Quick Tips: Preparing for and Creating a Good Impression on Video Interviews
Given the current pandemic, many employers are utilizing video interviews for the interviewing process. Students will often ask how to give a good impression over a video interview when they are physically not in-person at the company/organization. Here are some tips on preparing for and making a good impression on video interviews:
- Select a quiet place that does not have background noise.
- Wear professional attire as if this were an on-site/in-person interview.
- If you have friends, family members, or pets that are in the same residence, be sure to not have them appear during the interview.
- Remember to silence your cell phone so that they do not hear it vibrate or ring.
- Choose a professional background. This can be a plain wall background, but you may consider having a bookcase in the background for example. You want to avoid having anything in the background that could be distracting or embarrassing to you during the interview.
- Check that the lighting is sufficient and good. You don’t want to be interviewing in the dark nor have it too bright.
- Maintain good eye contact with the camera. You want to avoid looking down or sidewards from the camera. It’s important to have good posture sitting in your chair and be engaged in the conversation. You may find it helpful to have a reminder note on the top of your screen reminding you to look at the camera. You can elevate your laptop or screen which would also help you keep your camera at or above your eye level.
- Practice what you look like in front of the camera/video with friends.
- Students often ask if they can have notes in front of them. The concern is that you don’t want to look down or make noise with the paper. You could put a few notes on the perimeter of your screen; however, you still want to maintain good eye contact and not read off them or look to the side of the camera.
- If the interview requires you to do a slide presentation, you may be asked to share your screen. Remember to have your desktop icons and background cleaned up, close any tabs open on your browser, and turn off any email or notification pop-ups that may come in.
- Resources for Video Interviewing:
- Big Interview. It’s an online training system where you can practice your interviewing techniques and skills: https://careerservices.upenn.edu/resources/big-interview
- Schedule a mock interview with us in Career Services to practice your interviewing skills: https://upenn.joinhandshake.com
