Picture this: you’ve spent weeks researching the company, preparing answers to potential questions, and practicing your interview skills. You’re feeling confident and excited about your upcoming video interview – until you turn on the camera. Suddenly, you freeze up. Your palms start sweating, your heart races, and you can’t seem to remember anything you rehearsed. The more you try to calm down, the worse your nerves get. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever experienced stage fright during a video interview, you’re not alone.

Even the most seasoned professionals can struggle with camera fear and anxiety. But don’t worry – with the right strategies, you can overcome your nerves and ace your virtual meeting with ease. In this blog, we’ll share tips and tricks for remaining calm, confident, and collected during video interviews. From preparing beforehand to engaging with your interviewer, we’ll cover everything you need to know to succeed on camera. Let’s get started!

Lights, Camera, Interview: The Age of Video Interviews

Video interviews have become increasingly popular in recent years. With remote work becoming the norm, it’s not uncommon for employers to use virtual platforms (Skype, Zoom, or Google Meet) and HR Tech platforms (like Intervu) to conduct job interviews. While video interviews can be convenient and time-saving, they also come with their own unique challenges. One of the most common challenges for candidates has been overcoming the fear of being on camera, aka video interview stage fright.

Stage Fright: The Uninvited Guest You Don’t Want

Stage fright or anxiety during video interviews can occur due to several reasons, including:

• Feeling Like a Fish Out of Water: Being on camera can feel unnatural, especially if you’re not used to it.
• Lack of Physical Interaction: Unlike in-person interviews, there’s no physical interaction or body language to rely on, which can make it harder to read your interviewer’s reactions or gauge their interest.
• Pressure to Perform Well: The pressure to perform well can be turned up to 11 when you’re being recorded or live-streamed. This pressure can lead to nervousness, sweating, shaking, or other physical symptoms that can distract you from your interview.
• Technical Issues: Technical issues such as poor internet connection, video lag, or software glitches can add an extra layer of stress and frustration, making it even harder to stay calm and focused.

The combination of these factors can hinder your ability to answer questions confidently, showcase your skills effectively, and make a lasting impression on your potential employer. If you’re tired of reading all the “self-help” articles and are looking for tried and tested tips to overcome anxiety and ace that video interview, keep reading.

Beating the Video Interview Jitters: Strategies for Managing Anxiety

Before we dive in, remember that anxiety and nervousness are quite normal when it comes to interviews. However, it’s important to remember that these feelings can sometimes be misconstrued as a lack of confidence. Fortunately, there are several effective practices and techniques you can try to ease those interview nerves and show up as your best self.

Prepare for Success

Preparation is key to overcoming stage fright and nailing your video interview. Don’t just wing it, do your research! Research the company, the industry, the role, and anything else you can find. This will not only help you feel more confident and prepared, but it will also show the interviewer that you’re serious about the opportunity.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to practice, practice, practice! Anticipate what questions you might be asked and come up with strong, thoughtful answers in advance. Rehearse your responses out loud to help you feel more comfortable and confident.

Don’t forget to also test your technology beforehand. Make sure your internet connection is stable and that your camera and microphone are working properly. The last thing you want is technical issues adding to your anxiety during the interview.

Use Calming Techniques

When it comes to calming your nerves, different strokes for different folks! Deep breathing is a simple and effective way to calm nerves. Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth, focusing on the feeling of calmness spreading through your body.

Visualization can also help. Imagine yourself in a peaceful setting and focus on the sounds, smells, and sensations of that environment to help you feel relaxed.

And don’t forget to pep talk yourself! Repeat positive affirmations like “I am capable” or “I am prepared for this interview” to boost your confidence.

Engage With Your Interviewer

Remember that the interviewer is just a person, not an intimidating force. Engage with them as you would with anyone else. Make eye contact, smile, and show enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Ask thoughtful questions and be genuinely interested in the conversation. This will help shift your focus away from your nerves and onto the interaction between you and the interviewer.

Lastly, treat the interview as a conversation rather than a performance. Don’t worry about being perfect or memorizing every answer. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. The more relaxed and authentic you are, the more likely you are to make a positive impression.

Consider Your Surroundings

When preparing for a video interview, it’s important to take your surroundings into consideration. Find a quiet, well-lit space that is free from distractions to conduct your interview. The environment should be professional and appropriate for an interview setting.

You should dress professionally as well, even though the interview is virtual. This will not only make you feel more confident but also show the interviewer that you’re taking the process seriously. 

Have The Necessities Within Reach 

It’s crucial to have all the necessary materials within reach before the interview starts. This can include a copy of your resume, a notebook and pen, and any other relevant documents or notes.

Having everything you need at your fingertips can help you feel more in control and prepared. This will also show the interviewer that you’re organized and ready for the interview.

Be Mindful of Your Body Language

Body language is just as important during a virtual interview as it is during an in-person interview. Sit up straight and maintain good posture, make eye contact, and avoid fidgeting or slouching. These small adjustments can help you feel more confident and engaged during the interview.

Use hand gestures if necessary but make sure they are not too exaggerated. A calm and confident demeanor can help establish a positive impression with the interviewer.

Consider Using a Practice Platform

To ensure that everything runs smoothly during your interview, consider using a practice platform before the actual interview. Many video conferencing platforms offer a test call feature, which allows you to test your camera and microphone settings before the interview.

This can help you identify and fix any technical issues in advance, reducing the likelihood of technical difficulties during the actual interview. This way, you can be confident that the interviewer can hear and see you clearly.

It’s Okay to Take a Pause

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or nervous during an interview, and it’s perfectly acceptable to take a pause when needed. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts, take a deep breath, and pause for a few seconds. This can help you regroup and refocus, ensuring that you deliver thoughtful, coherent answers to the interviewer’s questions.

You can also use this pause to ask for clarification or repeat the question if needed. Remember that the interviewer is looking for the best candidate for the job, and taking a pause to give thoughtful responses is better than giving a rushed or incomplete answer.

Don’t Let Stage Fright Hold You Back

To sum it up, conquering video interview stage fright is like training for a marathon – it takes dedication, perseverance, and a whole lot of preparation. But don’t worry, even the most experienced interviewees feel a twinge of nervousness every now and then. Just remember, confidence comes from within and a well-prepared mind is half the battle won.

So, take a deep breath, give yourself a pep talk, and rock that interview like the confident, capable superstar you are!