Video interviews have been happening for years and since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become increasingly popular. In fact, most companies are asking for you to interview virtually. For people who have never had an interview via video chat before, it may seem a bit nerve-wracking. Below are a few video interview tips that will help you during your COVID-19 job search.

Ask About the Interview Platform

When accepting the interview, inquire about the platform. If it is something you have not used before, download it and get familiar with the interface. In the event the employer is using a platform you have used in the past, you should then add the point of contact to your contact list so you can get in touch easily.

Practice the Video Interview

Before your scheduled interview, set up a time where you can practice the video. Ask a colleague to help you and have them field a few questions to get a feel for the audio and video quality. This will also give you the chance to assess any potential technical difficulties and resolve them before the interview.

Set Up Your Interview Space

Several hours before your interview, take some time to set up your space. Get rid of anything that may distract your eyes. Remember, the interviewer will be able to see if you are looking at something other than the screen. It is also a good idea to leave your cell phone out of the room completely if possible.

Then be sure you get rid of anything that may distract the person interviewing you. For instance, if there is a large comical photo that hangs in your office at home you may want to consider taking it down for your interview. It is a good idea to have a clean, plain background. Make sure the lighting in the room is good too. You want the person interviewing you to be able to actually see you.

On the day of the interview, make sure you get rid of other physical distractions as well, such as pets and noisemakers. If you have children, consider getting them to a sitter that day. Keep your dogs and cats out of the room. If possible, try to ensure no gardening or lawn work is happening that day either.

Always Have a Backup Plan

After scheduling your video interview, confirm an additional method of contacting the business. Get a phone number, email address, or secondary video conference link where you can have the interview. Everyone understand technical difficulties, but showing some effort will make a good impression on your potential employer.

Follow Up

As always, after you have finished the interview, follow up with the potential employer. Ask any questions you may have thought of and thank them for their time. If your video call was interrupted or you had any unforeseeable issues, don’t worry about it. These things happen. Take the chance to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience in your follow up email.

If you are looking to interview for a job right now, consider enlisting the help of Staffing Resource Group. They can help put you in touch with employers looking for people like you as well as help prep you for any video or in-person interview.