🎥 Video Interviews

Consider Your Lighting, Sound, and Location 

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

💡 PART 1: LIGHTING💡

The lighting in your space is important for a video interview since it affects how the interviewer observes and perceives you. Interviewing from a dingy basement, dimly lit room, or a kitchen that presents fluorescent glare can have a dramatic effect on the quality of your video and overall image. One thing is for sure: you do not want the interviewer to awkwardly ask if you can move to a brighter space. 

While your space may not be perfect, the best way to mitigate the effects of bad lighting is to control the lighting in your space. Incorporating natural light is the most ideal.

Consider sitting in front of a window so your face is brightened, and you are viewable by the camera. Be mindful if it is too sunny – you do not want to squint!

A correspondingly great option is a ring light, or a similar portable light, that can rest in front of you but behind the camera or laptop. This light should not be seen by the person on the other end of the camera but simply enhances your appearance in the video. If neither of those options are readily available, opt for placing a light above you versus below.

🔊 PART 2: Sound  🔊

Sound is equally, if not more important, than lighting. There are several basic elements to consider when it comes to sound. 

✔️ How well the interviewer can hear you.  
✔️ How well you can hear the interviewer.  
✔️ If there is background noise. 

It is understood that if the speakers cannot hear each other, then the interview cannot or will not be conducted.

Be sure to check your speaker input and output before the call and ensure you are not muted during the call.

Note: interviewers may mute themselves while you respond to a question since they take notes during the interview. 

In addition, it is crucial to have a sense of your background noise. For example, while coffee shops can be suitable places to work from, they prove tricky for video calls since conversations are occurring and steaming lattes are being made in the background.

To the best of your ability, go into a quiet room or workspace that keeps background noise to a minimum, so both you and the interviewer are easy to hear.

Utilizing headphones or Airpods helps with this too!

📍 Location 📍

Last, but not least, is the location of your video interview. Candidates consistently interview from:

-- a bed
-- a messy bedroom
-- a dirty kitchen
-- other distracting places

These are outright inappropriate for a professional interview. Do not fall victim to this.

Arguably, finding the right location for your interview is one of the most controllable aspects to a video call (compared to sound and lighting).

Look at the spaces around you: your background should be clean, neat, and professionally appropriate. If you need to, blur your camera, or add a fitting virtual background.

If you would not feel comfortable having an employer conduct an in-person interview in your space, then that space is not right for Zoom call either.

Similarly, you should not interview from your car unless it is necessary. If this is how you must interview during a work break, then clearly communicate that with your interviewer ahead of time.

As you consider where you engage in the interview, be mindful of how you face the camera and how much of your face or shoulders can be seen. The camera should point directly at your face, not the side, not from below, not from above.

Occasionally, this is disrupted by the angle of the laptop camera but, try to avoid awkward angles. Speaking of angles, do not become a “floating head” in the camera; your shoulders and head should be fully in the camera view.  
 
In general, strive to be sitting at a desk or table with a blank wall, organized office space, or bookshelf behind you. 

Going through the application and interview process is difficult enough. Do not hamper your chances of progressing to the next step in the process because you did not control what you should have for a video call.

Remember, bright lighting creates a vivid image, working speakers generate unmistakable sound, and proper backgrounds make for a professional location. Combined, these elements will make a positive impact on the interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job. 

Best of luck with your interview!