How to Handle a Video Interview for Business School

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the interview stage for some of your top business school choices. Now it’s time to interview, that’s the good news. The bad news is for many students they might have difficulty in scheduling those interviews. Imagine you have been asked to interview at four or more schools, all in different corners of the world. Imagine how expensive it will be to get to all of those schools to interview in person. Most schools offer local alumni interviewers, but what if there are none in your area? Or, the alumni are unresponsive?
Thankfully, many schools have made a positive step and made it easier for applicants to conduct their interview over video conferencing. I’m hearing from more and more business school applicants that the admissions committee is giving them this opportunity and they are wondering if it is a good idea.
Now it is obviously important to make a visit to campus at some point before enrolling. You’ll need to get a feel for the campus, meet classmates and check out places to live. But, if you can’t make it there, a video interview can be a nice alternative. Also, schools will not mark you down for choosing the video option. So now that you have decided on a video interview, what are some tips to make sure it goes well?
Confirm Which Video Service
Skype? Facetime? Hangouts? Go to Meeting? The amount of video chat interfaces have exploded in the last few years. You might be an Apple user who is used to Facetime, but your interviewer might be on Android. When receiving logistics, make sure the brand of software is clear. It should go without saying that you should use the service the school suggests.
Test, Test, Test
Especially if you are using a new service, make sure you are familiar with how to place and receive a call. That you know how to turn your video on and off. That you know how to mute yourself. Call a friend a few days prior to the interview and test everything out. Unsure how you will sound? Try speaking with and without a headset to ensure optimal voice quality.
Posture
Make sure you are sitting in a comfortable chair with the video camera slightly above eye level. If you are using a laptop you might want to prop it up on top of some books to make sure it is at the right level. Don’t sit on your couch or in your favorite lounge chair. Try using a dining room table chair to make sure you are sitting up straight.
Grooming and Dress
Formal suit just like you would for a normal interview. At least from the waist up! Also, don’t be afraid of a little makeup to reduce possible shine.
In conclusion, make sure you treat a video interview the same as you would an in person interview. Get rid of all distractions, make eye contact and pretend the interviewer is right across the desk from you.