I’m noticing an increase in video interviewing, and to some of you this is a new trend.  For those of you that are pros at this, consider this post a refresher.

Hiring managers have discovered that they can save time, interview quicker, and save money by starting the process with video interviews.  If you haven’t interviewed in a while, or you’re re-entering the workforce, you’ll want to know the basics well in advance of your scheduled video interview.

First, there are several ways you can conduct a video conference.  Assuming you have a computer with a good internet connection, a headset or microphone and a web cam, you’ll want to be familiar with the most commonly used software.  The most popular platform is Skype, and you can download a free version to your computer, tablet, or smart phone.  You’ll need to establish a free account to get started.  If you’re familiar with Apple products you may already know that FaceTime allows you to video conference across iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.  Another growing trend is to conduct video calls across social networks like Facebook and Google Plus.

A typical job seeker will apply for a position, have an initial phone interview, a secondary video interview before the final in-person interview.  It’s extremely important that you treat each interview as if they’re being conducted in person.  Make sure that you conduct a couple of test video conferences with friends or family prior to your interview.  It could be tragic if your interviewer felt like you were incompetent with what is quickly becoming standardized software.

Here are 8 tips that will help you prepare to ace your interviews and land that dream job.

1. Research: Learn all you can about the company you’re interviewing with and the key operators in the department you’ll be working in. Know relevant industry news and trends that might have an impact on the interviewing company.
2. Practice: Rehearse with someone and answer potential questions you expect in the interview.  Pay close attention to your voice inflection and tonality.  You want the interviewer to hear your confidence and sincerity. Keep answers concise and elaborate only when relevant. Don’t forget that good posture influences your attitude and sound of your voice.
3. Setting: Before the scheduled interview time, make certain your area is quiet and without distraction. Silence your phone, close your email, and shut down your web browser.
4. Tools: Make sure you have a note pad and pen to capture notes (don’t be tempted to take notes on your smart phone, you don’t want the interviewer to think you’re texting or surfing the web), your resume, the job description and your notes about questions you want to ask the interviewer.
5. Dress Code: This is a bigger problem than you might think. You must dress exactly as you would if you were meeting them in person. Failure to do so will insure you don’t get that face to face interview you’re hoping for.
6. Listen: This might sound like motherly advice, but I assure you it’s sound. Make certain that you understand the interviewer’s questions fully before answering.  Be careful to not interrupt, and always ask for clarification and don’t answer based upon assumptions.
7. Finish Strong: You want the conclusion of the interview to be on a strong positive note. You can accomplish this by asking leading questions so the interviewer can talk about something that excites them about the company or the open position. This is also a great time to ask if the interviewer thinks you’re a good fit for the company and what the next steps in the hiring process are.
8. Thank you: You’ll find tremendous value in thanking the interviewer for their time, answering your questions, and considering you for the position.