Video interviews are increasingly popular among employers. According to a survey by the Institute of Student Employers, 49% of graduate employers now use them, up from just 6% in 2012.
BT is looking into new technology that can allow grad scheme applicants to do the entire interview process from their phones. “We have significantly high volumes of applicants, so we had to think of better, easier and faster ways to communicate,” says a spokesperson.
Without having to hold physical interviews, which are expensive to run, recruiters are able to widen the pool and give candidates that may not otherwise be pulled in for interview the chance to impress.
But this also makes it one of the most competitive stages. “They are becoming increasingly popular and used as a way to help filter the potentially vast number of applicants,” says James Catchpole, director of the legal practice course at City University.
The format can vary. Some are live conversations via Skype or FaceTime. Most have a question pop up on screen with a minute to prepare an answer and another 60 seconds to respond before it’s on to the next one.
So how should you approach it? We spoke to recruiters, careers advisors and people who have made it through the process to get some handy tips.
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Think about where you record. Most do it in their bedroom, which is fine. However, be conscious of your backdrop and dress smartly. “Find a neutral wall with no clutter and avoid having an unmade bed or dressing gown on the door,” says Helen Frost, careers consultant at the University of Manchester.
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Make sure your webcam and mic work. “My laptop was broken, so I had to borrow one from the uni library,” says Steven Mcbride, 24 from Corby, who is on the BT graduate scheme. “It caused a lot of stress.”
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Imagine you’re conversing face-to-face. Frost says body language is important. “Lean into the camera to show you’re engaged, use hand gestures and try to smile. Don’t be afraid to show your personality,” she says. “Keep the recruiter’s interest and be genuine.”
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Practise being recorded. “I felt very nervous and anxious doing it the first time,” says Elliott Neary from Leicester, who is now on a marketing grad scheme. “I felt like I was being put on the spot. Try and get used to speaking to the camera.”
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Maintain your enthusiasm. Some video assessments can have as many as 10 questions. Make eye contact throughout and don’t put your head down.
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Think about timing. Keep your answers short and to the point.
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Use prompts. The dullest interviews are those where answers are too rehearsed, read from a script, or said in a monotone voice. That said, the set amount of thinking time (usually around 60 seconds) allows you to make notes so keep a notepad and pen handy. Prepare notes beforehand and stick them to the wall to reference in case you get stuck.
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Draw on your experiences and think beyond the classroom. “If you’ve volunteered while at university or been part of a sports team, it’s important to highlight how you’ve worked towards a shared goal,” advises Kelly Stokes, recruitment director at Aldi.
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Finish strong. Most interviews will include a final minute or two for additional information. Use this to talk about anything relevant you might have missed. For instance, you could let them know if you’re on track for a strong degree classification. At the very least, make sure you draw the interview to a close (as you would in a face-to-face situation) by thanking them for the opportunity, reiterating how keen you are, or saying that you’re looking forward to hearing back from them. If you do stumble on a question, take a deep breath and do your best for the next one. “I remember thinking, ‘Well, I’ve failed that one,’” says Mcbride. “But it was the one I ended up getting.”
