You might feel like you have job interview etiquette all figured out.

You know that you should always do plenty of prep, research the company and turn up ten minutes early. Yet with Covid putting in-person interactions on hold, and more and more employers turning to Zoom or Skype to vet potential candidates, it could be time to revisit everything that you know.

Video interviews have become increasingly popular in recent years as a more efficient way to chat to potential employees without them having to make a long journey into the office. But social distancing measures mean that the move to virtual interviewing has sped up. We spoke to careers expert Amanda Augustine from TopCV to find out her top tips for acing your video interview.

Be mindful of your body language

When you’re not interviewing in-person, you will need to put in more effort to convey your personality and connect with the person on the other side of the screen. Be aware of your facial expressions and body language – make eye contact throughout the interview and lean in slightly toward the laptop to engage your interviewer. Also, don’t forget to smile when responding to your interviewer’s questions! It may seem obvious, but people who smile are perceived to be more friendly, energetic and positive. By flashing an authentic smile, you'll show the recruiter that you would bring a positive attitude to the team.

Interestingly, this tactic also works during phone interviews too; research has shown that a smile can be detected based only on the changes in a person’s tone of voice. 

Dress as though it were an in-person interview

The same rules apply for a video interview as they would during an in-person interview. Dress as though you were interviewing at the company’s office, keeping the company culture in mind. The video interview might only show the top half of your body, but you should always play it safe and put on the bottom half of your interview outfit, as well. The last thing you want to do is get caught out for failing to put on trousers like this US news presenter during a video interview from his home. Not only will this help you avoid a potentially embarrassing and damaging interview situation, but wearing your interview outfit can also help you get into the right mindset for the conversation.

Get creative with your workspace

You may find that your dedicated home office is not the best place to participate in video interviews. Bad lighting and distracting backgrounds will turn your interviewer’s focus away from what really matters – your remarkable qualifications and winning personality.

Test a few options around your home at the same time of day as your scheduled interview to find a space that’s quiet, clutter-free and well-lit. Depending on the direction your windows face and the time of your interview, you may need to close the blinds ahead of time so your face isn’t covered with lines halfway through your video call. You might also want to invest in a reliable pair of noise-cancelling headphones to allow you to stay focused on the interview, and ensure your interviewer can hear you clearly throughout the conversation.

Perform a dress rehearsal

Acquaint yourself with the technology you’ll be using for the interview. Download the necessary software or app to ensure that everything is working properly and is up-to-date. Then, perform a test run with a friend to make sure that your Wi-Fi signal is strong enough and that your phone or laptop is at the proper height and angle — no one wants to stare up your nose or down on your forehead during a video call. Books, empty boxes and plastic storage containers can help you achieve the right set-up when your desk alone is insufficient. This will also give you an opportunity to practice the right body language that will help you build rapport with your interviewer. 

Be prepared to stand out

The best way to stand out during your video interview is to show up for your virtual meeting ready to answer the interviewer’s questions with confidence and to ask thoughtful ones of your own. Carefully review the job description again, thoroughly research the organisation and your interviewers and use your own network of contacts for additional insights into the company’s hiring process and corporate culture. Lastly, follow up with each of your interviewers by crafting a thoughtful, personalised thank-you email that reiterates your interest in the role and summarises why you’re a good fit for the vacancy.