Cracking Offline Video Interviews: Tips and Tricks

Cracking the Offline video interview has always been a challenge, especially recently. Use these 8 tips to crack your interview in 2022 and beyond!

In the recent years, many organizations have ditched their traditional interview practices and protocols, implementing technology packed ways. Post Pandemic, as per a recent report, not only hiring managers love video interviewing, but 57% of candidates love video interviews as well. Moreover 98% of candidates interviewed via video perceive their potential organizations as innovative. (source: selectsoftwarereviews.com)

Taking a step further towards this innovation, companies are heading towards the future of interviewing - where interviews are done without the recruiter. It's just the candidate in front of a computer screen.

What are offline video interviews or Asynchronous interviews?

Offline video interviews or asynchronous interviews are short video recordings sent by the candidates to the employers to help with the screening process. Instead of human interaction, the process involves use of technology through which candidates record and send their answers to the predetermined questions sent by the interviewer.

How Do They Work?

An offline video interview is a pre-recorded interview where a candidate speaks to the camera.The whole interaction is generally conducted with the help of a particular software or tool. The recruiters send a list of specific questions in text or video format along with a specific deadline to the candidate. The candidates record the answers using the software within the given time frame.

Once the answers are recorded and submitted, the recruiting team evaluates the answers and other parameters such as the candidate's personality and communication skills. On the basis of that the team decides whether the candidate is eligible for the next round or the role.

Offline video interviews might seem quite challenging and a little different from the typical interview setting. However these interviews give a chance to candidates to record their answers at any time of the day, when they are prepared and confident. Asynchronous interviews can help candidates especially from the BPO, IT and Hospitality industry make their profile stand out.

Why are Companies Preferring This Medium of Interviewing?

Offline video interviews are beneficial for both recruiters and candidates in many ways:

01- Connecting with more remote candidates:

This method works best during bulk hiring, facilitating busy hiring managers to look at the candidate interviews as per their availability. They can even replay the recordings. This method also works great for people working in different time zones.

1. 02- Speed up the hiring process:

   Interviewing and scheduling a number of interviews is tough and can take a number of days. However, watching 10-20 recordings at your pace and time frame is easier. Managers can even analyze minute details about candidates by replaying the recordings.

2. 03- Efficient screening of candidates:

   Through offline video interviews, the discussion becomes more structured. Candidates know the questions before answering them. Hence they can make their answers more comprehensive, adding examples of real life situations that can describe their skills perfectly. This gives a chance to interviewers to compare candidates more objectively.

3. 04- Engage hiring teams during the process:

   One way interviews facilitate engagement between hiring teams. Decision making becomes more unanimous and collaborative as teams look at the same interview video to decide whether they have to hire or reject a candidate.

4. 05- De-stress interview process for candidates:

   Job interviews can be very stressful for candidates. Stress can make even the best candidates hamper their interview performance. Offline video interviews can create a better candidate experience. Candidates get a chance to record as many takes as they want and submit the answer once they feel confident. This way candidates will get to put their best foot forward and showcase more elements of their personality.

What to expect in an offline video interview?

Every organization has a different set of questions, rules and time period offered for the interview. Here are a few things to expect in an offline video interview.

Questions-

The length of the interview will depend upon the number of questions sent by the recruiter. Most interviews contain a maximum of 7-8 questions. Answering them can take 2-3 minutes.

Some of the common questions that may appear in the interview are:

• Tell us about Yourself/ What is your story?

  While answering this question, share 80% professional and 20% of your personal information. Mention your skills, education and highlight the value that you can bring to the organization.

• What are your strengths/What makes you unique?

  Focus on highlighting your qualities that will benefit you during the job. Try to avoid boasting about anything, and showcase your strengths in a subtle manner.

• Why do you want to join our organization?/ Why do you think you're the right fit for this role?

  Every company wants to know if you understand the organization's goals, job description and the possible responsibilities that will come with it. Take it as an opportunity to showcase your skills. Talk about your interests and how a blend of both will make you excel at responsibilities.

• Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

  Every recruiter asks this question to understand whether your career path genuinely fits with the company's objectives. While answering this question, give a general idea of the skills you wish to learn and objectives you wish to accomplish in the future, and how being a part of this organization will help you do the same.

Time-

Most of the interview questions come up with a time limit for applicants to answer them. There is generally no hard and fast rule to answer within the time frame. It is totally fine if the answer exceeds somehow by a few seconds. Usually the software you're using for the asynchronous interview shows how much time is left to answer the question. You can also take help of the timer on your computer or phone.

Takes or no takes-

Most recruiters may allow a chance to re-record the answers if anything goes wrong. However there may be instances where recruiters may only allow a single take for each answer. Hence it is important to read the description shared by the recruiters and prepare yourself accordingly.

Some Preparation Tips and Tricks to Remember

Are you going to appear for a one way interview? Before you go ahead and start recording, keep these eight tips and tricks in mind.

1. 01- Dress Professionally

   Your attire speaks a lot about your personality and how well you carry yourself in a professional setting. Make sure to dress professionally, not just till the waist up. Try to dress professionally from head to toe.This will help you prepare your mind for the interview.

2. 02- Look Into the Camera While Talking

   A number of people make a rookie mistake to look at themselves rather than looking at the camera. Remember that by looking at the camera, you are maintaining a constant eye contact with whoever will be watching your interview recording. Just adding this bit will make your overall interview two times impactful.

3. 03- Speak Slowly and Clearly

   Just because there is a clock ticking over your head, doesn't mean you have to rush it all through.Speaking fast can also make you appear nervous. Do not lose your authentic voice during the race of finishing your answer. Instead speak slowly and make sure your words are clear enough to be understood by anyone.

4. 04- Take Care of Your Surroundings

   Make sure to record the interview in a quiet, peaceful environment where only you are visible and audible. Avoid making the mistake of recording the interview with a disturbing background with distractions around.

5. Choose a background such as a plain wall or something that is least likely to distract the recruiter from what you'd be saying. Also, make sure the space is well lit. The best practice is to test the light and adjust the device way before you start recording.

6. 05- Keep the Conversation Engaging

   It is pretty easy for recruiters to lose interest half-way through the interview. Hence, it is important to keep the interview engaging. Instead of sitting still and sounding like a robot, add more character to your voice and engage by smiling and showing genuine interest. Consider it as a face-to face interview and behave how you'd be behaving in that setting.

7. 06- Take Care of the Time Restrictions

   There may be instances when you may get only one take to record your one way interview. And there is nothing worse than watching the time run out while you were in the middle of speaking about your skills. Hence make sure to practice well before answering. Extending your answer by a few seconds is acceptable but make sure to not go overboard.

8. 07- Have Your Devices Ready

   It is preferable to use your desktop for recording answers. However, you can double-check with your interviewer if you can use a smartphone. Make sure that the microphone, camera and internet is properly working. Because the interview won't make any impact if the recruiters can't hear or see you properly.

9. 08- Do your Homework

   Carefully review the job description and company's expectations from the role to craft your answers. While writing answers, add how and where you fit into the company. Practice your answers extremely well and make sure it doesn't sound too rehearsed and memorized.

Offline video interviews are totally different from what we are generally used to. Hence the experience may seem a little daunting especially for a first timer. However with a little practice and preparation, you can work around and ace it.

Instead of stressing about creating a perfect video, focus more on showing your authentic, honest self because that is what recruiters want to see in the first place. Goodluck.