How To Produce A Video Interview
Video interviewsor talking headsare common in all types of videos, from documentaries and newscasts to and customer testimonials. Producing a video interview is a straightforward process that you can complete with nearly any type of home video equipment.
Follow these steps to produce the perfect video interview:
Prepare yourself and your subject for the video interview by talking about the information that you’re going to cover and the questions that you’re going to ask. Your subject will be more relaxed and the video interview will go more smoothly if you’ve talked it out ahead of time.
Find a good backdrop for conducting the video interview. Ideally, you’ll use a location that illustrates something about the person you are interviewing, such as the subject’s home or workplace. Make sure that the background is attractive and not too cluttered.
If you can’t find a suitable backdrop for the video interview, seat your subject in front of a blank wall.
Depending on the location of your video interview, you may want to set up some lights. A basic three-point lighting setup can really enhance the look of your video interview.
If you’re working without a light kit, use whatever lamps are available to adjust the lighting. Make sure that your subject’s face is brightly lit, without any odd shadows.
Choosing An Interview Space
The Top 11 Best Video Interviewing Platforms
The best video interview software we’ve found after extensive research, along with pricing guidelines, benefits, ROI calculations, and more
Weâve updated this guide to reflect the need to conduct video interviews during COVID-19, in addition to all the advice that is relevant during more normal times. We hope it allows your recruiting team to stay nimble and keep moving talent through the funnel despite work-from-home and social distancing protocols.
If youâre looking to qualify more candidates faster, you should definitely start using a video interview solution. HR managers and recruiters are increasingly using these platforms to streamline and expedite their hiring processes as we can see in the data:
- Before COVID-19, a study revealed that video technology was being used by at least 60% of hiring managers and recruiters. Fast forward to this year, a poll of HR leaders found that as many as 86% of organizations are now using virtual technology to interview candidates.
- Not only do hiring managers like video interviewing, but as many as 57% of candidates do too. Moreover, 98% of candidates interviewed via video tend to perceive the employer as innovative – a reputation youâll definitely want to have.
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What Ruins The Quality Of A Recorded Video Interview
The main issue is in this situation is that you and the guest need to use a third-party video call software or platform for the online chat and video recording. And the audio quality and video image recorded are completely at the mercy of the internet speed and its stability.
Chances are you are very likely to get weird or distorted sound/video or time lag as the audio/video travels through the internet.
Use Your Face To Show Youre Engaged
Nonverbal communication is important in any conversation. But when it comes to a video interview, a lot of the avenues through which we usually give nonverbal cueseye contact, body language, and small murmurs of agreementare cut off. So we have to lean more heavily on what we have left, namely facial expressions.
If youre in the room with someone, you can usually tell if theyre listening to you intently even if their face is not moving much . But everybody can look like a statue over video interview, Turner says. You shouldnt be so static that your interviewer has to wonder if youre still connected.
Short vocalizations arent the way to solve this problem here since on many common video interview platforms, only one mic can be used at once, Eonnet says. So while two people can speak simultaneously in the same room or over the phone, on a video call, your yes, definitely! can mute the other persons microphone momentarily, breaking up the flow of conversation and possibly causing you to miss key information.
Instead of saying mm-hm or yeah, nod or smile when youd usually speak. That way your interviewer still gets the feedback they need without your mic accidentally overriding theirs.
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How To Present Yourself
Wear smart clothes that look professional. Go for something plain that does not look distracting on camera.
Try not to wear a lot of jewellery. Avoid anything that could distract you and be noisy when you move.
You should do some practice runs. Record yourself and watch the recording back. Make sure you:
- be clear when you speak
- do not talk too fast
- pause at the end of a question so that you dont talk over the interviewer
- smile and look interested
- Google Hangouts
In a live video interview, if you have any technical problems, let the interviewer know. Its best to stop and restart if you need to.
High Quality Interviews Require You Pay Attention To Video Audio Environment And Software
Creating a high quality video interviews requires that you pay attention to four essential elements:
- Video Quality
- Environment
- Software for Recording
Of course, there is a fifth element content that is required, but thats not what this article is about. Were focused more on the tools required to create high quality video interviews.
It is easy to think that a higher quality camera will make our end product stunning but that is only one piece. If you have amazing video but your audio misses the mark youre no better off. As a matter of fact, it can be argued that the audio quality of an interview is more important than the video quality.
Likewise, the environment where you are recording your side of the interview is important as well not just for the aesthetics, but also the acoustics. Aesthetically, you want an environment that doesnt distract from you or the person on the other side of the video call.
After putting in all the work of getting your audio and video equipment right and creating an environment that doesnt distract from your interview, its essential that you use a software that is reliable and captures your interview at the highest possible quality assuming that you are the one responsible for the recording.
Your end product is only as strong as each of these elements. Creating high quality video interviews means that you need to take time to intentionally address each element which is exactly what were about to do, starting with video.
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Read And Follow The Instructions Very Carefully
You will be more successful in the interview and you will demonstrate your ability to work carefully and thoroughly by following the directions for the interview very carefully.
Skipping this step or just quickly glancing at the instructions can automatically disqualify you before the interview even begins. Avoid making assumptions about the process that could be wrong.
Check The Following Settings
This is your first video, so dont worry about things being perfect.
When you launch, youll be asked about how you want to join the audio:
For your first time, I suggest you Test Computer Mic & Speakers
Ideally, you have an external microphone. I use a cheap, $30 USB headset mic and it works great.
If you dont see the prompt above, you can always go to the settings here:
I also suggest you check the video settings.
Youll be on the settings window:
Go to the video tab and make sure its set to 16:9
Advanced settings tips:
- Put your notes close to the camera: Put anything you plan to look at close to where your computer camera is so youre not staring off into space during the recording.
- Change your settings for screen share: If youre doing a screen share, not just videos of faces, be sure to set Optimize for full screen mode or youll end up with a wonky aspect ratio.
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Signal When Your Answers Are Complete
In the same vein, its helpful for the other person if you signal the end of your answer, especially if its a long one. You can do this through a visual cue like nodding or you can make sure you conclude your answer strongly or ask the interviewer a question. A long silence while your interviewer guesses whether or not youre done can be awkward over video, Eonnet says, whereas in person, its usually clearer that the other person is finished speaking.
Explain Any Long Pauses
Because of the various limitations of video calls, it might not always be clear to your interviewer what youre doing if no one is speaking. Tell them if youre pausing to write down a few notes, pull up some information for them, or even just formulate your answer to a question. This shows that youre aware of their experience while also reassuring them that no technical glitches have occurred.
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Record In The Right Environment
When you think about how to succeed in pre-recorded video interviews, it’s important to start from the background of your recording. Record in front of a wall with neutral colors, avoiding wallpapers and distracting, patterned walls. All the focus should be on you not the background. Additionally, ensure that your workplace is tidy and clean before starting the video. You don’t want those reviewing your videos to notice a mess.
When it comes to recording, position your webcam so that it’s at eye-level when you sit down, and be sure that you have sufficient lighting in the room so you can be clearly seen without shadows or too much backlight. Turn on all the lights in the room if possible, and close the curtains to prevent glare if you’re recording in the daytime. Your recording space should also be quiet, so try to eliminate any possible distractions. Turn off your mobile phone and any other devices in the room that may create ambient noise. Also make sure that you have a great internet connection to prevent disruptions.
Best Practices For Using A Phone:
- Make sure that you have good cell phone reception wherever youll be recording the conversation.
- Wear high-quality headphones or a headset that includes a microphone.
FRQNCY Media is the audio production company for Jane Goodall, Diane von Furstenburg, Coca-Cola, and small businesses alike. FRQNCY is a one-in-a-million blend of innovation, passion, and joy. We offer tailored audio production support including integrated services that take care of content strategy, market research, production, editing, and marketing.
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What Quality Of Light Is Most Flattering For Video Interviews
While there are different light sources, natural lighting is the most flattering for video interviews. However, artificial lighting for a video interview can also produce flattering results.
Natural lighting is free and abundant. With your device ready, you are all set for the interview. The quality is perfect such that if you position yourself well, you will not have to bother about too much brightness or shadows. Since most interviews will last for under an hour, you may not have to worry about drastic light changes, depending on the time of day.
You can use artificial lighting like fluorescent or LED lights at any time of the day. This is possible because these extra light sources have a strong reflective quality. With artificial lighting, you can create a professional-looking setup that leaves you looking polished and clean. Keep in mind that artificial lighting does come with a cost because you have so many moving parts .
What Is Video Interviewing Software
Video interviewing software is a way to conduct online video interviews with incoming job applicants. There are a few different types of video interview software. One-way video interviews ask job candidates to answer several questions in front of a camera, the recording of which is submitted to whoever makes the hiring decisions for later review. Two-way video interviews are more like live video interviews, where two people speak together in real-time in order to screen candidates.
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Have Your Interview Answers Ready
If you receive the questions in advance, you have received a fabulous opportunity to be well-prepared. Its like being handed the keys to the kingdom. Script out your answers in advance, remembering to tell clear and concise stories that are examples of your accomplishments.
If you dont receive the questions in advance, which is unfortunately more likely, be prepared to answer the standard job interview questions.
Focus on the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the results you attained.
During the interview, have a copy of the job description and your resume or application available to reference if necessary.
Multistream For Bigger Reach
You dont have to go live on just one platform, you can multistream to all major platforms at the same time. Make it super easy for your audience to join by going live on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn at the same time. You also have a universal chat from all platforms so you never miss a comment and dont have to keep switching between numerous tabs.
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Give Your Interviewee Tips
Because your interviewees setupincluding lighting and backgroundis whatevers available where theyre located, you wont have a ton of control over the space and how things look.
In advance of your interview, give your interviewee some pointers about lighting, audio, what to wear so they pop without distorting, and how to stage their space.
- Lighting: Ask them to face natural light or use some basic lighting equipment, like a ring light or even a lamp placed at a good angle, to better illuminate themselves.
- Audio: Tell them that sound quality is vital and suggest they choose a quiet space to conduct the interview . If youre sending interviewees a basic equipment kit, strongly consider including a mic.
- Attire: Suggest that they wear solid colors, but avoid all-white or all-black outfits as it can be tough to get the lighting right for these. Recommend that they avoid patterns with small lines as these can create a distortion effect on camera.
- Staging: Ask them to put a bit of thought into the backdrop for the call. Suggest they choose an uncluttered spot with some visual interest. If needed, they could move some items around to minimize distractions or even add a point of interest .
Our blog post about recording videos remotely has more detail and some helpful pointers on this.
Consider Offering An Equipment Kit
If your organization plans to do frequent remote interviews, you might consider assembling a basic equipment kit that you can mail to interviewees to use during the call. This would be your best chance of guaranteeing high-quality footage.
Depending on your budget, you could allow them to keep the equipment as a bonus for agreeing to interview with you or have them send it back to you for reuse .
Make sure that the items you include in your kit are both affordable and easy to use as interviewees may not be tech-savvy.
Video Producer Mathew King recommends the following items for an effective remote video kit that clocks in at under $200 USD:
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Make Sure You Have The Right Devices Available
If you have no other options, you can probably use your smartphone for this interview, assuming it has a camera. However, you will very likely make the best impression using a camera connected to a computer, assuming the computer also has a microphone and a speaker
Double-check with the interviewer if you need to use your smartphone.
When possible, test the connection to be sure it works before the interview regardless of device used.
In advance, test your microphone and camera to be sure that they work. Even perfect answers to the questions wont make an impact if they cant hear your answers or see you talk.
Be Confident On Camera
Beyond your face appearing clearly in video interviews, you need to be confident to prove to recruiters that you are the right candidate.
Whether it is your first job interview or one of many, theres always room for improvement. InterviewFocus is just the tool to help. With InterviewFoucs, you can work on things that help you appear confident such as your body language, eye contact, word usage and more.
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The Essential Office Or Home Environment For Recording Video Interviews
The last item to discuss in regards to creating stunning video interview footage is the location where you will actually be recording. Your location will impact both the audio and video quality of your video interview and can be an asset or a major liability.
Your location will GREATLY impact your audio recording. If you are in a room with no carpet, no seat cushions and all hard surfaces that location will produce a very distracting echo with reverb. You want to record in a location that has plenty of natural sound absorbing material. If that is not possible, you have two options.
A first option you have to diminishing echo and reverb from your location is bringing in every cushion and pillow you have to your recording location and set them around your computer and microphone. Thats what I did when I first started podcasting. My office was hardwood, high ceilings and no padding anywhere. I would confiscate every couch cushion and bed pillow we had, along with hanging blankets around the room to get rid of the echo.
Another option available to help you diminish echo and reverb is to invest in sound treatment material, which can be expensive. An inexpensive pseudo sound treatment can be found at nearly any army surplus store. Egg crate foam can be mounted onto foam-core boards and then positioned like a science experiment exhibit around your setup. This will cost you under $50 and give you a decent amount of sound absorption.
