Video and Phone Interview Advice
by Laura Robinson
• Published 03/11/2022
Video and phone interviews have been around for years, but after the pandemic more businesses have adopted virtual interviews. That’s why we thought we’d give you some of our top tips and advice for video and phone interviews.
As with any interview, make sure you know the job description inside out as this will give you some indication as to what types of questions you may be asked. You’ll also be able to ask some relevant questions at the end e.g. “the job descriptions mentions…what would this entail/what systems would I be using for this?”
One of the most important parts of preparing for an interview is thinking of relevant examples of a time you have previously demonstrated the skills mentioned in the job description. Or even think of some generic ones you think would be suitable for the role but aren’t mentioned in the job description. For example creativity or copywriting skills are essential for any Marketing role, so think of a really strong example of a time you’ve demonstrated these, such as during Uni, in a previous role or if you have a blog.
Make some brief notes you can scan without hesitating or taking too long to read. If it’s a video interview, you could make some bullet points on your laptop that you can quickly scan but make sure you maintain eye contact and avoid looking like you’re reading anything. Remember they’re only prompts so keep them as brief as possible, they’re just there to prompt you if you get stuck.
Researching the company you’re interviewing with will help set you apart from any competition. Interviewers will always be impressed if they can see you’ve done your homework and taken the time to look into the company and learn about them. The best places to look are the company’s LinkedIn profile or ‘news’ section of their website to find out their latest news and updates. For example if the Marketing team has just won an award, mention how you’d love to join the “Marketing team of the year 2022”. This will show you’ve done your research and you’re staying up to date with the business’s news and achievements before you’ve even got there.
Make sure to send a follow up email within 48 hours of your interview thanking the interviewers for their time. It’s also good to mention that after your interview and learning more about the company and role you feel you’d be a great team fit and be successful in the role.
Your interviewer won’t be able to see you if it’s a phone interview, so make sure to sound positive and cheerful. Answer the phone in a friendly but professional manner and maintain this throughout your interview. A simple trick is to smile when answering questions as it’s proven this can be heard in your voice. Also make sure you have a strong phone signal and have no background noise.
- Make sure your background is suitable, a plain wall would be best
- Check you have a strong internet connection and double check your webcam and audio work well
- Dress appropriately as you would for an interview in person
- Silence or turn off your phone/laptop notifications
- Have a notebook handy to make any notes
- Have a glass of water next to you
- Maintain eye contact throughout, especially when answering questions
Best of luck if you have an upcoming interview!
