How to Be Successful in a Video Interview

Posted on: 19th July 2021

Job Interview Preparation

Ever wondered why you are being invited to a job interview and not making it after the first, second or third stages? It is true that most companies have different reasons for recruiting in a particular role. However, if you are called for an interview, the employer already thinks you are a good fit for that role.

It is now up to you to use that opportunity to sell yourself and tell them why you are the best person for the job. A good start would be to practice and answer your interview questions well, making a strong impression. Recently, trying to impress interviewers over zoom meetings has doubled the stress of selling yourself. I have curated some dos and don’ts in an interview which will help you do better.

Pointers to keep in mind why participating in a video interview

DOs

• Be prepared 

  This cannot be overemphasised! Conducting research on the company will help you to align your answers to the values of the company. You will also be able to generate your questions from what you know about the company.
   

• Always ask questions

  Recruiters and Hiring Managers like it when candidates ask questions because it gives them the confidence that the candidate is interested in the company. It is also important to ask constructive questions to leave an impression in their minds.

  Example of a question you can ask your interviewer is, ”can you walk me through a typical day in the life of this role?” Here’s a list of 10 questions that you can ask an interviewer during your interview process.
   

• Set up properly

  Even though most interviews are currently being conducted remotely, it is still important to remember that the first impression matters. The way you dress is also important.  Companies have their preferred dress codes, research that, and dress the part. This would help you feel more  comfortable when your interviewers appear on screen with a dress code that is not different from yours. 

  Few other things you should also be checking are: 

  - Your internet connection 

  - Your laptop/phone’s battery levels 

  - Ensure that your space is clean and free from distraction 

  Imagine being confident that your internet and system is well set up, only for it to develop issues a few seconds before your interview!  We would recommend conducting a trial interview with your recruiter or friends, just to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
   

• Practice

  Practice makes perfection. Look for frequently asked questions  for the roles that you are applying for. A good way to do this is to check for interview reviews online.

  I would look for questions that relate to my role, for example: frequently asked questions about data centre technicians' jobs . Knowing the questions will help you to prepare answers that fit the role you are applying for. 

  Prepare for questions like; Why do you want to work with us? Tell us about yourself? What are your main responsibilities in your current role? You will also be asked questions to assess your personality for culture fit. 
   

• Use STAR Method

  This is universally used by a lot of companies in their recruitment process. The STAR interview method helps give your answers a good structure and helps the interviewer understand your actual capabilities, skills, thought process and results.  It also helps you tailor your answers in a practical and concise way, which entails the Situation, Task, Action and Result. 

  Another way to develop structured answers to your behavioural questions is the SARA method. This method involves the Situation, Action, Result and Application. The ‘Application’ refers to what you learned from the experience and how you applied that to your future work. 

  You can use any of the two methods that you want. Interviewers  are focused on getting detailed and structured responses and they will help you.

DON'Ts

• Say nothing 

  When you are asked a question about anything, saying you do not know or saying nothing reduces your chances of getting the job. When interviewers ask a question, they are looking for your stance on a topic. So, saying nothing could, for instance, give them the impression that you're not great at decision making, which would mean you're not a good fit.

  For example, if you are asked about your weaknesses, do not shy away from being honest. Once you state a few points, you can quickly revert to how your strengths overshadow them, rather than saying you have no weaknesses.
   

• Get too familiar

  Sometimes the interviewers  might be so friendly that candidates would forget that everything they say and do is being assessed. When you  get too relaxed, it might make you say things that can be considered unprofessional, and this will not give the employers a good impression about you.

  For example, being too relaxed might make you use a curse word accidentally or make you say something that could be considered a racial slur. So no matter how friendly the interviewer gets, be guarded with your response.
   

• Speak negatively about your previous/current employer

  You must have heard about this a lot, but it is important to always remember it. Companies are looking for staff who they can depend on to spread their good word. When an interviewer hears you talking about your current employer negatively, it means that you could potentially  also say bad things about them too if they employ you.
   

• Be late

  Since most interviews are being conducted  online at this moment, it is even more intolerable to show up late for your interview. That is why proper check-ups and preparations prior to the interview is important to avoid some minor occurrence. 

  Sometimes the internet does not prepare us for what happens, that is tolerable. But issues like low battery or faulty camera can be avoided if there is preparation. In the instance that you have some unavoidable issues, make sure to send in a message or an email to the interviewer informing them about your circumstances. 
   

• Ramble

  I know a lot of people get nervous and start to ramble, like myself. I find myself talking too much sometimes in an interview and this is not appreciated by the interviewer  because they are very time conscious.

  That is why, I practise the answers to most frequently asked questions before the interview. This helped me to relax and present concise and straight to the point answers.

Interviews can be really stressful, but they are the main gate to give you access to your dream company. Doing the right things properly would give your interviewers a good impression about you. I hope these pointers help you out to succeed in your next video interview.

If you're looking for a job currently browse through our jobs page or if you're looking for more insight regarding IT careers head over to our insights page. 

I am currently recruiting some Data Centre Operatives for one of our multinational clients here in Dublin. If you are interested in this role and need any help, you can contact me at loveth.uche@gempool.ie.

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