How To Ace Video Interviews & Presentations

From Uber to Airbnb, it seems like everyone and everything is going online... and interviews and presentations are no exception. The same way we have invested time and energy into mastering the usage of Google Drive and Microsoft Office products, the ability to effectively conduct video interviews and conference calls are now becoming an important skill in several industries.

According to a 2017 Deloitte report, 33 percent of company survey respondents use some variation of A.I. technology, like HireVue, a video interview platform, to support video conferencing in their hiring processes. Over 600 companies use HireVue alone, and research suggests that video and A.I. technologies are only going to expand in popularity.

But, have no fear! As a generation of FaceTime and Instagram Live users, preparing for a video interview or presentation is easier now than ever.

Here are 4 tips to help you ace video interviews and conferences.

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Record Yourself With Your Webcam or Practice in the Mirror

The same way you would run questions with a friend or career services representative to prepare for an interview, compile a list of potential questions and then record yourself answering them into your webcam. It will certainly feel uncomfortable the first few times, but if you look strange in your recording, then you'll definitely look strange to whoever is ultimately reviewing the footage.

If you don't have access to a webcam, your cell phone camera or a simple bathroom mirror can suffice. Remember to keep pushing forward in your practice runs, regardless if you make a mistake or not. Practice makes perfect.

Find a Quiet Location with Good Light & Wifi

There is nothing worse than nailing most of your interview questions and making a strong impression… and then your computer freezes. Give yourself at least one hour before your interview to test your wifi connection and confirm your intended background/location. Waiting until five minutes before your call will not give you any wiggle room to make changes in the event that the setting is too dark, messy, or echoey. First impressions go a long way, so make sure you secure all of the easy wins.

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Dress Professionally From The Waist Up

Unlike in-person meetings, you only need to dress professionally from the waist up for video conferences since the camera is filming your top half. But, remember to be cautious of the camera shifting or extending your body too much if you're going to wear casual bottoms like pajama pants. Many systems, like HireVue, don't give you second chances to film a response, so be mindful.

Speak Clearly & Enunciate

More often than not, people under-enunciate and do not project their voices enough when speaking or presenting on camera. It can seem silly to speak loudly when you're the only person in the room, but remember that the person(s) on the receiving end of the video cannot ask you to pause or repeat answers.

So speak clearly, confidently, and go get it, girl.

Featured image by Getty Images