Video Interviewing is going to become more common in the recruitment process. The major benefit of video interviewing is the time saved on scheduling and commuting to and from an in-person interview. It will not replace the in-person interview but is a pre-screening process. This means you won’t have to take time off work to go for an interview, you can record your video within your own schedule.
In light of this, we put together a few practical tips to help you make a great video that presents yourself well. Remember this is not going to be a Hollywood production, but a simple representation of who you are and what you offer.
WHERE WILL YOU FILM?
You need to have a clean and clear space to record your video. There should be nothing incriminating or negative behind you that will impact on the message you are trying to send.
WHERE IS THE LIGHT?
Bad lighting can ruin a good video. Don’t have any bright lights behind you, or to the side. The light should be behind the camera which will light up your face evenly.
NOISE IS NOT WELCOME
Outside noises can interrupt your presentation and make you sound unprepared. Don’t force the viewer to strain to hear you over the noise of a vacuum cleaner in the background. If you are in a small room, there may also be a lot of echoe (reverb is the technical term). This will make your speech hard to understand.
EQUIPMENT
A simple cell phone camera will do. If you have a stand to steady the device it will stop your video from shaking, but is not necessary. Most smartphones have basic editing capabilities so you can trim off the beginning and end of the video if you feel it is needed.
CONSIDER THE ANGLES
Consider who will view your video and where they will be watching. It is most likely that they will be at a computer which means a horizontal video will relate best on their screen. Vertical video is not the end of the world, and if you feel more comfortable with that orientation then you should choose that.
SOME BIG NO-NOS
There are some things you should definitely NOT do in the video;
• Don’t be too close to the camera
• Don’t be miles away from the camera
• Don’t use fancy filters or effects
• Don’t film yourself in a mirror
Telling your story, or answering the question you were asked is unique to you. You can use the same storytelling techniques that you would use in an in-person interview. Don’t be afraid to ask a willing friend to help you record the video either.
Much like a good photo, a well-made video tells a story of professionalism and work ethic. It is part of your marketing package and represents the quality of work that you offer. Make it count.
