Pre-Recorded Job Interviews

Processes keep changing, and those changes are a must for improving efficiency levels in an increasingly competitive world with increasing business volumes. The COVID pandemic further fueled the need to increase efficiency by not just automation but whatever innovations can be brought in.

Organizational hiring processes are no exception in this fast-changing world.

If you are looking for a new job and perusing job listings online, you might have encountered one or more job ads stating that a pre-recorded video interview is part of the job application process.

A pre-recorded video interview usually happens in the initial stages of the interview process, when an employer would like to ‘put a face to the name,’ so to speak, and gauge how you would be a good fit in the organization. This differs from a usual video interview or meeting because you aren’t talking to anyone in the interview. Rather, you will answer a set of questions as you record yourself on video, and then you send the video file off in a link that will be given to you, which will be reviewed by the hiring managers. Nerve-wracking? You bet!

Pre-recorded interviews are becoming quite common, especially if you are applying through job boards. But there’s no need to worry – many thousands of people have had to undergo pre-recorded video interviews, and here are some tips that will help guide you.

Do your research

Before you begin your pre-recorded video interview, read up on everything you can find about the company you are applying to. Company websites usually have mission statements, media links, and other valuable information about the company. Once you have these, consider how your qualifications, skills, expertise, and values align with the company.

Practice, practice, and more practice

You are only human; unless you have done this a thousand times, it’s natural to feel awkward talking into a camera recording you. To overcome some of the awkwardness, try practicing in front of a mirror and imagine that you are talking to a real person sitting in front of you. Eye contact is very important, so remember to maintain a steady gaze at the camera – not at your own image on the screen – when you are talking. Stay calm and focused, relax your shoulders, and remember to breathe.

Speak clearly

Some pre-recorded video interviews will give you a set of written questions to answer on camera, and others will have a set of questions that will come up during the interview, just as they would in a face-to-face interview. Even with all your preparation, answering these questions will probably still feel somewhat awkward. Again, some awkwardness is natural unless you are a media pro; accepting this fact can help you be more relaxed. Just remember to take a moment to frame an answer that is relevant to the question clearly and calmly.

Stay on topic

When you are about to give your answer, reminding yourself of the question will help you give a well-considered response. Stay on topic and address the question to the best of your ability. Going off on a tangent on something you may know more about but is irrelevant to the question and not addressing the question will not do you any favors.

Do your recording in a suitable place

This may be a no-brainer, but too many people have failed to impress interviewers when they are careless about messy surroundings or backgrounds while recording a video. You should record in a place that is as tidy and quiet as possible without noises such as barking dogs, playful children, or other environmental distractions. Position your camera so it is at eye level when sitting down. If your camera is on your laptop and you don’t have a stand, placing a few thick books underneath your laptop will help raise the camera. Ensure you have sufficient lighting – a table lamp behind your laptop camera, a light ring, or a seat facing a window that lets natural daylight in will help light your face and avoid too many shadows.

Finally – let yourself shine!

What do I mean by that? It means being appropriately dressed for the position you are applying for, having a stable internet connection to prevent any disruptions, and turning your mobile phone off so that you can be as calm and as positive as possible without getting stressed out by anything that will take the focus off the interview. After you have submitted your pre-recorded video, remember to send a follow-up email to thank the interviewer or hiring manager and to show that you are interested and serious about your application.

However, interviews and getting into a new job are just one part of our careers - growing in the career graph is the most important thing for overall success.

Most of us fall into the trap of the Peter Principle, which can wipe off most of our previous efforts to gain the momentum for success. It's of utmost importance to keep this not only at the back of our minds but proactively put in the efforts to prevent the logic of the Peter principle from hindering our growth,