You Won't Believe How This Simple Tweak Can Transform Your Video Interview Performance

Dec 22, 2023

Written By Nandini Jadeja

First impressions are often formed within the first few seconds of a video interview, and small, intentional adjustments can positively impact your performance, putting you in the best possible position for success. This article is your go-to guide for ensuring that you make the best possible impression and can perform at your best!

Mastering your virtual presence

The first step to success at a virtual interview is optimising your webcam, lighting, and background.

Ensure your webcam is fully functional and adjust to a higher quality video setting if you can.
Test different lighting set-ups in advance of the interview and try to do your interview at a time when you’ll benefit from natural light. Natural light is best, so use this if you can. If your room is particularly dim, consider moving a lamp closer to your laptop.
You should try and position your webcam at eye level to ensure optimal eye contact with the camera. You can do this by propping your device on a box or a few books, but ensure that it is steady and won’t fall during the interview!
Your background is vital as it will inform the interviewer’s overall impression of you. Ensure it is clean, quiet and clutter free, as this conveys organisation and professionalism. Your clothing should also reflect this – business wear is recommended unless you have been informed otherwise.

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Fine-tuning your verbal communication

Nerves can often make you speak quickly, so ensure that you are conscious of your speech during the video interview. Speak and articulate clearly, and don’t be afraid to pause for a few seconds to avoid waffling. Practising in advance, especially in an interview-like setting, will help ensure this.

Another common mistake is to fill your interview with lots of legal and business jargon. Only use terms that you fully understand and can explain, and remember that as a solicitor you will be communicating with a wide range of people, from fellow solicitors to clients who have little legal knowledge. Being able to adapt your answers to suit your audience is a crucial skill as a solicitor. Legal terminology and knowledge should be balanced with clear, easy to understand language that conveys to your interviewers that you are comfortable explaining complex topics.

Perfecting non-verbal cues

Non-verbal communication is often just as important as verbal communication, so nailing it is one half of nailing the interview! Sit straight with your shoulders back, and remember to smile and maintain eye contact as best as you can. It is easy to fall into the trap of looking at your face during your video interview, but this can be avoided in multiple ways.

Some types of video interview software give you the option of ‘hiding’ your face from the screen, so you are not looking at the screen during the interview. Alternatively, you can place a small post-it note next to your webcam to remind you to look up. This has a considerable impact for those watching the interview, as it will make you look more confident and engaged.

Showcasing your legal knowledge

The key to showcasing your legal knowledge is integrating it strategically and seamlessly. You don’t want to sound scripted, like you are simply ticking a checkbox by mentioning commercial awareness. Instead, your answers should be integrated with commercial awareness, something that can be achieved by doing thorough research into the firm’s recent deals and linking back any relevant business/finance news back to the firm.

You may also have to navigate complex legal scenarios to test your problem solving and analytical skills. Being successful in these tasks requires you to pay close attention to the details of the scenario, and present a nuanced answer which takes all the details into account. Don’t rush into your answer, read it twice and make notes around the scenario before you attempt to answer. You should also ensure your answer is structured well, in addition to being clear and concise.

Adapting to technical challenges

Technical glitches happen to the best of us, so don’t panic if something goes wrong during the video interview.

Here are a few quick things to try:

Have a backup connection option. If you are using WiFi at home, make sure you know how you can use your personal hotspot on your phone as a backup.
Audio and video can usually be tested prior to beginning the video interview, so check that these are working before you begin. If you have any issues, it may be because you have not given permission for your browser to have mic/camera access, so turn this on or switch to another browser.
If you still have issues, try connecting/disconnecting your headphones or using another device.
Check your Wifi speed (you can do this for free online) to give you an indication of how well it will work.
Shut other tabs on your device to reduce the number of activities your computer is completing at the same time.

If you continue to have issues, don’t panic! Stay calm and retain composure as best you can. Remember, technical issues crop up all the time, and your response will show how professional you can be in an unexpected, stressful scenario. It will also show how well you can adapt and problem solve – skills that are crucial as a lawyer. If an issue prevents you from completing the interview, send graduate recruitment an email to explain the situation and see if you can reattempt the video interview in another way.

Conclusion

It’s the small things that make the biggest difference. Background, lighting, eye contact, body language, clarity of speech – all these things make a lasting, positive impression on law firms. By implementing these tweaks in your upcoming video interview, you are ensuring that you are primed and ready for success – both in your video interview and your future legal career. Good luck!

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