The rules for doing a video interview are very similar in terms for preparation and presentation to an in-person interview, but there are a few additional items to consider.

1) Find a place with professional background. A wall with a picture or two is good. Alternatively, bookshelves make a good background.

2) Check the lighting before the interview. If there is a window behind you, make sure the sun is not streaming in. If it is, your face is not likely to show well on camera. You need to make sure the camera picks up your face and facial expressions.

3) Dress appropriately. You should be dressed exactly the way you would for an in-person interview in business casual attire. The same thing is true of a video interview. Follow the advice about dress in the preceding section about appearance. You only have one opportunity to make a first impression so do not waste it.

4) The positioning of the camera is important.

• a. Place the camera directly in front of you at approximately level with or a little above your eyes. That way you will be looking straight ahead when you respond to questions instead of down.
• b. Be sure to look into the camera during the interview. It is very distracting to the interviewer(s) if you are not. It is a subconscious thing - the interviewer will not realize why but will give you poor marks for the interview even if your answers have been brilliant. Trust us on this one. We have seen it happen.
• c. If you are using an iPad, turn the device so the long edge is perpendicular to the surface it is sitting on. If it is horizontal, it will appear that you are looking to one side or the other instead of directly ahead at your interviewer(s).

5) Be sure to test your camera and how you look before the interview. There is a generally a video settings section that you can use to see how you look on camera.

6) It is also a good idea to do a test run with technical staff for whomever you will be interviewing with.

7) One of the biggest distractions in video interviews occurs when the candidate's head is too close to the camera. Not only can the interviewers see every imperfection in your complexion, each time you move your head an inch, it looks like you are moving a foot. Our recommendation is that your head be 30 to 36 inches from the camera. At that distance, your head will fill between 10 and 20% of the screen. Anything closer fills too much of the screen.

8) Make sure you have shut down the link and are off camera before you do anything (like removing your tie or wig).

We hope the preceding has been helpful! Best of luck in getting the next job!