Video interviewing insights

Transition Assistance Senior Manager JoAnne Fink, Deloitte Services LP, offers the following guidance to help you prepare. 

Prepare your laptop/tablet/desktop

• Raise your device so that it’s at eye level.
• Make sure you are not facing a window or you will become “washed out” on the video display for the interviewer.
• Conversely, make sure you have some soft light casting on you from the front of you so that the interviewer can see you clearly.
• Ensure the area behind you is appropriate. No piles of clothes or messy background for the interviewer to see. If needed, pick up your device and move to another area.

Make the most of your appearance

• Don’t assume you will only need to wear business attire from the waist up. Take the time to get fully dressed or you may risk an embarrassing interview moment.
• Try and steer clear of stark white shirts, as well as bright colors or intricate patterns. Pastel-colored shirts are a nice alternative for both men and women.
• For women, try and keep your accessories to a minimum and your makeup professional. “Statement necklaces” are great for a night out at the club, but can be distracting to someone interviewing you.
• Perform a test of looking into the video camera on your laptop; are you looking right into the camera or right at your interviewer? What are your hand gestures like? Are any of your movements distracting? Doing a test with a family member or friend prior to your interview can help you get comfortable with eye contact and body language.

Insights for during the interview

• Keep in mind that an interviewer can easily see your body language during a video interview so keep this in mind when gesturing or considering eye contact.
• Don’t get too relaxed. Maintain good posture.
• Don’t become obsessed about looking at yourself during the interview. Video interviews are sort of like 2-way mirrors. Keep focused on your interviewer.
• Do post your resume, reminders of stories, notes about your experiences behind your laptop so you can quickly sneak a glance to help during your interview. Take some time to think through three to five key things you want to get across to the interviewer.