How To Prepare For A Video Recorded Interview

How To Prepare For A One

PRE-RECORDED VIDEO INTERVIEW TIPS, Questions & BRILLIANT ANSWERS!

One-way video interviews are a relatively new way to gain insight into a potential candidates fit for a role in an international school. At first glance they appear to be incredibly nerve-wracking. The candidate cant see the interviewer so it can feel very daunting but with some familiarity and preparation, it can be learned. Lets face it, one way interviews are probably here to stay, especially with more movement towards online learning, its definitely worth learning the ropes. At Teacher Horizons we have had a few candidates and schools with experience with one-way video interviews. Read on for our preparatory tips and a very honest first hand account!

Be Considerate And Compassionate

Give your candidate the respect they deserve by minimizing background noises and distractions. However, life happens especially at home and there may be interruptions. Before diving in, take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the candidates flexibility in moving the interview to a video conference and ask them for their patience if things pop up. Additionally, dont fault candidates if the same happens from their end.

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.

Don’t Miss: Best Interview Clothes For A Woman

Just Hit The Rec Button

First, make sure you have all the proper equipment in place. And what does that involve? Your computer, a webcam and a microphone. Your computer might already have an in-app camera and/or mic, which could work for you in this case. You might also want to use headphones to block noises. If youre lacking any of this equipment, consider borrowing from a friend or going to a local library, community center or coworking space they may offer some private offices along with equipment that you can use for your interview.

Then, you need the appropriate video software. Depending on how the company is conducting video interviews, you may or may not have to install a tool on your computer, e.g. Skype. Check the video interview invitation email they sent you youll most likely find some information there, for example, a link that you can follow to join the video call. Click that to see how it works because if you need to download an app, it might take some time and you dont want to do that a couple of minutes before the interview. If youre in doubt, dont hesitate to reach out to the recruiter or hiring manager youre talking to and ask for clarification.

Once you have your hardware and software ready, its time to run some tests. Heres how to have a tech run-through:

Find your dream job

Explore thousands of open jobs hosted by Workable, the all-in-one recruitment software trusted by companies recruiting worldwide.

Prepare Answers For Your One Way Video Interview

Before your interview, do your research and speak to the recruiter to get a full understanding of how the process will work. Here are some questions to ask:

Can you re-record your answers?
Will you have the questions ahead of time?
When is the interview due, and how long will you have to record it?
How much time do you have for each question?
Will you be able to review your videos before submitting?

Its common for pre-recorded interviews to let you re-record your answers, but you need to go into the experience prepared. If it isnt possible to re-record, make sure you do a few test runs before entering the formal interview experience.

You May Like: Women’s Outfit For Job Interview

Choose A Suitable Location

It’s important to choose a quiet and suitable location for your video interview. You want your interviewer to focus on you, so find a place that has minimal distractions. Choose a wall with a neutral background, preferably without pictures or art behind you. Make sure you are well lit either by natural light or a nearby light source. Set up your camera so the upper third of your body is clearly visible to the interviewer.

It is extremely important that your location has a reliable internet connection. If you are worried about the internet speed in your home, you can see if your local public library has a private room you can reserve. However, it’s important to avoid coffee shops and other communal spaces, even if they have superior internet.

Be Conscious Of Your Body Language

Treat a video interview like you would an in-person one. Just because theres a screen between you and the candidate does not mean that common courtesies are off the table. A whopping 55 percent of communication is nonverbal, and another 38 percent is conveyed through tone of voice your words only amount to seven percent.

In short, the way you present yourself is extremely important, even in a video interview. Make eye contact, sit up straight and nod to show youre following along with what the candidate is saying. Dont forget to smile!

Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask A Cfo During An Interview

Choose Install And Test Your Equipment

Regardless of which interview software you select, its important to understand and have experience with the nuances of your equipment before conducting an interview. Do some research beforehand to find out if the candidate needs to have certain log-in credentials, a particular email address or download a platform in order to join the conversation. Make sure to provide all of this information to candidates long before the interview so they can test out the software on their end.

Additionally, hold a few test interviews with your team members to ensure everyone understands how to set up video and audio functions, mute themselves, share their screen and chat during the interview. Go the extra mile and research pain points other software users have identified to practice solutions for common mishaps.

Thankfully, video conferencing is not a new concept and there are a plethora of excellent applications available. In response to the current situation, several providers are offering extended free trials and upgraded services. In a later section, well discuss 10 of the most popular video conferencing software options.

If Someone Enters The Room Unexpectedly

10 Tips for Pre-Recorded Interviews | VidCruiter Video Interviewing

If family members, housemates or pets enter the room while youre interviewing, apologize to the interviewer, ask for a few moments, mute your microphone and turn off your camera, and then step away to deal with the interruption. Make sure that the room is secure before beginning the interview again.

As with any job interview, you should conclude by thanking the interviewer for their time. Send a follow-up thank you email later that day . This message may help build a stronger connection with your potential employer and help you progress to the next step.

Find a quiet, private, well-lit place, free from possible interruptions.
Ensure your internet connection is stable.
Check that your computers audio is working.
Test your computers webcam.
Close any unnecessary web browser tabs and applications.
Dress professionally and avoid bright colors.
Have a pen, notepad and copy of your resume on your desk.
When listening, nod and smile to show you are engaged.
Use hand gestures when appropriate.
Place your phone in silent mode.

Recommended Reading: Top 10 Behavioral Questions

They Boost Employer Brand And Candidate Experience

Presenting a modern and agile recruitment process will surely cause a good impact on your candidates, strengthening your employer brand. Having a video interview step will make them feel they have more opportunity to showcase their skills and reinforce their application. This will also create a new level of engagement that contributes for a more positive candidate journey, helping recruiters to provide the best experience.

The bottom line about using pre-recorded video interviews is that recruiters will always end up meeting candidates in face-to-face interviews to conduct final rounds of selection and make a hiring decision.

But recruiters need to be more efficient and find the right candidates faster. The best way to uncover a candidates true potential definitely isnt by simply looking at a CV. Video adds the insights that a CV lacks and helps recruiters identifying the most promising candidates, so that they only meet in-person those who are really suitable.

Skeeled offers you the perfect opportunity to bring innovation and digitalisation to your hiring. Check our website or our and pages for further information.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Your team here at skeeled

7 Reasons Why Recruiters Love Using the ATS

An applicant tracking system is a powerful recruitment tool. There are many recruiters that …

How skeeled Uses AI to Support Recruiters

At skeeled, we work towards providing companies with AI-based tools and functionalities that …

Tips To Master Your One

Use these tips to ace your one-way video interview:

Use a timer. Many one-way video interviews have a time limit. Stay on top of it by using a timer on your computer or phone and glance at it to be sure youre on track.
Look at the camera. Similar to how youd look at the employer during a conversation, you should maintain eye contact with your camera. If you need notes for your responses, make sure to only briefly glance at them.
Use your authentic voice. Many people have the tendency to talk in a higher pitch than they normally would when they get in front of the camera. While you should sound upbeat and personable, make an effort to use your typical talking voice. This can help your video seem more authentic.
Dress for an interview. Wear business attire in your video to show employers youre taking this opportunity seriously. Of course, the benefit of a video interview is that you only need to dress nice from the waist up, since thats all employers will see. If you want to get into the mindset of an actual interview, you may still want to dress professionally from head to toe.

Recommended Reading: Interview Attire Womens

Practice Doing A Video Interview

Finally, practice talking face to camera EASYRECRUE allows you to respond as many times as you like to a test question to replicate the video interview. Take this exercise seriously. Practice your speech rate, your body language and how you appear, these are elements that grab the attention of the recruiter .

We wish you the best of luck with your interview, and hope that you enjoy this exercise. Feel free to give us your experience feedback, we would love to hear from you!

Carefully Read Their Directions

One reason an employer might use this interview format is to see if you have the ability to follow directions. Prior to recording, make sure you understand exactly what you should include in your video and how to submit it.

For instance, many employers will give you a series of questions to answer within a specific time limit. Make sure you adhere to any time restraints, as employers are quite deliberate about them. Save your video in the format they specify, which may include specific instructions on how to name your video.

Recommended Reading: What Should Females Wear To A Job Interview

It Boosts The Chances Of Atypical Candidates

A video format can help certain candidates by allowing them to compensate for any shortcomings on their CV with their personality and soft skills. Julia said,Atypical candidates those who lack experience or did not go to the right school can promote and express themselves more freely. We can see their posture, hear their vocabulary and the terminology they use, see their demeanour in front of a camera and the way they express themselves. It is more genuine than a phone call and lets you see things you would not be able to detect from a CV.

According to Julia, it is undeniable that this process has allowed a number of candidates to get an interview, who typically would not have been selected. She experienced it when recruiting for Easyrecrue. I remember, in particular, a seemingly well-trained rookie, who dazzled us in her video interview. We found her incredibly energetic, articulate and smiley, so we decided to meet her face-to-face. This would have never happened if it werent for the video interview. And we get a lot of this kind of feedback from our clients.

Learn more about: Remote interviews

Why Do Companies Do One

Employers most often use a one-way video interview for their initial screening process. Rather than having to call candidates on the phone or schedule a live video chat, they can simply ask candidates to send in a short video.

Many employers use this interview format as a way for candidates to introduce themselves. They typically have you answer a series of basic questions that help them learn more about your personality and interest in the role. They may prefer this screening format since they can watch it at their leisure as well as replay your video for other hiring managers.

You May Like: Questions To Ask A Cfo

Practice And Tech Set Up

To get used to the technology and the body language of a video interview, its useful to do some practice video calls with friends or family members. Ask them to give you candid feedback about your appearance and eye contact. Run through it a few times until things start to feel natural.

This practice can make all the difference in your interviews. Set aside time in your schedule in the weeks and days leading up to your interviewyoull find your confidence growing as you become more comfortable in front of the camera.

On the day of your interview, review this checklist as youre setting up:

Ensure that you wont be interrupted, either by locking the door or by alerting others that you cant be disturbed .
Clear the desk space, except for a notepad and pen/pencil for you to take notes.
Have a copy of your resume and any other notes ready for you to reference.
Set out a glass or bottle of water for yourself.
Check that your webcam is working.
Check that your audio is working.
Close any windows, tabs or applications on your computer that youre not using.
Check your internet connection and make sure youre not downloading anything in the background.
Set your phone to silent.
Check that the background behind you is neutral and free from clutter.
Adjust the lights in the room. If things appear dark or dim, you may want to bring in an extra desk lamp to brighten the space.

Is Zoom Highly Technical

How to Prepare for a Video Interview

Zoom is easy to use. However, it is wise to discover how to use all its features before a pressured situation like a job interview. Therefore, you can use the system with confidence, helping to combat interview nerves.

A quick start guide can be accessed by new users.

There are a few things to learn that could help your interview to run as smoothly as possible.

For example, the personal meeting link and access code for your meeting could end up in your junk or spam folder.

Knowing where to look if the meeting details do not arrive means you won’t waste time or energy trying to find them.

Getting to know the text chat function is useful if you struggle to hear or see the interviewer.

You can use it to let them know what is happening and resolve the issue fast and with minimal disruption.

Don’t Miss: How To Prepare System Design Interview

Why Have Video Interviews Become So Popular

With the increasing quality and reliability of affordable video conferencing software and hardware , video interviews have become a common method for assessing candidates.

According to the Institute of Student Employers, in 2018 49% of their members used video interviews as part of their recruitment processes. Thats basically a one in two chance that youll need to take one for each job application.

There are plenty of reasons as to why theyve risen in popularity so much:

With that said, there are, of course, downsides to video interviews. They can be time-consuming to watch back and analyse, and that usually has to be done manually . Also, suitable candidates who are unfamiliar with or not suited to video interviews might be scared off.

Before Setup Your Location

The great thing about a recorded video interview is that you have the control to attend the interview where you want. The perfect location looks professional whilst making you, as the interviewee, feel comfortable.

First, the professional part. Ensure your setup is in a stable location, with a neutral backdrop where youre unlikely to be disturbed by other people. Most video interview candidates chose to find a quiet place in their homes like a bedroom or dining room rather than opting for somewhere like a noisy coffee shop.

Next, its all about comfort. Whether youre doing your interview on a smartphone, laptop or computer, getting your setup configured comfortably is so important.

Once youve found somewhere to sit thats comfortable and natural, find a way to set your device up in a stable way directly in front of you. You can even use books, board game boxes or even an old Amazon delivery box to ensure everything is set up at the right height.

Try to also take into account your lighting. The light should be shining directly onto your face, so look to place a lamp in front of you or find a position thats directly in front of a window. Make sure the light source isnt behind you, or youll struggle to show your face properly.

Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask A Cfo In An Interview