8 Key Tips to Nailing a Phone or Video Interview

8 Key Tips to Nailing a Phone or Video Interview 8 Key Tips to Nailing a Phone or Video Interview Your palms sweat. Your mouth feels dry. You feel a bit shaky. No, you’re not going on a first date; you’re just going on a job interview. But yes, sometimes those two things can feel the same! Job interviews can trip up even the most confident job seekers. That’s why you should always practice before an interview so that you build the necessary confidence to crush it. That said, there are some similarities and definite differences when it comes to phone or video interviews (and if you’re applying for a remote job, chances are you might have to do a video interview). So take your best interview suit out of storage, and sit down to read these key tips to nailing a phone interview, a video interview, or both! Here are some tips for preparing for a phone or video interview: 1. Keep it quiet. Imagine sitting down to talk to a potential employer- and the doorbell suddenly rings. This sets off your Schnauzer, who starts barking like crazy. Which then wakes up your snoozing baby, as you stumble down the hallway to quiet them both (read: Robert Kelly BBC interview). To prep for a job interview, make sure to put your pets away, and if you have small children at home, hire a sitter or have a friend come take them out for a little bit so you can conduct your interview in peace and quiet. 2. Prioritize your paperwork. There’s nothing worse than shuffling through a pile of papers on your desk to use as reference for your job interview. If you’re doing a video interview, it could make you look sloppy, and if you’re doing a phone interview, well, the sound of rustling papers can be annoying. All you really need in terms of paperwork is your resume, the job listing, and some talking points or possible questions you might have for the employer. Three pieces of paper. That’s it. 3. Take a breather. During any kind of interview, it’s easy to feel awkward if there are pauses between questions and answers. So be prepared to wait a second or two for your interviewer to ask you another question, or when you feel that you’ve answered a question accurately, take a moment for your interviewer to process what you’ve said and give him time to comment. 4. Remember to smile. Even if you’re doing a phone interview and your interviewer won’t see you, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t smile. Smiling as you speak can actually affect your tone and create a more uplifting inflection in your voice. It can actually make you feel more positive and friendly! 5. Write it down. Let’s say that your interviewer gives you a great piece of advice or a contact name and number for you to follow up with. But where’s your pen? Ahhh, here’s one! Ack, no ink! Instead of scrambling for a writing tool (or worse, trying to remember the information), make sure to have a pen that works right next to you to jot down any information that your interviewer gives you (like future colleagues’ names or email addresses), or to take a note in case you’re afraid you might forget it après interview. 6. Test your tech. Before any interview, you should always make sure that your equipment is functioning. If you’re doing a phone interview, check your phone to see if you’re in a possible dead zone, and if you’re going to have a video interview, check your Internet connection to make sure it’s fast and furious. Ensure that you can easily access your Skype or whatever videoconferencing tool you’re using to connect with your interviewer. You can always do a test run with a friend to make sure your settings (like your mic and camera) are all working. 7. Clean it up. Clutter is a productivity killer, but it can also ruin your chances with a potential employer, too. Why? If an employer sees a messy desk, he might think that it’s a reflection of your work ethic and that your work will be subpar, too. So before the interview, organize your home office. Clear off your desk of all the clutter, coffee cups, and the plethora of personal items. You don’t have to make over your office into a minimalist’s dream, but it should look professional and clean. 8. Sit up straight. Your mother told you a million times to sit up straight and never to slouch, and here’s the reason why: if you possess good posture, it can help you look more confident and believable. You should pay attention to your posture whether you’re doing a phone or video interview, since it can affect how you speak. And if you’re doing a video interview, try to make as much eye contact with the camera as possible, and not your screen. Doing interviews is an important part of the job hiring process. Ace yours by practicing these tips, and you’ll be prepared for any video or phone interview! Looking for more job interview advice? Check out our job interviewing tips category!