Virtual interviews – those conducted over a web conference platform – are a fantastic way to get your message out to the public, promote your brand, and build your online reputation. Unlike in-person interviews where the camera, sound, and lighting are taken care of, with virtual interviews the onus falls on the interviewee to make themselves look good on camera.
Here are some tips for a great virtual interview.
Backgrounds
The key to a great virtual interview is having a clean background that does not distract from the central focus…namely you. The last thing you want is people to be staring at the artwork behind you or wondering why there is an empty bottle of wine on your shelf. Whether you use a virtual or a real background, make sure it is neat.
Virtual backgrounds have come a long way since they were first introduced. Sometimes it is hard to tell someone’s background is an image vs a real thing. If you are using a virtual background, be sure to use a green screen behind you to minimize the halo effect. Also, be sure to choose an image that is timeless. There are some backgrounds that I have seen people using that are super-trendy now (kitchens), but may age poorly over the next few months.
Please avoid using a moving virtual background. They are distracting and they can sometimes freeze/skip which looks funny on camera. Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I will take a real background over a virtual one any day.
I prefer real backgrounds with a little personality. A cherished baseball, a vacation photo, or favorite movie poster add a touch of flair.
Don’t be boring.
Lighting
Good lighting is critical. Here are some quick tips to help prepare for your virtual interview:
- Avoid backlighting (ie: a sunny window in your background, a light fixture)
- Use natural light whenever possible
- If using artificial lights, use Daylight bulbs or set them to the warm spectrum vs harsh LEDs
- Angle your lights if you wear glasses or have a shiny forehead (like me) to avoid reflections and glare
- Diffuse lighting is better than a spotlight. If needed, place a piece of parchment paper over the light.
- If you don’t have any lights near your computer, open up a blank WORD document on your monitor, it can act as a light
Microphone
Investing in a good quality microphone is well worth it if you do a lot of virtual interviews or have a lot of online meetings. There are several excellent ones that will plug directly into your computer via a USB port. Blue Yeti microphones are very popular and are excellent (I own one).
No matter which microphone you use, be sure to position it so that it catches your voice when you speak. You may have to experiment by recording yourself to see what angle and position works best.
The microphone on headsets (wired or wireless) are also great…and much better than the microphone in most webcams and laptops. Just be sure to test the connection before jumping into your interview.
If you must use your laptop microphone, be sure to speak directly to it during the interview.
Other tips
Here are some other tips for a successful virtual interview:
- Dress in solid colors that contrast with you background. Avoid clothing with complex patterns.
- Do not script your answers. You will come off very wooden and what reads well doesn’t always sound great in a conversation.
- Turn on beauty filters (yes they work!) or lower the sharpness setting so that you look “smoother”
- Block your calendar 15min before the interview so you can get ready and 15min after so that you can decompress and get changed
Most of all, try to be yourself during the interview. Pretend you are having a conversation with your best friend – laugh and don’t worry about sounding like a spokesperson. Viewers want to see your personality shine through.
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