Acing A Video Interview
As specialist recruiters to the Legal Industry, we are sometimes asked to prepare our candidates for a video interview with a hiring panel, particularly for Graduate level roles. As HR budgets have decreased, the need to use technology efficiently has increased. Leveraging digital media is helping both recruiters and hiring managers consider more candidates.
The use of video by recruiters and hiring managers can also reduce the time it takes to fill a position.
Sometimes people feel intimidated by the video interview. This is often even the case with senior Lawyers who are familiar with conducting meetings via video conference! Video interviews are on the rise and any job seeking candidate can be well served by being video ready!
This article by Forbes discusses several case studies of what not to do… for example never conduct a video interview from your bathroom!
Our tips to ace the video interview in the Legal Industry are as follows:
Dress Appropriately
You should take a video interview as seriously as an in person interview. You should follow the rule of dressing the part for the role. If you are unsure, view the company’s team photos on their website or on LinkedIn and check the dress code. In the legal industry our advice is always if in doubt – go conservative!
Check your surroundings
Is the video interview being conducted at the company’s office? Or are you doing it from home? If it is home, check the background that can be seen from the video camera. Is it appropriately professional? The right background can help build a good first impression. Think about a blank wall with a simple piece of artwork, or a neat and tidy bookshelf.
Choose a room that is quiet, looks professional and where you won’t get distracted.
Eye Contact and Body Language is Important
Ensure you keep appropriate eye contact with the camera. This means looking directly at your Webcam rather than looking at the vision of the interviewer on your device. Remember to smile!
Check your body language – you may be at home, but your posture should still be positive. Also consider your tone of voice. It should be conversational and professional. This is particularly the case even though you may be making the video call from the comfort of your own home.
Lighting and Angles
We know you are not a movie star, but having good lighting on your face can help you present the best version of yourself. Consider using natural light from behind your computer if you can. If the room is dim, consider placing a lamp behind the webcam to improve the lighting.
Also consider the angle your web cam will view you from – eye level is more flattering rather than looking up at you.
Rehearse
Have a practice go with a friend or colleague if you are feeling nervous. You could use any number of free apps to do this such as Skype, Google Hangouts or Facebook video calls.
Consider there could be a delay in the video streaming, so a short pause before you answer each questions could be helpful.
Prepare and test the technology
Before your interview starts, ensure that you have closed all the other applications on your device. There is nothing worse than an e-mail dinging in and distracting you mid question. Also test that your audio is working, your camera works. You should also check you have the dial in access or link to the program you need to participate in the video call.
Make sure you have sufficient battery on the device you are going to use for the video interview. This may include your mobile phone, tablet or your laptop. Our advice would be to try and take the interview from a desktop or tablet rather than on-the-go on your phone where you may have less choice of background or get distracted by your surroundings.
Do the usual amount of research
Even though you may not be in their office, you still need to do the same level of interview preparation. You should be well researched on the company and the role.
It is perfectly acceptable to have notes beside you as this helps you look well prepared. Ensure you include some thoughtful questions at the end of the interview. You can see our tips relating to company research here.
We would love to hear your experiences of video interview – do you feel comfortable or intimidated? Hiring managers, has video helped you consider more talent?
Legal People is your gateway to the best legal career opportunities. If you are looking for a new role in the Legal Industry in Melbourne, then let’s talk!
We are specialists in the Legal Industry and recruit Lawyers, Support staff and HR professionals. If you enjoyed reading this article, you can follow our Company Page on LinkedIn for regular updates.
