Video interviews are no longer a trend but rather an important human resources tool and the new way of performing first-round interviews. Thanks to programs like Skype that make this technology easy, affordable and efficient, video interviews are only going to improve and grow in their usage. Learn Jim Lord's and Sami Barry's tips for making sure your video interview goes smoothly.

1. NOVEMBER 2012
Tips for Making a Good Impression
During a Video Interview
I
f
you
are
a
job
seeker
or
a
hiring
manager,
you
know
that
video
interviews
are
no
longer
considered
a
trend
in
hiring.
They
have
become
an
important
human
resources
tool
and
the
new
way
of
performing
first-­‐round
job
interviews.
Their
popularity
is
only
going
to
increase,
especially
when
companies
like
Skype
are
making
this
technology
easier,
more
affordable
and
more
efficient.
Take
a
few
moments
to
consider
the
benefits
of
conducting
Skype
interviews
for
hiring
organizations.
This
technology
saves
them
time
and
money
by
decreasing
the
amount
of
time
that
hiring
managers
spend
performing
first
interviews
only
to
weed
out
non-­‐qualified
job
applicants.
It
also
saves
on
interviewing
costs
of
candidates
who
are
not
local
and
who
would
have
to
travel
to
interviews.
Another
valuable
benefit
is
that
there
is
now
a
recording
feature
on
Skype
which
allows
hiring
managers
to
share
video
interviews
with
colleagues
and
clients,
thus
saving
other
people
time
and
cutting
additional
costs.
These
advantages
are
widely
known
in
most
business
sectors.
In
2010,
only
10%
of
companies
were
using
video
as
part
of
their
hiring
processes.
Current
statistics
show
that
42%
of
organizations
are
utilizing
Skype
for
first-­‐round
interviews
of
prospective
employees,
a
significant
increase
in
just
two
years.
With
numbers
like
these
and
with
technology
advancing
so
quickly,
knowing
how
to
do
video
interviews
is
a
critical
skill
for
today’s
job
seekers.
As
executive
search
consultants,
we
understand
the
value
of
this
technology
and
have
performed
initial
interviews
with
candidates
via
Skype
at
client
requests.
Although
we
are
still
improving
our
own
skills
at
using
Skype,
below
are
things
that
we
found
are
important
for
making
a
good
impression
during
a
video
interview.
Skype Set Up:
‣ If
you
are
new
to
setting
up
Skype
on
your
computer,
the
download
is
very
easy.
The
part
you
have
to
give
more
thought
to
is
your
Skype
Name.
This
should
be
treated
the
same
as
your
email
address.
Choose
a
user
name
that
is
professional.
While
the
most
common
user
name
on
Skype
is
simply
a
person’s
name,
yours
may
not
be
available.
If
that
is
the
case,
Charles
Purdy,
senior
editor
and
career
expert
with
monster.com,
recommends
that
you
try
your
name
combined
with
your
industry
or
profession.
Technical Set Up:
‣ Make
sure
your
internet
speed
is
sufficient
and
that
the
video
and
audio
sync
correctly.
If
your
wireless
connection
is
slow,
you
may
want
to
try
to
plug
your
computer
directly
into
the
Internet
cable.
A
slow
connection
can
cause
glitches
in
video
and
audio
which
can
be
distracting.
‣ Set
your
camera
up
so
that
you
are
speaking
directly
to
it
while
still
looking
at
the
computer
screen.
This
will
promote
a
more
natural
face-­‐to-­‐face
conversation.
Otherwise,
you
will
have
to
choose
between
speaking
to
the
camera
and
viewing
the
other
party.
You
also
want
to
position
the
camera
so
that
an
interviewer
can
see
you
from
the
waist
up,
including
your
hands.
This
is
important
for
understanding
body
language
and
non-­‐verbal
cues.
‣ Keep
your
computer
plugged
in
so
that
you
do
not
run
out
of
battery.
‣ Close
other
programs
on
your
computer
including
your
email
so
that
they
do
not
make
noises.
Also,
turn
your
cell
phone
on
silent.
‣ In
case
of
technical
difficulties,
have
your
phone
nearby
in
case
the
interview
mode
changes.

2. NOVEMBER 2012
Lighting:
‣ Ensure
that
you
have
adequate
lighting
and
do
not
appear
to
be
sitting
in
the
dark.
Do
not
over
light
your
area
or
use
high-­‐powered
fluorescent
lighting
because
they
can
make
you
appear
‘washed
out’.
‣ Do
not
sit
with
a
window
or
a
light
behind
you.
If
you
have
to
sit
with
a
window
behind
you,
use
adequate
curtains
or
shades.
Otherwise,
there
will
be
a
glare
and
you
will
appear
as
a
silhouette.
‣ Having
a
lamp
about
4
–
6
feet
in
front
of
you
is
a
good
option
because
it
can
balance
the
lighting.
Setting & Dress:
‣ Skype
from
a
quiet
location,
preferably
sitting
at
a
desk
or
conference
table.
Give
attention
to
your
background
as
you
do
not
want
to
show
a
cluttered
office
or
that
you
are
in
a
coffee
shop
or
café.
‣ If
you
are
Skyping
from
your
home,
make
sure
your
home
telephone
is
turned
off
and
there
are
no
children
or
pets
that
could
interrupt
you.
‣ Dress
professionally
as
if
you
are
interviewing
in
person.
Do
not
just
wear
a
shirt
and
tie
as
you
never
know
if
you
might
have
to
stand
up
during
the
interview.
Solid
colors
work
best
when
video
interviewing
and
the
best
colors
to
wear
are
usually
shades
of
blue.
Prints
and
stripes
do
not
always
show
up
well
and
bright
hues
may
pick
up
too
much
color
which
will
make
you
appear
pale.
Communication:
‣ Tell
the
other
party
if
it
is
your
first
time
doing
a
video
interview.
It
is
better
to
be
honest
than
to
appear
uncomfortable
or
nervous.
‣ Remember
to
look
at
the
camera
instead
of
the
other
person’s
picture.
Otherwise,
they
will
not
see
you
looking
directly
at
them.
This
is
difficult
to
get
used
to
the
first
few
times.
‣ Seeing
yourself
on
the
screen
can
be
distracting
so
you
may
want
to
cover
the
view
of
yourself.
Also,
remember
not
to
look
at
yourself
on
the
screen
and
make
adjustments
to
your
hair
or
face.
This
is
also
something
that
takes
a
few
times
to
get
accustomed
to.
‣ Reactions
translate
very
differently
on-­‐screen
so
it
is
important
to
compensate
with
extra
enthusiasm
and
concise
answers.
Talk
slowly
and
succinctly,
and
wait
until
the
other
person
is
done
speaking
before
you
reply.
‣ Remember
that
nothing
is
more
engaging
than
a
friendly
expression
or
smile.
‣ Have
fun
and
try
to
be
yourself.
Technology
works
best
when
it
is
in
the
background
and
you
can
focus
on
the
conversation.
Taking
all
of
these
tips
into
consideration,
be
sure
to
do
a
trial
run
with
a
friend
or
colleague
a
few
days
before
an
interview
to
gather
their
constructive
criticism
on
all
of
the
above,
including
the
volume
of
your
voice.
And
make
sure
you
do
it
from
the
same
location
you
will
be
interviewing
from.
Although
interviewing
candidates
by
video
cannot
replace
face-­‐to-­‐face
meetings,
it
provides
organizations
immense
benefits,
especially
for
first-­‐round
interviews.
This
technology
is
here
to
stay
and
is
only
going
to
improve
and
grow
in
its
usage.
So,
as
a
job
seeker,
if
you
think
that
it
is
unlikely
that
you
will
ever
have
to
do
a
video
interview,
think
again.
You
may
be
doing
it
sooner
than
you
think.
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