How to navigate video interviews, by a leading interview coach

Preparing for a virtual interview

We may be several years past the pandemic in 2024, but job seekers will still find that employers use video or virtual interviews for at least part of the hiring process. This is not simply because many interviewers now spend at least some time working remotely, but also because employers need to be confident that you present well on video to their own clients.

Please read on for my top tips on preparing for a virtual interview.

1 - Your user name and profile picture

Please, please, please make sure your user name and profile picture create the right impression! This is so easily overlooked, especially if you rarely use Zoom or Teams on your personal devices. Your profile photo should be a smiling head and shoulders shot of you wearing business attire, perhaps using the same picture you have on your LinkedIn profile.

You also need to check that your user name is professional. Nicknames or social media handles are not going to present the right image. Equally well, it is important that the name matches your CV as otherwise this can cause confusion.

2 - Dress code

I suggest you dress as you would for a face-to-face interview. Whilst a potential employer will recognise that you are probably not actually in the office, don't forget that they will be evaluating you as someone who will be meeting their clients if they hire you. I would tend to overdress, rather than underdress to be on the safe side.

3 - Location

This may well be the most important point of all. Avoid any unprofessional or distracting background, such as a pile of laundry or an excessively messy room. If you are going to use a virtual background, please choose something plain and simple, nothing which is distracting. It is never acceptable to be anywhere in public for an interview, so popping out of the office to sit in the next door hotel reception is a non starter.

Please also consider background noise. Assuming you are not in a public place (see above!), then be mindful of ambient sound. If you are at home, then beware of noisy children, dogs and don't forget to mute music or phones. Finally, make sure you won't be interrupted.

4 - Technology

It is always worth checking that your tech works well before the call. Make sure your webcam and microphone are connected and switched on to prevent the 'you're on mute' start to the call! Also, remember to charge your device in advance.

5 - Body language

Act as if you’re in the interviewer's office. Make eye contact, looking directly into the camera most of the time, not at the screen or the picture screen of yourself. Good posture is important; sit up straight and try not to slouch or fidget.

6 - Be prepared

Prepare for a virtual interview as you would for an in person meeting. I have written more extensively on this topic before and you can find my blog here:

https://www.mercurycoaching.co.uk/post/how-to-achieve-interview-success

7 - Cheat (but only in a video interview)

Assuming that you have prepared answers for the most common interview questions, then a virtual interview does give you the opportunity to have these answers to hand. I personally love post-it notes as I can stick them to the outside of my screen and then I don't have to look down to find the prompts or answers I need. Of course, if you subsequently have an actual meeting, then you are going to have to learn these but a little bit of soft cheating is just being smart in this instance!

Conclusion

I hope you have found this brief summary helpful - if nothing else it is probably a good dose of common sense for interviewees.

If you would welcome some personal career support and advice, please call Mercury Coaching on +44 (0) 20 3633 1549 or email me directly on tim@mercurycoaching.co.uk