16 Strategies To Prepare For An Audio/Video Interview
As Seen In Forbes.com
With so many companies shifting to a remote working environment, it’s becoming increasingly commonplace to organize audio/video interviews instead of in-person meetings. Audio/video interviews are a lot different from an in-person interview in many ways – not only in what regards the required technology setup but also in how the interviewee should frame their message for optimal engagement.
For those new to the process, the prospect can be quite intimidating. Whether it’s for a job opening or for a virtual industry event, the interviewee needs to be aware of several critical elements when preparing for an interview in audio or video format. Below, 16 experts from Forbes Communications Council discuss the challenges of this particular approach and take a closer look at some of the methods interviewees should consider when getting ready for an audio/video interview.
Members offer their best advice for preparing yourself for an audio or video interview.
1. Relax And Be Yourself
The No. 1 strategy I would use, and have used, to prep someone is to just relax and be yourself. Make it conversational. You are still talking to a person, so ignore the recording devices; they are incidental. Focus on the person interviewing you, and treat it as an opportunity to meet someone new. Taking a conversational approach will make the process much less intimidating. - Layla Barbur, Trextel
2. Treat It As An In-Person Interview
The most foundational factor for success in preparing for an audio/video interview is to think of it as – and treat it as – an in-person interview. This includes dressing the part, using facial and hand gestures naturally, and making sure you are presenting in the most professional environment. - Nicole Braley, Wood Mackenzie
3. Build Up Your Confidence
I recommend prepping friends and colleagues by building up their confidence. This entails reminding them of their strengths and professional experiences, which is why they got called for an interview. Also, practice the art of storytelling with them and provide basic tips: Show up, don't overthink, keep it simple. And most importantly, be authentic so that conversations flow naturally. - Stacy Sherman, Customer Experience Expert
4. Be Clear On Goals And Messaging
No secret here – as in so many things, success here is all about preparation. For each interview, you must understand your objectives and know the messages that support them. You need the facts and data points to substantiate your messages at your command. And when you can, you should prep with some role play and even informally with a colleague. With this done, you can relax a bit. You'll do great. - Al Girardi, GEP Worldwide
5. Make Sure You Don't Appear Scripted
For podcasts or videos, you never want a team member to appear scripted. It's helpful to have a pre-conversation to go over topics they're comfortable discussing and their point of view. Next, create short soundbites they can put into their own words. With audio or video, defining a narrative and prepping an interviewee is essential. This way, they'll always be comfortable and confident. - Melissa Kandel, little word studio
6. Use Storytelling To Define Your Conversation
"What you want to say” needs to be engaging enough to deliver your messages. Use storytelling to define your overall conversation. Remember, audio/visual interviews are a stream of engaging discussions that need to be anything but rhetorical. And finally, train your voice: our voices convey emotions beyond words. - Raeda Alsarayreh, Nissan
7. Role-Play With A Trusted Friend
Practice by role-playing with a trusted friend or colleague over a video platform that has recording capabilities. Make sure you know the content of your resume and don't forget to smile as you deliver your key accomplishments. Watch the playback – like you would a sports game – and make adjustments, and practice, practice, practice! - Marisa Salcines, Equifax
8. Practice In Front Of A Mirror
Practice talking out loud and/or in front of a mirror prior. Try to look at the camera when talking, not at the images on your screen (it helped me to put something near the camera as a reminder). Be natural, and know that everyone else is happy to hear from you. - Kelly Brieger, Metawave Corporation
9. Don't Read Your Remarks
It is easy to think "since I am not in person, I can just read my remarks," but don't do this! It is very easy to hear the difference between delivering remarks and reading a script. Prepare for the event just as you would for an in-person welcome, keynote or panel. You want to connect with your audience, and having your eyes up and looking into each viewer's "virtual" eyes is a perfect way to do this. - Sayar Lonial, NYU Tandon School of Engineering
10. Be Familiar With The Rules Of Engagement
Preparation is key. Be sure the spokesperson is familiar with the rules of engagement before they get on a call (or video). As a general rule, it's best to assume everything is always on the record. Prepare and review talking points, keeping them crisp with top takeaways. For those new to media interviews, tips and techniques specific to the medium are also important. - Carolyn Vadino, Gemini
11. Really Listen To The Questions
Remind the interviewee to really listen to the questions that are being asked and to take his/her time responding. When responding, the interviewee should start the answer with a main message, follow the main message with a supporting fact or statistic, and end the answer by reiterating the main message. - G'Nai Blakemore, Mattress Firm
12. Analyze Perspective And Know Your Weaknesses
There are two things to keep in mind. First, analyze perspective: Who is the interviewer? What is the purpose of the interview? What type of setting do you expect? Second, be aware of your weaknesses: Are you camera shy? Does the "red dot" cause your nerves to jar? If so, practice. Record yourself and gain familiarity with your own voice and appearance. It's all about comfort. When one is comfortable, they portray their best self. - Kenneth Harris, Consultwebs
13. Use An Easy-To-Follow Checklist
I always provide an easy-to-follow checklist for anyone scheduling a video interview. The checklist includes everything from talking points to "what not to wear." Wardrobe seems like a simple issue, but in a social distancing environment, people sometimes forget it's important to look professional on camera – even if they're sitting on their couch. - Megan Hernandez, American Land Title Association
14. Test Your Setup Early
Test setup early. Don't wait until the last minute for something to go wrong, like a meeting plugin, an incorrect audio configuration or too much background noise. It can look unprepared. Get a modest but professional microphone, a ring light, the right professional background and good Wi-Fi. Unlike social media, you'll likely get just one take, so preparing your environment is a good first step. - Kenneth Kinney, Ai Media Group, Inc.
15. Take These Three Key Steps
I'd recommend taking these three critical steps. First, become familiar with the technology you’ll be using in advance. Download the app/plugins, set up a test call to check sound and practice navigating features. Second, make eye contact just like an in-person meeting. Position your device at eye level and look into the webcam. And third, research the firm and prepare your answers. A smooth technical experience is meant to complement your interview readiness. - Olivia Farquharson, OSF Designs, LLC
16. Consider The Camera Angle
Camera angles can really make a difference in emulating a personal experience on video. Make sure your camera is elevated so you are able to make eye contact with those who are interviewing you. When your camera lens is below eye level, it can appear as though you are looking down upon your audience, and this may cause interviewers to not make the personal connection you're hoping for. - Trisha Swift, ZeOmega Population Health Solutions