Overcoming Video Interviewing Anxiety Disorder?

 

By Jessica Miller-Merrell

Bigger companies are starting to adopt video interviewing as an alternative to face-to-face interviewing as volumes of candidates and costs all increase simultaneously. Thanks to new video interviewing technologies recruiters are able to setup virtual interviews and replay them when they get to work each morning, after lunch, or in bed right before they go to bed. 63% of interviews in 2012 were conducted via some form of interviewing technology. Many companies and business are looking to start are looking towards this technology as a way to interview potential candidates.

So what does this mean for candidates being interviewed with this type of technology? Not much, maybe; for the majority have anxiety no matter the type. Job seekers may have new questions, however.. We’ve come up with a few methods to overcome possible anxiety as it relates to video interviewing.

Prepare. This seems like the silliest pieces of advice we could give you, but when it comes to an interview you don’t ever want to be unprepared. Most times in video interviewing you’re giving just a minute or two to formulate a response. Rambling is the first sign of not knowing what you’re talking about and the easiest way to show that you’re confidence is shot. If you leave the gate not knowing what you’re talking about, the recruiter is likely to skip over your interview altogether. Research the company, prepare sample interview questions, and be confident in your presentation. If you have to, take notes and jot them down, but don’t be caught reading them.

Dress for Success. When it comes to video interviewing people don’t think that wearing appropriate attire will matter. After all, it’s likely you’re doing the interview from somewhere within your house, could even be your desk in your bedroom. What a backdrop? Be prepared for anything. Take the interview seriously and dress up. You also feel how you dress. So if you feel like you’re in an actual interview, you’re likely to have more confidence in your ability to perform well.

Don’t Rush the Question. 9/10 times we feel like since we’re being timed on our answer we have to talk fast and rush our response to make sure we get in all the information we want. On the same note, 9/10 times we will rush the question and have a lot of silence at the end or we will do the most regrettable thing ... ramble. Rambling isn’t pretty and avoiding it at all cost is the best when interviewing.

Participating in a video interview is, in most cases, the same as being interviewed in a face-to-face scenario. Relax, breathe, and by the time you know it, the interview will be conducted and you’ll either be moved onto the next step or start your job search process over again. Incidentally, over time, your style will improve. Just as in the real world. The more you interview, the better you become.

What are your video interviewing most unpleasant stories? What’s your experience with these types of interviewing?

Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is a workplace and technology strategist specializing in social media. She’s an author who writes at Blogging4Jobs. You can follow her on Twitter @blogging4jobs. 


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