Twenty-Seven Top Tips for Video Job Interviews & Sales Presentations, Part 1

OfficeTeam recently reported that more than six in ten employers are using video to conduct job interviews. Polycom and Redshift Research say that video conferencing for vendor sales meetings and presentations will be the preferred method of meeting by 2016. With this in mind, here are our Top Twenty-Seven Ideas for Acing a Video Interview or Presentation.

Your Equipment

• Invest in a high quality camera. While most laptops, smartphones, and tablets come with an integrated camera, the image can be distorted, rendering you with the appearance of camel nose (a good look on a camel, but not so good on you). CNET.com and other similar sites provide reliable reviews on HD webcams, most of them under $60.00.
• Be sure the camera is securely mounted on a vibration-free surface. Even the best camera will make the viewer seasick if your image is jumping around on their screen.
• A wireless microphone / headset can be purchased for under $40.00 and improves the quality of your voice, cancels background noise, and is hands-free.
• Find out what videoconference service will be used. Test-run the video with friends to fine tune the feed from your end. Check for audio clarity, a good video image, and an effective setting. Ask for feedback and fine tune the adjustments so that you are presenting yourself in the most professional way possible.
• Account for network delays. Depending on the locations of the parties (in your town or halfway across the world), there may be a transmission delay of up to three seconds.

The Setting

You’ll need to take steps to prepare your setting in advance, and have others view it on camera to suggest improvements. You don’t want customers or interviewers seeing you with a messy desk or busy background, bookcase or home furnishings. Your interviewers will look at what you let them see!

• The background should be simple, preferably a light solid or semi-solid color (avoid white or patterns). Think of the backgrounds used in a photo studio. A light colored sheet or blanket can be used as a backdrop.
• Lighting is critical. Too little light creates shadows that make you look like an evil Start Wars character. Too much light makes you look washed out, and may cast unwanted shadows on the backdrop.
• The room you choose to conduct a video interview must be quiet and distraction-free. Children, pets, roommates, or guests will distract you and their motion and noise could be picked up on camera.
• Food and drink does NOT belong in a video interview, and therefore should never be in view of the camera. It will distract the viewers, and send the wrong message.
• Place notes behind your camera (on the wall, table easel, or flipchart), so you can view them occasionally and still appear to be looking into the camera.
• The camera should be slightly above the level of your head so that it looks down about six to eight inches when you are seated. This gives the best angle for your face.
• The view should be set so that your head and shoulders are captured with a hint of the table or desk or table at which you are seated.
• Make sure the camera is cleaned of any smudges or dust that can corrupt the image.

We’ll continue this series in Part 2 covering Your Attire and Your Posture and Body Language.

Bottom line: you want your on-camera performance to lead to a job offer, promotion, sale or stronger relationship. Follow these tips to project the confidence and trust that will make employers and customers want to invest in you and what you offer.

The above was excerpted from the 5th Edition of Job Search Readiness Assessment Development Guide, explaining over 2,100 job search best practices.