How to Ace Your Video Interview | WSJ

Preparing for a video interview requires research, practice and set design. Career coach Ashlee Anderson, who’s been working from home for 10 years, tells you how to prepare-and make eye-contact through a screen. Photo: Adam Falk/The Wall Street Journal
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[@ZHC_Adventures]

I would also recommend printing out a copy of your resume and any reference material and sticking it next to you to glance at or creating an outline for things you want to cover.

[@abualzuaree]

Thanks

[@adityamishra6252]

I actually disagree on the Headphone part. I'd rather have good audio with a decent mic during an interview. If a company rejects you because you were wearing headphones, I'd say you dodged a bullet

[@federicomontesdeoca8977]

totally agree

[@TheTalisman515]

If you don’t wear headphones you get audio feedback from speakers that will mess up your audio

[@benjaminshapiro1618]

​@@TheTalisman515 I think wearing headphones especially certain types of headphones can make you look unprofessional. I've never had feedback issues when using the laptop's speaker for a video call

[@beckmcnulty8491]

“don’t use headphones or microphone” yeah i wanna hear feedback and a baby crying u right.

[@kthog3348]

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[@monata.]

@@kthog3348 How do I do that?

[@YoTeeFan]

This was super helpful, I am a very visual person, using the "props" during this clip really helped me out to see what not to do or what to do with explaining what was going on in that exact moment, at my church, my pastor uses props when explaining a bible verse and me being the visual learner that I am helps me tremendously learn and understand being a visual learner! This was done greatly!

[@connorminney4691]

I disagree with the headphones. I’m more concerned with clearly hearing the interviewee.

[@lamhanyaoBryan]

Thank you soo much!! I’ve got a virtual interview tomorrow 😭😭

[@gokuldas027]

"Use External speakers and Microphones in Computer!!" REALLY??

[@mrnarason]

I think that maybe some wired headphones make you look a little bit dorky, so use airpods or some wireless earbuds

[@geoffk777]

Honestly, you won't go wrong by wearing a suit, even if the interviewer is dressed casually. Just say, "I think it's appropriate to wear business attire for a first interview." and you'll probably score points for trying to be serious.

[@federicomontesdeoca8977]

it really depends on the position though

[@geoffk777]

@@federicomontesdeoca8977 I suppose that there are industries and positions where this is so, but for a corporate job, even at a junior level, a suit is a sign that you're serious, clean and business-like. Maybe you can get away without it, but it's the safest option, even for someone like a programmer, who may not usually wear them. I was a systems administrator in an investment bank, and we commonly wore suits while crawling around under desks and carrying computers. Because it was a business setting, and that's what you wear for it.

[@natalilo85331]

Not at a creative agency in Brooklyn. No way you get the job in a suit.

[@MrFelipecheca]

perfect timing, thank you, especially the internet speed & camera info!

[@SardorKirck]

Really on time! Thanks! I have a college interview tomorrow. :)

[@TonyGanzerMedia]

As a long-time radio guy I disagree with the comment about headphones and mics. Good audio matters, and it's important you can hear clearly. Especially in the age of KZbin and podcasts it's good to aim for the best quality you can--even earbuds and a USB mic. Just my $0.02.

[@TheTalisman515]

Agreed

[@hugonguyensg8402]

I disagree on the Headphone part. It's actually the echo from environment by using the laptop mic that annoy people most of the time.

[@bbt305]

All this advice is the any day advice to any interview.

[@calebnorman9923]

I'm no executive/high status manager, but I certainly don't agree that solely using your computer mic is a good option. Over-ear headphones can definitely be overkill, but just using earbuds with a decent mic (especially one that's intelligent and filters out background noise) are a great solution.

[@cometome8194]

Thank you for sharing great tips.

[@alfredoromero4518]

First, is best to have a deep background with some richness on the scene. Second, have good lighting even with a small desk light hitting you from the side or plain front could give it a ore interesting look

[@bestintentions6089]

pre-recoding your interview is a like bottom barrel anxiety reducing bottom barrel of interviews. the WORST.

[@jcg4350]

block the door from any intrusion, specifically pets and kids...or be prepared to be trending topic.

[@NDemanuele1]

What about if you have to record your own interview? Some companies ask you to conduct your own interview without an interviewer. I suppose it's the same.

[@Ar18]

His cute though

[@auro1986]

why just laptops? does wsj guarantee and provide uninterrupted and fast internet? can't wsj take my interview through smartphone? but maybe wsj will hire me if i tell everyone around how good wsj is

[@EdgeBauer]

As a professional recruiter, this lady stopped on the beginning of the 2000s...

[@gcolman7714]

What advice would you give differently?

[@nabildoumani4540]

Headphones makes me focus completely especially if they are noise cancelling

[@LLL124Original]

I still interview in person.

[@wave9303]

pls dont use External speakers and Microphones in Computer, it got too many noise....esp wind noise

[@markuchiha7737]

I just turned down an interview bcos im not comfortable.

[@darkwaters1485]

Did she say modem ? and by the way that laptop was not at an eye level.

[@robkadri9102]

Boutta take one for apple wish me luck!

[@Planck944]

How did it go

[@marinak131]

Why not to use speaker? I used it not to hear any nose outside of the meeting room and I passed interview

[@jesseabraham5410]

Excellent tips thank you!!! Question. Is it necessary or not to wear suit? Suggestions please

[@omarfeloose2282]

Yes

[@apscoinscurrenciesmore7599]

Be fabulously good looking 😀😎👍

[@impressionQ]

Don't forget to check if your double chin is looking good. Good luck with an interview!

[@siic]

Lol I feel personally attack

[@callmerk4619]

Really? Post it note on the screen? You don't know that you can switch to a different view ? omg..

[@Sempuukyaku]

Not using headphones? That is HORRIFIC advice 😂😂 Is she serious?

[@chromeandthrottle175]

Audio option: ear buds.

[@Dorkykid09]

3:00

[@ziggy7676]

Did she just call the network card a modem?!

[@kthog3348]

"Insulin was invented at the University of Toronto, Canada, from 1921" Please support ! Please Donate！Invest! help me! Hello World! ! I want to eradicate diabetes type 1 from the world I want to help eliminate pain from people around the world with diabetes please donate your money develop the Cure for Diabetes. The complete cure of diabetes is a dream for humanity of 100 years! please invest and Donate for diabetes cure　New Technology And Talk about diabetes with family (^o^)ノシ(^o^)ノシ(^o^)ノシ＼(^o^)／（＾w＾）ノシ

[@bmwfitness28]

I love video interviews..I have Aced all of them and received offers.

[@TheTerminator1919]

You also don't use turn signals when changing lanes.

[@bmwfitness28]

@@TheTerminator1919 are you sure

[@importantname]

Number 1 - do NOT angle camera up your nose.

[@alfredoromero4518]

I think should’ve give better advice. Almost anyone that have done an interview knows this tips, well maybe except for the sticker one, that personally I just think you did it because you ran out of ideas

[@marksolarz3756]

Speak Chinese and the Wall Street journal will hire you!

[@Engagenumberone]

I hate video interviews. Seems like only good looking people or those with good facial symmetry appear "friendly" on camera. And what's with these non technical questions like what something felt like, uh lady, I thought I was interviewing for a hardware engineering role, not an emotional, get in touch with my feelings job.

[@jockocar]

all this does not matter, if they want to hire you they will hire you. if they don't , you can do everything perfect and still will not get a job

[@classikz]

assuming you can even get an interview.

[@bhavyashah7027]

One word. Overkill.

[@StowePro]

Definitely do not use the phrase “my bad” when being interviewed by a potential employer..

[@bunchsocrazy]

This is definitely level 1. E.g. 1) Post it note vs just turning off your self view in the program. 2) Imbedded mike and regular lighting vs studio lighting and professional sound. 3) Blank walls = No personality.

[@IssaUserName]

We shouldnt have to adapt to video interviews. The interview process is a two way street and removing any and all agency the person applying has to ask questions is atrocious. Hiring practices like this should be frowned upon or illegal.

[@ryanpdt]

you get paid with these easy obvious advice as a career coach??? time to change career! =))

[@yenzyhebron5278]

This is all just common sense and basic decency, you don't really need a wall street journal explaining this to you

[@adiabd1]

and people still need this kind of reminder to tell them how dumb they actually were doing

[@Josh-ux3yc]

Uh, too much vocal fry. Had to turn it off.

[@umer90o7]

First

[@acepvahlevie4576]

🖒🏅JOE🏆BIDEN🏅👌 #FORUSA

[@robvaus]

this assumes i got a laptop... desktops ain't dead

[@sudarshanpaudel6085]

And forgot to prepare the content😂😂😂

[@ruchirpatel1933]

Her advice got worse as the video went on

[@Captinofthemudslayer]

I hate video interviews

[@midnightappointment]

Are you kidding me? Who has ethernet cable these days?????