10 tips for successful video interviews

The pandemic has forced us all to adopt new ways of working in order to minimise face-to-face contact. This means that many job interviews have gone virtual, carried out using video conferencing software, like WhatsApp, Skype, MS Teams and Zoom.

With Lockdown 3 announced on 4 January 2021 and the government advising us all to stay at home, job interviews have now moved wholly online at Edwards Employment Solutions.

When government restrictions allow, we are able offer candidates the option of a face-to-face Covid-secure interview at our offices in Chesterfield or a video interview. 

We find that the majority of our clients and candidates opt for a video interview. Not only do video interviews help us all to follow government guidelines to stay at home and protect each other, but many people find them more convenient, so much so that we’ll be incorporating them permanently in how we work at Edwards Employment Solutions.

Izabella Edwards, Managing Director of Edwards Employment Solutions explained: “As a recruitment agency we had to adapt quickly when the first lockdown was announced and meet with our clients and candidates on WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. When government restrictions allow, we operate in a hybrid situation.

“Our office is Covid-safe and we can use that for face-to-face meetings where we need to, but the majority of the time we carry out the whole process remotely using video calls. I am confident that we will combine both ways of working forever now.”

If you’ve never done a video interview before, don’t despair; the team at Edwards Employment Solutions has put together some top tips to help you.

1. Test your tech – Ensure that you have good connectivity/WiFi and can access the video platform a day or two ahead of the interview.
2. Ensure your device is fully charged - Have a charger to hand and plugged in just in case.
3. Find somewhere quiet – Make sure you won’t be disturbed by people, devices or background noise so that both you and your interviewer can focus.
4. Set up your shot – Avoid being in front of a window or in a dull room and put the camera at eye level to ensure the interviewer can see you.
5. Dress appropriately – you may be stuck at home but don’t stay in your pyjamas! Dress as you would for an office-based interview, from the waist up at least!
6. Be early –Try and log on a few minutes ahead of your interview slot.
7. Make eye contact – you may not be in the same room as your interviewer but ensure you maintain eye contact by looking at the camera and not at the screen.
8. Sit up straight – You wouldn’t normally do an interview lying down or relaxing in an armchair (we hope). Choose a straight-backed chair to sit on during your interview to ensure you maintain good posture throughout.
9. Have a conversation - This is key for any interview, but it’s especially important to treat your video interview like a conversation because that’s the only way you’ll be able to make a connection. Make sure your video call is not just question, answer, question, answer. Ask your interviewer questions about the role and the company.
10. Smile! - While interviews are undoubtedly nerve-wracking and you might feel under some stress and pressure as you answer the questions, it is more important than ever to smile. Cracking a smile may go further than just relaxing the mood and could in fact play a key role in helping you get a job.

We are adding new roles to the Edwards Employment Solutions Jobs Board daily. Applying for roles is straightforward and can be done online simply be clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button. Once you’ve registered with us and uploaded your CV, applying for any position takes just seconds. Our friendly team will also alert you to any jobs which they think match your skills and experience.

Register with Edwards Employment Solutions today or contact our team to discover how we can help you find your next role.