9 Tips for Your First Video Interview

My friend Sandra* had a telephone interview the other day. Because she gets poor reception at her house, she drove to a local Starbucks to take the call. As the interview proceeded, the interviewer sounded increasingly annoyed and finally said, “I can hardly hear you. Let’s reschedule.” Sandra quickly stepped outside and explained her situation, which saved the interview, but it was definitely not a great way to make a good first impression.

Unlike a telephone interview, your video interviewer can see you and your surroundings, so there are several additional precautions to consider, according to writer Maren Hogan. My favorite suggestion?

Dress it up. Just because you aren’t in an office, doesn’t mean you can forgo pants. While it’s true that no one can see below the desk, as it were, you still want to make sure you’re in an interview state of mind, so keep it classy and professional when it comes to dressing up, even if you’re doing the interview from your bedroom.

I’d like to think that no one would NOT wear pants in an interview, but then, I’ve heard of people flushing the toilet while on a telephone interview. Apparently, people tend to let their guard down in the privacy of home!

Hogan also makes the great point that wherever you choose to hold the interview, you need to be able to act like yourself. If your surroundings make you feel self-conscious, suppressing your energy and personality, you won’t come across well.

If you want to be prepared for your first video interview, check out these 9 tips. Remember, the interviewers can actually SEE you, and you only get one chance to make a first impression!

*not her real name, of course!

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