How to Succeed at a Video Interview
April 16th 2020 | Posted by Dave Cross
Succeeding at Video Interviews in Financial Recruitment During the Covid 19 Crisis
Even at a time when the world of work and finance is very different to normal, there are accounting roles available to apply for. If you are thinking of applying for one of these roles, you need to give yourself the best chance of being successful.
Impressing at interview is a big part of this. In today’s environment, many interviews are being conducted by video. So what do you need to do to make success at a video interview more likely?
Pay close attention to what you wear
If you were attending an interview face to face, you would think carefully about what you should wear on the day. This should not be any different when you are taking part in a video interview. Even if you are being interviewed while at home, you should still choose suitable business dress.
Opt for clothing that looks professional and that does not feature busy patterns such as stripes. This is because these patterns can be distracting to the interviewer and they can have an adverse effect on the clarity of your appearance.
Concentrate on looking into the camera
When you take part in a video interview, it’s often tempting to look at the video feed. You should not do this. If you look at the video feed, you will not appear to be looking directly at the interviewer and this may make you appear as though you are not interested.
Instead, you should look directly into the camera. If you feel awkward doing this, you should take time to practice before the interview takes place.
Block out interruptions
If you are taking part in a video interview at home, there is a chance that other people will be there. This is especially likely at the present time. This is not necessarily a problem, as long as you prevent interruptions from taking place.
Make sure that you tell others in the household that you cannot be interrupted. You should also make sure that the lighting is good in the area where you choose to sit for the duration of the interview. Ideally, use natural light if possible and make sure that your face is lit from the sides.
Prepare yourself technically
Do not wait until the last minute to test the equipment that you are going to use during the video interview. It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to ensure that the necessary technology is working as it should.
If you experience any problems during the interview, you should let the interviewer know as soon as possible. For instance, there may be an issue with connectivity. Doing this means that you do not miss any important points or questions.
Summarise at the end
In the same way as you should at the end of any interview, you should summarise your main points at the end of a video interview. You should also take the opportunity to ask any relevant questions and make sure that you know what the next step of the process will be.
As an accounting professional looking to take on a new challenge, it’s important that you follow these steps. Doing so means that you are more likely to succeed at a video interview and secure the role that you are looking for.