I previously wrote about mastering your remote interview in terms of being prepared for the conversation and questions. But in the case of video interviews, your visual preparation is also a vital aspect of making a great first impression. While spending time on live video platforms has become second nature for class, work, and even social time, it’s important to remember proper video etiquette when you’re interviewing for a new position.

You’ve done the company research and listed a few talking points that show how your values and experience align with the company and position, and you’re feeling confident. Now follow these 3 steps for making the best visual impression possible during your video interview.

1. Prepare Your Interview Space

No matter how well you’re dressed or how perfectly you speak during a video interview, if the lighting is bad, or if there’s a huge mess behind you, your interviewer will be distracted and miss a great deal of your actual conversation. Prepare your interview space and lighting ahead of time to ensure a distraction-free and professional environment.

The first thing you need for your space is privacy. Try to avoid public venues, unless you can secure a private study room at your library. Make sure there won’t be people walking around behind you, and if you can set yourself against a plain or neutrally decorated wall, that’s ideal. Virtual backgrounds are acceptable if you really can’t clear the space behind you. But keep a few things in mind:

• Make sure you still have privacy since objects can cut into the background.

• Use a background image of an office or interior wall rather than something unrealistic or distracting.

• Make sure your background is applicable to the meeting platform. Some platforms lack virtual background options, so you may have to use a third-party app linked to your camera app.

Do your best to set up with windows in front of you, because a window behind you will create a distracting backlight. If you have a ring light or other light to place behind the camera, that will provide the best lighting on your face. Your ultimate goal is that the interviewer will see you looking natural in a neutral space.

2. Prepare for Eye Contact

This tip is not often shared, but it really makes the difference in your level of engagement during the interview. The better you appear to make eye contact as you would in an in-person interview, the better impression you’ll make on the interviewer.

In a video setting, we all typically look at the face of the person talking on the screen. In our minds, we are looking at them. But what they see is what our camera sees. We’re looking down, up, or to the side. To really make eye contact, you need to be looking right into your camera. This feels unnatural, but there’s a way to look at your camera and at your interviewer at the same time:

1. Position your seat so that you’ll be about eye level with your camera.

2. Size down your meeting platform window so that all you can see is the other person’s image. If your platform offers the option, hide your self view.

3. Move the small window up to just beneath your camera at the top of your computer screen.

Now when you look at the camera, you’ll appear to be looking straight at your interviewer! With the positioned window, you’ll be able to see them pretty well, and the difference will be minimal if you look at them instead of the camera.

In addition to these window adjustments, pull your talking points up so that they are also in view near your camera. This way, rather than looking down or to the side, you’ll appear to be looking right at your interviewer the entire time.

3. Prepare Technical Aspects

With your space and screen set up for success, it’s time to make sure all of your technical details are in good order. Listen to a recording of yourself with your built-in microphone. Is it picking up your sound clearly? While there’s no need to invest in an expensive microphone just for job interviews, there are some inexpensive options that might work well. Or, you might be able to borrow a microphone from a friend or colleague. Make sure that when it is set up in front of you, it’s not obtrusive or blocking your face in any way. Whether you’re using an external microphone or your built-in mic, do a test run with a friend to confirm it’s working well and to make sure you’re comfortable with the sound.

Be sure to do that test run using the meeting platform in which your interview will take place. Get familiar with all of the on screen controls so that you’re comfortable navigating them during the interview.  

Finally, if your WiFi connection is ever unreliable, dig out your Ethernet cord and plug in for this event. If you’re having trouble understanding your interviewer, or if your screen freezes during the interview, you’ll get flustered and won’t give your best performance. A stable connection is a priority for your interview. If the job itself will be work from home, an unreliable connection could actually cost you the position completely.

If you’re sure you’ve covered all the bases, but you’re still concerned that video interviews are not your strength, contact me for a strategy session. We can go over the issues that are giving you the most trouble and brainstorm on how to make the best impression on your next interview.