissues can also be good in case you need to sneeze (or if sweat is beading up on your brow due to interview nerves).



Be ready:  Once you have gotten yourself ready for the call, be ready to start the interview at the time scheduled.  Don't be late.  Be at your interview spot 10-15 minutes early.  Just think of all the time you saved by not having to travel to the interview.

Technical difficulties happen:  This may be the first time your interviewer is trying a video interview.  Understand if things take longer to get started, if there are interruptions, or if you need to reschedule the call.  If all else fails, often video interviews revert to phone interviews to make the best use of your time together.  Roll with the punches, and be understanding that everyone is trying their best in this situation.

Don't forget you are on camera:  When you are normally sitting in front of your computer, you may gaze around the screen, click on notifications, close screens, etc.  When you are on a video interview, it is very easy to forget that you are on camera.  You may start scratching your head, rolling your eyes or get a glazed look on your face.  Don't do this!  You need to remember you are conducting an interview, and make sure you stay engaged during it.

End the call:  With video interviews, you don't have the same social cues that you'd have if it was in-person.  Your interviewer won't reach out to shake your hand or touch your elbow.  Your interviewer probably won't stand up to leave the interview room.  The interviewer should signal that the interview is concluded, and then disconnect the video call.  This time can be a bit awkward, but just sit still and let the video disconnect.  Then as a safety measure, I put a cover on my camera and avoid saying anything until I'm sure the call is over.

And for some levity, here's a cute meme I saw yesterday

Related Skype Articles to Read

After posting my survival guide to Skype interviews, I thought these other articles might be helpful for my readers.  Take a look at these tips:

How to Handle a Job Interview Over Skype

Seeking Work? Ready Your Webcam

A Good Impression on Skype

WineTalent's Skype Interview Survival Guide (For Interviewers and Interviewees)

Over the years I've conducted a lot of video interviews over Skype.  The technology is relatively easy to use, free unless you want a subscription or wish to use skype for calling, and has improved dramatically over the last few years.

Now, if you are a casual Skype user, you probably know how to use it, make video calls and send messages.  This user guide can come in handy for you and might allow you to catch yourself in some bad habits.  For first time users I hope I can address all the steps and also give you some pointers to make the video call more comfortable and useful.

So, to set up an account, go to www.skype.com and download the software if you don't have it on my computer or tablet already.  Once you download the software you will need to set up an account.  Your account name will be the name people use to find you on Skype.  Since there are not a lot of people with the name of WineTalent, I was able to secure that account name.  You will want to add your name, email and phone number for people in case they need to reach you when not on Skype.

Once you have your account name, you will go to your contacts section and find people you are going to Skype with.  If you are using Windows 8, it is a bit hard to find the contacts, so click on People, and then right click on the screen and you can search for Skype users to find them.  When you have found your video interview contact, send them a contacts request to establish a connection.  The default setting is to have yourself always online.  I don't use Skype consistently enough, so I take myself offline when I'm not planning to be using it.

When you set up your Skype account the software will walk you through setting up your audio and video equipment.  It is very user friendly, and quick to do.  This test set-up also let's you see the camera angle and the audio quality, so play around with it until the video setting looks good.

In the past it was best to have a hardwired internet connection--but the last few video calls I have done completely wireless and the quality was very good.  Do a test run to see how the call quality is--and if you have to plug into your wireless router to improve the transmission.

Now, I think you should try to have a good backdrop when you skype.  As I type this I am staring at my computer screen, looking at my desk.  I've got all my desk accessories, my files and all those things a real desk has.  But when someone will be seeing me through this computer, the view is completely different.  For this reason, when I plan to do a skype call I take the background into consideration.  And with that, I put my computer on my credenza so it is shooting the video into my desk for a backdrop.










Too often when people set up their Skype picture they are either shooting up at the ceiling (with ceiling fan turning, turning, turning during the call)
Or with a big blank wall and too close

Then there is the lighting.  Put on all the lights you can that will hit you from the front instead of behind you (can get quite ghostly--hopefully that's not the look you are going for)

Then, think about how you look. Do you really want to look like you are working from home, or that you happened to stop in to this video conference from your other highly important meetings.

So, now you are dolled up in your blazer, your hair's combed and you have all the lights on in your office. 

Make the call

First, I like to send a message to my interviewee about 10 minutes prior to saying that I will be calling him at our prearranged time.  That let's him know I am getting ready, and that he should be doing likewise. I also say that it will be a video call so he is prepared.  Then close the office door, silence any phones or other electronics and place the video call to him at the correct time.  

As soon as you are hooked up by video, you are "on stage" so remember that.  Don't be messing around with things behind your computer, moving a bunch of papers around or forgetting the camera is on.  I'm not a pro at where to look, so I just look at the person's picture as if I'm talking to him.  My point of focus might be off, but it's better than having your eyes dart all over the screen.  

WineTalent's Skype Pointers 

1.  Don't make jokes.  I have to remember this because I tend to make jokes at the beginning of interviews to break the ice.  On a video call, sometimes there is a bit of a time lag, and so when the other person is responding to the joke you may have moved on to a new topic, making the response really awkward.  Remember this, no jokes.

2.  What am I looking at:  If I'm going to be having his resume on the screen besides the video call, I tell him.  That way he understands why my attention might drift to a different part of the screen.  

3.  What I'm doing:  If I'm planning to take notes while conducting the call, I tell him that too.  I often have my tablet on my desk below the camera, so this could look odd if he didn't know I was taking notes.

4.  Don't forget that you are on stage:  Remember that you are on a video call and not just sitting in front of your computer.  This might seem like a strange idea, but too often when you are skyping you revert back to thinking you are just sitting in front of your computer.  Wiping your eyes, scratching your head, yawning...These are all things we do when we sit in front of our desk, but if we were really in an interview we would most likely not do.  Remember you are on camera, behave appropriately.

5.  Experiencing Technical Difficulties:  If there are any technical problems, you can send a skype message, call the person on his phone, or drop the call and retry.  If the quality of the skype call is bad I often abandon the video interview and switch to a phone interview.  You have the time blocked out, use it wisely.  

6.  Ending the Video Call:  When you are done with the call, thank the other person and let him know you are ending the call.  You'll have to hit the end call button, which always is a bit awkward, but it has to be done.  I often send a quick message afterwards thanking the other participant for the video call.