Since the rise of remote work, job interviews have taken different techniques. Live and pre-recorded video interview are now a standard practice in the hiring process. What was once a stressful process of commuting to offices, waiting hours at the reception, and interviewing with large intimidating panels are now made easy with one-sided interviews or pre-recorded virtual interviews.
Although live interviews through video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet still exist, more organisations are using pre-recorded video interviews to shortlist candidates and streamline hiring processes.
Pre-recorded interviews are convenient for both employers and job seekers, but they also come with a set of challenges, especially for candidates. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie in the job market, preparing for these interviews requires a different approach than traditional interviews. In this article, we'll explore what pre-recorded video interviews entail and highlight key tips and strategies to help you ace your next virtual job interview.
What are Pre-Recorded Video Interviews?
Pre-recorded video or one-sided video interviews are a relatively new aspect of the recruitment process. Unlike traditional interviews, candidates record their answers to predetermined questions without an interviewer present. They became popular after the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, which forced many businesses to operate online. Now, they have become more popular as they allow employers to screen job applicants quickly and efficiently and serve as a filter before inviting candidates for a live interview real person.
Pre-recorded video interviews are designed to assess different aspects of a candidate’s profile. Employers use them to evaluate candidates' work-related hard skills as well as their soft skills—communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. These interviews give a glimpse into the candidate’s personality, motivations, and competencies and give employers an idea of whether to move the candidate forward in the process. Pre-recorded video interviews don’t eradicate the need for a live interview; rather, they help employers shortlist only the best candidates.
The best part of a pre-recorded video interview is that hiring managers can get a candidate's first impression without the hassle of scheduling. This allows companies to screen many candidates in a shorter span of time.
Preparing for a Pre-Recorded Interview
Before submitting your pre-recorded interview video, it’s essential to prepare for it. This preparation includes conducting extensive research on the company and reviewing possible questions.
Research and Preparation
Before you start a pre-recorded video interview, do your research. Dive into the company, its culture, the job description, and the role's responsibilities. This will help you anticipate the types of questions you'll be asked, often competency-based, strengths-based, and values-based. Do the following:
- Research the company, understand the job description, and expected responsibilities, and align your answers to suit them.
- Prepare to answer a series of questions that speak to your competence, strength and value proposition in the company.
- Understand the skills and qualifications the company needs based on the job description.
- Find possible interview questions to answer and prepare examples from your past work experiences that adequately showcase your skills and accomplishments. Whether it's a project you led or a challenge you overcame, these examples should show how you meet the requirements of the role.
Technical Preparation
In addition to content preparation, technical prep is essential. Start by getting familiar with the platform or software being used for the interview. This might mean watching tutorials or practising with a mock interview to make sure you're comfortable with the interface.
Next, check all your equipment is working. A stable internet connection, a clear camera, and a working microphone are non-negotiables. Choose a quiet location for the interview, free from background noise and distractions, and make sure the lighting is good so you can be seen clearly on camera. Even though you won't be talking to an interviewer in real time, dressing professionally is still essential as it sets the tone and makes you look polished and prepared.
15 Tips for Successful Pre-recorded Video Interviews
A Pre-recorded video interview typically require a strategy different from in-person interviews. Here are 15 video interview tips and techniques to help you nail your next video interview.
1. Use a Quiet and Well-Lit Area:
Find a place with minimal background noise and good lighting. Natural light is best but if that’s not an option use lamps to make sure your face is well lit and visible.
2. Pay Attention to Your Background:
A clean and clutter-free background is essential. Choose a simple and professional backdrop. If you can, choose a space that reflects a bit of your personality, like a bookshelf or artwork, to add some personality.
3. Camera Angle:
During pre-recorded video interviews, it is essential to place your camera at eye level to make it natural and engaging. Use books or a laptop stand to get the right height so you’re not too close or too far from the camera.
4. Test Your Internet:
A strong and stable internet connection is key. If you can, use a wired connection to avoid Wi-Fi issues. Always have a backup plan like a mobile hotspot just in case.
5. Sound Quality:
Invest in a good quality microphone or headset, so your voice is clear and free from background noise. Poor audio can be distracting and leave a bad impression.
6. Choose the Right Outfit:
Dress as you would for an in-person interview. Professional attire that’s comfortable and confidence boosting. Avoid bright colours or patterns that might be distracting on camera.
7. Outline Key Points:
Outline the key talking points that you want to cover such as your skills, experiences and how they relate to the job. Put these notes where you can glance at them without losing eye contact.
8. Mock Interviews:
Practice with a friend or mentor using the same platform you’ll be using for the interview. This will help you get used to the format and get constructive feedback on your performance.
9. Get Familiar with the Platform:
Spend some time getting to know the video conferencing tool you’ll be using. Learn how to mute/unmute, share your screen, and troubleshoot common issues so you’re prepared for anything.
10. Have a Backup Plan:
If something goes wrong, like a power outage or internet failure, have a backup plan ready. This could be a phone number to call or an alternate device to switch to.
11. Perfect Your Delivery:
During pre-recorded video interviews, ensure you speak with clarity and confidence and adequately use verbal and non verbal cues.
12. Body Language:
Sit up straight, don’t slouch and use natural hand gestures. Good body language equals confidence and professionalism even through a screen.
13. Pace Yourself:
Speak clearly and at a normal pace. It’s easy to rush through answers in a virtual setting but take your time so your responses are thoughtful and well articulated.
14. Stay Calm During Technical Issues:
If you encounter any technical issues, stay calm and polite. Apologise briefly, suggest a solution and get back to it as soon as possible. Employers understand tech hiccups happen.
15. Finish Strong:
End the interview on a high note. Summarise your interest in the role, thank the interviewer for their time and ask about the next steps. This leaves a positive lasting positive first impression.
Common Pre-Recorded Video Interview Questions
Pre-recorded interviews usually have a set of standard questions to assess your motivation, skills, and fit for the role. Knowing what to expect from pre recorded questions can help you prepare well and deliver thoughtful answers. Here are the common areas and examples of pre-recorded interview questions you should be ready to talk about:
Motivation and Goals
One of the main focuses of pre-recorded video interview questions is to gauge your motivation and career goals. Employers want to know what drives you and how your goals align with the company and the role you’re applying for. Be ready to also answer questions about:
- What made you apply for this role?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Why do you want to work with our company?
When answering, make sure to link your personal goals to the company’s goals and how the role fits into your career.
Skills and Experience
Interviewers will ask questions to test your relevant skills and experience. These questions are to see if you have the technical and soft skills for the role. Some of these questions:
- Can you give an example of when you used [specific skill]?
- How does your experience relate to this role?
- What are your key strengths for this position?
For these questions, have specific examples from your past experiences that clearly show your qualifications. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to format your answers and make them more powerful.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Questions about your strengths and weaknesses are almost always asked. Employers want to know what you’re good at and where you need development. Some of these questions:
- What’s your greatest strength, and how does it help your work?
- What’s your biggest weakness, and how are you working to fix it?
When talking about strengths during pre-recorded video interviews, focus on the qualities that are relevant to the job and back them up with examples. For weaknesses, choose something real but not critical to the role and explain how you’re addressing it.
Industry Specific Questions
Depending on the industry and role, you may be asked questions that are more specific to your field. These could be technical knowledge, industry trends, or the role's challenges. Some of these:
- How do you keep up to date with industry trends?
- Tell me about a project you worked on in this industry.
- What are the biggest challenges in our industry, and how would you address them in this role?
Preparation is key here, so review the common interview questions for your industry and be ready to follow up questions with examples and insights.
Behavioural Questions
Behavioural questions are to see how you’ve handled different situations in the past and can predict how you’ll perform in the future. Some of these:
- Tell me about a time when you had a tough day at work. How did you handle it?
- Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult colleague. What did you do?
- Can you give an example of when you went above and beyond in your role?
For these questions, again use the STAR method to format your answers so you clearly outline the situation, actions and results of immediate response.
Practising for Your Pre-Recorded Video Interview
When preparing for your pre-recorded video interview, start by recording yourself. Practise answering the questions and see how you look on screen. Then, review the recording and focus on your body language, tone of voice, and overall presentation. Additionally, you can ask someone you trust for honest feedback on your speaking and appearance. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident when it comes to the actual interview.
Essential Time Management Tips
Time management is key during a pre-recorded video interview. You need to make sure your answers are clear, concise, and within time limits. Here are some tips:
- Write clear and concise answers that fit within the time limit.
- Time yourself when practising to see if you need to shorten or lengthen your answers.
- Use your prep time to jot down notes and outline your points.
Attention to Instructions
Pay attention to the instructions given for your video interview. This will help you avoid mistakes and make the most of the opportunities. Here are some to remember:
- Read the instructions on how to complete the video interview.
- Can you re-record answers, and how many retakes are you allowed?
- Follow all the guidelines so you can complete the interview smoothly and professionally.
What to Expect After the Interview
After you submit your pre-recorded video interview, it will be reviewed by the recruiter or hiring manager. Depending on their feedback, you may be invited to the next stage. Here’s what to expect:
- Hiring managers will review.
- You may be invited to a live video interview or an in-person interview.
- An assessment test may be sent to you to showcase your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions on Pre-Recorded Video Interview
Here are some frequently asked questions:
- How do I prepare for a pre-recorded video interview?
Preparation should be made for both the technical and content aspects of the interview. Find a quiet space and make sure your camera and mic are working. Get familiar with the platform and practice answering common questions. Record yourself and get feedback from someone you trust.
2. What are the common questions during a pre-recorded virtual interview?
Common questions will be about your motivation, skills, experience, strengths and weaknesses. You might be asked about your career goals, how your experience relates to the job or to give examples of how you handled specific situations in the past. Also review industry specific questions relevant to the role.
3. How do I time myself during the interview?
To time yourself well, craft clear and concise answers to each question. Time yourself during practice questions and sessions to make sure your answers fit within the time limit. Use any prep time to outline your key points so you stay on track during the interview.
4. Can I re-record my answers during the interview?
This depends on the platform and the employer’s instructions. Some platforms allow you to re-record, others don’t. Always read the instructions before starting the interview to know the rules around re-recording.
5. What if I experience technical issues during the interview?
If you encounter technical problems, such as a bad internet connection or a faulty camera, stay calm and address the issue quickly. Apologise briefly and suggest a solution, like re-joining the call or switching devices. Having a backup plan, like an alternate internet connection, can be helpful.
6. How do I make a good impression during a video interview?
Making a good impression is multifaceted: look into the camera, speak clearly and confidently, body language. Be prepared with examples and mindful of the time limits. Dress professionally and have a clean, well-lit background helps too.
Final Thoughts
Just like any other interview, succeeding in a pre-recorded video interview requires planning, practice, and attention to detail. Be sure to set up your professional space, manage your time, and familiarise yourself with possible video interview questions. Also, remember to follow the instructions, make a good impression, and follow up afterward to show your interest in the role. Using these tips and examples, you'll be sure to succeed in your next pre-recorded video interview. Found these helpful? Visit www.tech1m.com to streamline your hiring process or access job opportunities.
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