Mental preparation for your interview is just as important as the physical setup.  You should prepare for your pre-recorded video interview with the same tenacity and focus as if you were walking into your potential employer’s office.

• Practice, practice, practice – before even turning on your webcam.
  Look into the camera as if you were having a conversation with someone sitting in front of you.

  In a traditional interview, eye contact is of the utmost importance so make sure you look directly into the camera to answer the questions posed to you.

  Do not look at the computer screen when answering questions – this places your line of sight below the webcam and you will appear to be looking down from the interviewer’s point of view.

  It may seem awkward at first, but the more you rehearse looking at the webcam and not the person on the screen, the more comfortable you will feel during your interview.

• Research the company and ready yourself to answer company-specific questions.

  Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement, history, product and service offerings, management, and information about the company culture.

  Look at current events – read their recent press releases so in the interview you can knowledgeably discuss the direction in which the company is going.

• Be prepared to answer any questions about your resume and rehearse your responses.

  Review your resume and develop multiple talking points about all of your past experiences.

  Polish your answers – nothing destroys your credibility faster than a constant stream of filler words such as “um”, “like”, and “you know”.

• Dress for success; communicate professionalism with your attire.

  Men: Navy, black, or dark grey suit, long sleeve dress shirt, conservative tie, professional, clean-cut hairstyle, clean-shaven.

  Women: Navy, black, or dark grey suit, coordinated blouse, limited jewelry (no dangling earrings, arms full of bracelets), professional hairstyle, light make-up.

  What not to wear for a webcam: stripes or busy patterns as some video monitors form fluctuating patterns on the screen when broadcasting striped patterns.

  In general, you should look as if you put considerable time and effort into your personal appearance.  Your clothing should complement you, not be a distraction.

The most important step in this process is answering the pre-recorded interview questions.  Our video interviewing experts have provided some suggestions guaranteed to make you look good.

• Speak clearly and enunciate.

  You don’t want your brilliant answers to be lost because you were mumbling.

  Don’t rush but don’t dawdle either – the company that is interviewing you has pre-determined the length of your answers.  This information is listed in your invitation to interview along with an option to re-try your answer (some companies choose not to offer this to emulate a live video experience). Practice answering questions and time yourself to make sure you are answering effectively in the allotted time.

• Treat the camera as the employer 

  It may certainly seem odd however it is vital that you treat the video camera as if it were the hiring manager. Look directly at the camera when speaking. This will give the impression you are confident and not in anyway timid of technology or the interviewing process. Don’t look away from the camera as this may give the interviewer the impression that you are lacking interest in the role or easily distracted.

• Listen to each question, contemplate your response, and answer concisely.

  Make sure you answer the question being asked.  Off-base, round-a-bout answers are a surefire way to talk yourself out of a job.

  If you are given the opportunity to retry your answer, try to nail down your response sooner rather than later.  We have found that more tries may begin to dilute a clear message, so your first or second answer will probably be your best.

• Answer with a headline.

  The first sentence of your answer should set the tone by restating the question and providing your initial opinion.

  From there, you can add details from your own research, opinions, and experiences.  However, you should always make sure you cycle back to your original point and don’t stray too far off topic.

• Body language and Appearance

  If you feel it could be helpful to calm your nerves consider drinking herbal tea and practice deep breathing exercises before the interview starts. Contrary to an in-person interview, you may want to minimise your body and hand movements on a video interview as rapid movements may sometimes look jerky on a video screen.

• Take a deep breath, relax, and let your personality shine through.

  At the end of the day, employers hire human beings, not just the name at the top of a resume.

  Smile and have fun – remember, if you are adequately prepared, you will be successful.