Top tips for filming a one-way video interview

So, you’re asked to do a one-way video interview… This may feel a little unnatural, but just relax and be yourself – we’ve got tips to help you out!

One-way video interviews can be a bit awkward – we know! But one-way interviews can have their benefits! You can complete them at a time that suits you in a given timeframe and, in some cases, you can have unlimited takes. So embrace it! Don’t let this part of the recruitment process turn you away from a potentially rewarding opportunity! The worst that can happen is that this interview turned into practice for future interviews.

To ensure you put your best foot forward we’ve put together our best tips to prepare you for your one-way video interview!

1) Prepare for this interview like a normal interview

Research the company

Take the time to learn about what the company does, its values, mission and vision, and get to know more about the department that you might be joining. You might be asked, “why do you want to join our company?” or “Why did you apply for this job?” and you’ll want to work in what you know about the company into your answers.

Make sure you feel good before you start

Ensure that you’re relaxed and in a good mindset before filming, and be sure to have some food to fuel your brain! Although you may get multiple takes, how you feel will influence your confidence and your confidence will influence how well you communicate your answers.

To show your confidence and personality, speak clearly – not too fast, smile, and subtly use your hands to compliment what you say. Don’t overdo it but try to make up for the body language that isn’t visible in a one-way video interview.

Dress professionally or reflect the company’s dress code

The hiring manager will assess you based on preventability and culture fit. Check out the company’s social media to see how they dress at work. Reflect this in what you wear. We’re not saying to hide what you normally wear, but make sure you’re not rolling out of bed and completing the interview in your PJs!

2) Ensure you’re connected to stable and reliable internet

Each one-way interview platform is different. Some will save your progress as you go but others won’t. Some will allow you to come back after leaving but many do not. You might not even receive any warnings about the platform before you go in. So be sure to check your internet connection before you start. The last thing you want is for the internet to cut out halfway through your answer and leave your recording unsaved and inaccessible.

3) Check your tech!

Adjust your audio and camera settings

The most crucial part of your video is the sound. It’s important to keep background noise to a minimum as it can be quite distracting for the viewer. Headphones will help you record the clearest sound, but if you don’t have headphones handy try to ensure you film in a room with as little echo as possible.

As for your camera, do a test to see if it’s working and how you’ll look depending on how far or close you are sitting to it. You want to make sure your face and shoulders can be seen in the frame. This will ensure you’re not sitting too far or too close to the camera. You also want to be facing the camera front – not on your side. The hiring manager will want the one-way video interview to seem as if you are speaking directly to them. We’ll talk a bit more about positioning below.

It may even help to give a friend a test call to double-check check your mic or camera isn’t broken. If you can’t playback your answer before submitting it, you’ll feel better if you have the confidence that the person can hear and see you.

Prepare your laptop/desktop and phone for minimal distractions

Before jumping into the interview, close any unnecessary tabs and turn off your notifications on all your devices. These are easy to forget but remembering to do this will save you big time.

4) Tidy up and adjust the space around you

Being presentable extends to the space around you and the space you are in. Let us explain:

The space around you

You’ll want to clean up the space around you so there’s no mess and no inappropriate items are in site; that would be embarrassing… If you live with other people, you’ll want to tell them that you’ll be recording a one-way interview so they don’t accidentally walk in on you or make too much noise in the background. You don’t want the hiring manager to be distracted from your answer when they’re watching your recording.

The space you’re sitting in

You want to be in a position in the room where the light source is facing your face. If the source of light hits the back of your head, your face will look dark in the video and the hiring manager will not be able to see your face.

Also, be sure to sit in a comfortable chair that is adjusted appropriately to the height of your desk or table so you’re not hunching over and so you can be seen in the camera. On your desk or for the space that is within arm’s reach, remove any items around you that you might fidget with. You’ll want to be focused as if you were in a normal video interview.

5) Complete your interview in a timely manner

As we said earlier, the benefit of having a one-way video interview is that you can complete the interview at a time that suits you. However, don’t wait until the last day to complete it. The faster you complete the interview, the faster the hiring process will be. Completing the interview fast will also show that you have a sense of urgency which is a favourable trait in many roles.

6) Show your personality!

This is your chance to introduce not just your capabilities, but who you are as a person. Be happy, smile, and tell us about your hobbies!

Your one-way video interview will consist of questions that have been specifically chosen for the role you’ve applied for. The one-way video interviews we conduct as part of our hiring process at Fuse will include a one-minute waiting time to think about how you want to answer the question before your recording starts. Feel free to skip the waiting time if you’re ready to go!

After you’ve answered the question, you’ll have the opportunity to review your video and re-record if you’re not happy with the answer. One-way interview platforms from other companies may operate differently so make sure to read the instructions provided to you carefully.

If you’re completing a one-way video interview for us and have any questions during your video interview or you get stuck, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call your consultant.

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Happy recording!

Want a chance to interview for one of our roles? Check out our job search page or contact us and let us know what you’re looking for!