With the world the way it is, if you are job seeking you need to be prepared to impress potential employers remotely. Interviews through the likes of Zoom or Microsoft Teams have become routine, so it is important to know how to handle them and stand out from the crowd.

Check your equipment and internet connection

Whatever platform you will be using for your upcoming interview, ensure it has been installed and tested well before your interview date and familiarise yourself with any relevant settings and functions. Is your broadband reliable? If not, test the platform with another browser, close any unnecessary windows or tabs and turn off other devices that are running on your broadband. If you are still experiencing any lagging or poor internet performance, it may be worth considering a wired internet connection direct from your modem. Check the camera and microphone settings so that you look and sound as good as possible. It may be worth using headphones to improve the sound and block out any distractions.

Practice

Once you are happy with your equipment and connection, ask a friend or colleague to give you a mock interview using the same platform as your upcoming interview. Ensure it is as close as possible to a real interview with your colleague staying in character for the duration. Ask your colleague to relay feedback so that you can make the necessary technical adjustments along with your own performance, such as your posture, body language and tone of voice.

Set the scene

You need a quiet place that will be free from interruptions, so make everyone aware of the importance of your need for quiet and move away from any sources of noise. Your surroundings will form an impression of you so choose your background carefully. Although it is an opportunity to reveal a part of your personality, it does not mean you should pack your surroundings with relevant materials as your interviewer will likely see through this. At the very least, ensure your surroundings are clean, tidy and appropriate for the position you are interviewing for.

Dress appropriately

How do you want to feel and be perceived while giving the presentation? Do you want to feel energised and confident or come across more serious? Colours can convey certain moods and messages such as;

• Blue - communication and trust
• Green - calming
• Red/coral - dynamic, energy

It is also worth noting that while blue works well, black or white colours close to the face are not great on screen. While casual clothing is great in real life, refrain from using them in an interview setting.

Video interview conduct

Punctuality

Log on in plenty of time to double check your settings and connection. You can turn off your camera until you are ready for the actual interview. Use this extra time to ensure you have everything at hand – your CV, job spec, water, notepad and pen etc.

Eye contact

Good eye contact will build trust and rapport. Remember you are using a screen so try to have the camera at eye level to avoid looking up or down on the interviewer. You need to convey eye contact by looking directly down the lens or at least around it.

Body language

Gestures can be more apparent when on camera. Try to avoid crossing your arms, slouching or frowning. Adopt a posture that is confident and calm, and which shows that you ae interested and enthusiastic. For many people, this means keeping your back straight and your shoulders open, both feet on the floor with hands resting in front of you or in your lap so that you only use them to gesture when necessary.

Communicate clearly

Video interviews can often suffer from awkward silences or overlapping speech. Do not let this affect you. You can reduce the chances by speaking clearly, pausing before you answer and keeping your responses short and to the point.

Use notes

You can use video interviews to your advantage by subtly using notes to jog your memory or ensuring you mention certain strengths or experiences. Although avoid too many notes as it may become confusing. Try not to read your notes word for word as you may come across robotic or scripted.

Stay focused

To avoid distraction, mute all email or social media notifications and switch off devices that are not required. If there is a distraction from outside, apologise but do not let it knock you off your stride. Deal with it quickly and confidently and demonstrate your calmness, confidence and ability to solve problems under pressure.

Problems you may encounter:

• If you are dealing with technical problems, explain this at the start and devise a plan so that you know what to do if the link is lost or the connection fails completely.
• Check your profile picture and username to make sure you portray the right impression.
• If someone comes into the room unexpectedly, apologise and ask for a moment to deal with the situation. It might be a good idea to switch off your camera and microphone until you have the room to yourself again.

Visit the Advice and Tips section of the website for more career management and job seeking advice.