Sunday, March 27, 2016

You know I can see you, right?

Hello?  You know I can see you, right?  There.  On your computer.  Yes.  That’s me.  The interviewee?

With the influx of video interviews, comes the invariable video interviewing outtakes.  Well, at least what I wish were outtakes, as for this job searcher, I find the total lack of regard for what is going on in all of these video interviews ranges from making me laugh, to wondering what this interviewer was thinking . . .or wasn’t he?  Let’s take a look at some recent scenarios that should have been outtakes but unfortunately for me, were not.

Outtake #1- Be careful what is in the background.  I get that everyone is busy but an interviewer the other day, did my Skype interview in a bedroom . . . .complete with an unmade bed in the background.  Hotel room? Working from home?  I have no idea, but as this guy said, he was “running late”.  Right.  So late that he couldn’t find another room to do the interview from?

Outtake #2- Multitasking.  While I totally understand that everyone is busier than ever these days, it is an interview.  A young man who was interviewing me the other day was actually running a razor over his face while we talked.  Must be a “running late” syndrome going on.  See outtake #1.

Outtake #3- Weird objects hanging on the walls.  Unless you are interviewing for a taxidermy company, dead animal heads hanging on the wall behind you could be a turn off for some perspective employees.  Maybe a phone interview would be better.

Outtake #4- Ancillary people in the shot.  I get that people doing the interviews are at work.  But when teams of people are stopping by to say hi, or just wondering what you are doing, it might be time to get a conference room.  Just a suggestion.

Outtake #5- Lighting.  Video conferences rely on lighting.  If your room is so dark that I really can’t see you, what’s the point of a video conference? Therefore once again, a phone call could work better, see outtake #3.

For those of us interviewees, let me offer some suggestions so that the interviewer isn’t shaking his head on the other side as well. 

Light is important.  Natural light is best but feel free to augment it with a ceiling light that will add shine to your hair and a glint in your eye.  And also think to add a table lamp to erase shadows on your face. 

White paper on the table in front of you will also help to reflect up.  And finally, like those pics we all think we look the best in, raise the computer camera up so that you are not staring down into it.  Nothing looks worse than a face hanging down.  Have several different shirts or tops and try them on to see how each of them look on camera and with the various light.  Trust me.  It matters.

I’m lucky for I spent most of my career watching commercials be lit, lit again and re lit for just the right view of the product. 

Today we are the product.  Don’t we deserve the same treatment?


Hello?  You know I can SEE you, right?  Are you wearing a swimsuit?