Prepare for an IT video interview

Looking for a new IT job?

Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams-based IT job interviews are becoming more and more commonplace.

So it’s highly likely that you’ll be expected to do one at one point or another.

While video interviews certainly have their advantages, they also have a lot of extra variables to consider compared to a traditional in-person meeting.

If you’ve been asked to do a video interview and you’re serious about the role, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible.

Luckily, we’ve prepared our top 11 IT job interview tips for video calls below.

1. Prepare your interview environment in advance
2. Ensure you’re using a professional user account
3. Think about using a virtual background
4. Run a demo of your setup before the interview
5. Practise looking into the webcam
6. Keep your notes brief and out of shot
7. Join the call a few minutes early
8. Dress like it’s a regular interview
9. Communicate with confidence
10. Keep calm if something goes awry
11. Follow up after the call

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1. Prepare your interview environment in advance

Since flexible working arrangements are quite prevalent in the IT sector, conducting your interview from your home office is a great option. Aside from being the most professional location, it demonstrates to the hiring manager that you have a functioning work from home setup.

If you don’t have a home office, your bedroom, kitchen, or dining room might be suitable locations. Whatever environment you pick, make sure there’s no clutter or distractions in the background (after all, you want the interviewer’s attention to be solely focused on you). If you have children, pets, or housemates that may be a distraction, the best place to conduct your video interview is in a room where you can close the door and concentrate. Let your friends and family know when you’ll be having your video interview so they can avoid coming in or arrange for kids and pets to be elsewhere, so the chance of any potential distraction is minimised.

Ideally, you should be using a PC with a webcam for the interview, but if you must utilise a phone or tablet, be sure you have a sturdy stand or something comparable. You should not attempt to conduct the interview while holding a device since you are likely to inadvertently shake the camera, which can be highly distracting for the interviewer.

Also, consider the lighting in your interview area and make sure it’s bright enough for the interviewer to observe you clearly. Avoid placing a bright light directly behind or in front of you since this may make it difficult for you and the interviewer to see each other.

2. Ensure you’re using a professional user account for the video call

Regardless of the software used for the video call, create a professional user account using your complete name and a clear, professional photo of yourself. This may appear to be a minor detail, but first impressions matter, and utilising an unprofessional username or profile image might kill your chances of getting the job before the call even begins.

3. Think about using a virtual background

If you’re concerned about the quality of your webcam’s backdrop, you can always blur or replace it with a stock background image. Common video interview applications like Zoom and Microsoft Teams allow you to change your background with a virtual picture or completely obscure it with ease.

4. Run a demo of your setup well before the interview

When it comes to IT video interview tips, the most vital thing we can suggest you do is that you test your equipment well before the call. Don’t make the error of thinking your setup will work first try without testing it. Practise making calls with friends or relatives to ensure that your audio quality, picture quality, and internet connection are satisfactory. When it comes to any job, failing to check for and resolve any equipment problems before your video interview would appear very unprofessional, but it’s even more detrimental in the technology sector, where you’d be expected to know better.

This is also an excellent time to examine how you appear and sound while responding to interview questions remotely. Try filming yourself as you go through some practice questions and see how your body language and tone translate over a webcam. If feasible, get feedback from the individual with whom you’re doing your practice calls.

5. Practise looking into the webcam

When preparing for your video interview, it’s a good idea to practise keeping eye contact with the actual webcam. You must demonstrate that 100% of your attention is on the interviewer and that you are not being distracted by your own image in the corner. Also, don’t forget to practise smiling at the camera to create rapport with your interviewer.

6. Keep your notes brief and out of shot

One excellent benefit of video interviews is that you can refer to helpful notes that you have placed strategically off-screen. Of course, these notes should only be brief reminders in case you get stumped on a question. If it’s apparent that you’re reading something lengthy, it might give the impression that you aren’t well prepared for the interview.

7. Join the call a few minutes early

Prepare at least 10 minutes ahead of time, just as you would for a traditional in-person interview. Someone hiring for a technology position is almost certainly doing lots of interviews, so you don’t want to waste any of their time. Jump in the call a few minutes early so that when the interviewer joins, you’re already set and eager to get started.

8. Dress like it’s a regular interview

Wondering what to wear to an IT job interview over video call? Easy - dress how you would for an in-person interview. Dressing formally isn’t just tasteful; it will boost your self-assurance and put you in the proper frame of mind for a formal conversation.

9. Communicate with confidence through the webcam

Projecting self-assurance is critical for any interview, but it’s especially important during a video call. It’s much more difficult for an interviewer to read your body language over a video chat, so be sure you’re actively listening and engaged by asking questions and expressing yourself confidently.

10. Keep calm if something goes awry

Plenty of unexpected hiccups can occur during a video interview, and your interviewer is well aware of that (they’ve probably seen their fair share of awkward situations). Don’t get scared if the connection drops or another issue arises beyond your control. This is your chance to exhibit how you deal with unexpected circumstances and remain cool under pressure.

To prepare for the common issue of your Wi-Fi connection dropping out, have a backup in place (such as using your smartphone as a hotspot).

11. Follow up after the call

After the video interview, send a follow-up email to the interviewer thanking them for their time and informing them that you enjoyed talking with them and learning about the position. Remember to mention that you’re eager to hear back from them about the next steps.
There you have it, our top 11 IT video interview tips. While they may not be your preferred method, video interviews are an inevitable part of the modern job-search process (particularly for tech jobs), so you might as well get good at them!

Looking for more help finding your next IT job? Discover more of our IT interview tips and advice, or contact your local Hays office to get in touch with a dedicated recruitment consultant.