It took a while to get used to pretending my camera was a real life person but at the end of it, I actually found that I felt more comfortable talking about myself this way than in face-to-face interviews.
My video interview didn’t have another person asking my questions at the other end. Instead, questions were given to me on the screen and I was given time to record my answers.
Based on the questions that I got asked, I have listed above what I think the recruiter wanted to gauge from me.
In my experience, depending on how specialised the position that you’re applying for is, most recruiters are becoming less interested in technical knowledge. What they want to know is whether or not you can fit into the culture of the company. Most importantly, they want to know how easily you can learn and adapt on the job – this is much more important than sounding as smart as Einstein.
My insider tips
1. Take the video interview seriously and dress as you would for a face to face meeting.
You will feel more powerful and this will transpire when you speak. You might think that you can get away by wearing a crisp shirt on top and your pyjamas as bottoms but it would do your confidence a favour to really dress to impress.
2. Do research on potential questions that may come up based on the position you’re applying for.
Why don’t you check YouTube for other people’s video interviews so you have an idea of how best to conduct yourself? Better yet, why don’t you attend a careers interview workshop? Check out our Careers and Employability website for events to help you.
3. Familiarise yourself with the technology.
- Is the webcam/microphone working? Don’t leave it last minute to check.
- Can you stop and start the interview or will you lose time by doing this? My interview allowed me some time to read the question. Afterwards I was free to start the recording of my answers.
- Are you allowed breaks? In my experience, I wasn’t. The idea is to emulate a real life interview but merely to exploit how technology makes it quicker and cheaper to screen candidates.
4. Try and locate the fastest internet speed you can get.
This affects the quality of your video and ultimately how the recruiter will perceive you. The University’s Eduroam connection has never failed me. If you’re having trouble getting hold of a webcam, Hartley Library provides laptops with a microphone and camera. If you need a quiet room to record your interview, you can book a library room here. Of course, you can also complete the interview in the comfort of your own room! Just make sure you tell your housemates that your life depends on their quietness for the next hour or so…
5. Do a trial run.
Skype a friend before recording so you can ask for feedback on how close you should be to the camera and any other adjustments to make such as lighting and sound. I found that a plain white background for the video was enough. Too much going on in the back takes the attention away from you.
My experience in retail job interviews
As a student, it helps to have extra income from a part-time job whilst doing a degree. I work one shift a week in retail and that is enough to pay for my weekly food shop which is fantastic. My video interview was for Transport for London but I have had more experience being interviewed for retail positions. It’s different in a sense that they are done in person but incredibly similar in a sense that most of the questions I’ve been asked want to know how easily I can fit into the culture of the team.
If you’re thinking of applying for a part-time job in retail, here are some things that my manager has told me she keeps in mind when interviewing candidates:
Retail is very much team based and customer facing. Typically, employers want to know if you are warm and welcoming to new people, if you can sell products well and if you can learn on the job quickly. Retail is also busy and fast paced. I’ve found that it’s all about using your intuition and not relying on the manager or supervisor to tell you what to do all the time. For example, if I see a spillage on the shop floor I use my intuition to follow the right clean-up procedure and not wait for my manager to ask. One other thing is that retail managers want flexible recruits. Sometimes, your colleagues will get ill or someone can’t turn up for their shift. Your CV will get a guaranteed tick if you are flexible and open to short notice shift work.
In my experience, practice makes perfect if you want to succeed in that interview. Take a few hours to search online what kind of potential questions will come up based on the technicalities or competencies needed for the position you’re applying for. Ultimately, an interview is your opportunity to bring to life your CV. If you’ve got it – flaunt it. Don’t be shy to sound passionate.
If you have had a video interview, let me know how it went in the comments below. If you have one coming up, best of luck to you!
Rylyn
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