Video interviews can be a stressful experience. Even though you are connecting virtually, you’re still under the spotlight and speaking to a screen full of strangers.  Also, it can feel like the interviewers hold all the cards when it comes to controlling the interview outcome. Let me explain why that’s not the case and why you’re in control of most of the process.

I've noticed that most people focus on the few aspects of the interview that they can't control. But, for the most part, the only thing that you can’t control is what questions you’re asked. That’s it. Pretty much everything else is within your control. You see, you can control your preparation, mindset, how you deal with your nervousness, your response to those questions and your actual performance. That’s quite a lot of control you have.

 

Following my years of experience on both sides of an interview and as a career coach, here are the five steps you can take to put yourself in control of your job interview success:

1.    Get the practical issues right

When it comes to the practical issues you are in full control. So, it’s important that you make sure all the practical details are handled. This includes choosing an appropriate interview ‘space’ where you won’t be disturbed, with good internet connectivity. You will also want to make sure you have good lighting and audio and ideally have a relatively plain background.

 

Set up your interview space to be your command-and-control centre. You’re in charge of the interview and your workspace, which will be invisible to the interviewers, should reflect this. This means you should use the area around, in front of and behind your screen for visual prompts. Prompts can include:

 

-       Bullet points of your background

-       Examples of successful projects

-       How you have used certain required competencies in previous roles

-       How you manage a team

-       What questions you want to ask

-       Your prepared responses to questions (see below)

-       Etc.

 

You might also want to put an inspirational quote in your eye-line to keep your confidence and motivation levels high.

 

TIP On the pad in front of you create a space for the names of the interviewers. This will help you to remember to make a note of their names.

 

2.    Control your nerves and show up with confidence

 

It’s very important for you to remember that your worth is not connected to the outcome of the interview. I start with this point because we often make the interview to be something that it isn’t. Yes, it could be a new job or opportunity and there may be many reasons why we’re keen to succeed. However, we don’t need interview success to confirm our self-worth.

The second important thing to remember is that nerves are not a bad thing. On the contrary, some nervous energy helps you to become a better interviewee. With your brain engaged and your senses heightened, you can make connections quicker and respond better to questions. 

I always recommend that just before the interview, you practice your power poses, attributable to Amy Cuddy. When you do get seated, before the interview begins, breathe in through your nose slowly for a count of three. Then breathe out through your nose for a count of five. Repeat this three times. That should take you a total of 24 seconds and you will have significantly lowered your heart rate and will be ready for your interview to begin.

 

Try to be relaxed, authentic and confident. It's just a discussion! I recommend leaning slightly forward in your chair. You'll look and feel more dynamic if you sit in this position.

 

When the interview starts, try to turn up the enthusiasm, particularly when you answer questions about how you have done something positive. Interviewers like it when interviewees show up with a positive and enthusiastic approach.

 

3.    Research likely Interview Questions

Every interview is different, and it would be foolish for me to make a list of all likely questions. Here are some tips to research likely questions.

 

-       Look at the job advertisement and the job and person specification and see what things are repeated in each case. Organisations tend to repeat important aspects in their recruitment materials. 

-       What general themes tend to come up in the industry you work in?

-       What sort of things would lead to success in this role? Think from an organisational point of view what these might be

-       Think about what you will be doing in the role and how you can achieve success

-       What are some of the challenges you might face in the role?

 

Once you have considered these points create model responses in advance. If you're likely to be asked a question that requires a competency-based response, remember the STAR technique to plan your answer.

 

 

This helps you deal with questions like …

 

-       Describe a situation when

-       Give me an example of a time when

-       Tell me about

-       What have been your biggest achievements?

 

Pre-prepare some examples which you can use in your responses using the STAR approach

 

 

4.    Find ways to add value

 

Adding value in an interview is one of the secrets I share with my clients. Where you can, always look to provide some added value in the interview. This just means providing something additional the interviewers weren’t expecting. This could be:

 

-       100-day plan for when you start

-       An Action Plan for success

-       A communications plan to get stakeholders on board

 

These don’t need to be much more than well thought out checklists that are well presented.

 

 

5.    End the Interview well

Ending the interview well isn’t just about asking questions at the end, although I think one or two ‘easy to answer’ questions are a good idea. Ending the interview well is about leaving a lasting and positive impression of yourself as a worthy candidate. 

The way you can do this is by ending with a declarative statement. Something along the lines of:

 

 

It doesn’t particularly matter on the exact wording, what’s more important is the sentiment at the end. You are grateful for an opportunity to be interviewed and if you are chosen, it will be a good choice. Said with enthusiasm this is very powerful ending to your interview.

 

I hope you have shown you that when it comes to your interview you are in control of most of the process. So, Lights, Camera, Action! – Go smash that interview!

 

If you are interested in finding out more about career coaching with me have a look at my website to see the many ways I can help you in your career.

 

If you are unsure about career coaching, let’s have an informal chat.

 

Bye for now!

 

Mark