Other top tips

Maintain good eye-contact

Eye-contact via a webcam is difficult, but possible.

You are likely to find that you will have a habit of looking at your own video while speaking - this is okay as long as where your video is displaying is close to your camera. However, it would be great to practice focusing on the interviewer themselves to read their responses and push further in areas that seem to impress them.

When answering questions, balance looking into the camera with looking at the interviewer. It is important to find this balance as if you fail to make any eye-contact with the camera you may struggle to come across as personable. On the other hand, staring directly into the camera for the entirety of the video interview may become a little too intense.

Ensure that whatever you do, your camera is not situated on/above another screen to the one you are looking. We will have more guidance on this on our set up article.

Aim for 70% camera, 30% interviewer.

Body language

This is likely the first opportunity that the recruiter has to seen you physically as you talk and express yourself.

Use this to your advantage. Maintain good posture, don't slouch.

Use hand gestures and motions to provide emphasis while you are speaking, ensuring that they are at least somewhat picked up on camera.

Pausing is okay!

A pause in your speech will seem far longer to you than it will to anyone else. If you need a moment to think or to breathe, take the moment.

Ensure you have a full glass/bottle of water next to you and feel free to drink from it rather than suffering with a dry throat after speaking for extended periods.

Nod and Smile

When you're listening, either to comments or to a question, let the recruiter know that they have your full attention by nodding and smiling where appropriate. Keeping your eyes on the screen.

Don't ramble

Keep your answers clear and to the point. If you find that you are stretching for things to add or to say, its likely that you are extending further than is needed.

The interviewer will pick up on this and it may remove time for questions that you would have clearer, more extensive responses for.

‍