6 Tips for AI Interviews: These tips work for live video interviews, too!

Back in September 2022 we spoke with an expert on video interviews and got tips for jobseekers. But, last week a newsletter on LinkedIn pointed out there is “a new sheriff in town”—the artificial intelligence-driven, or AI interview.

As a result, we are updating the tips we received  in 2022 on a Zoom call with a video expert, Gillian Whitney at Video Easy Peasy with  AI interview tips from Executive Career Coach  Steve Frederick’s LinkedIn newsletter. in 2022, we also found additional tips on the CGL Recruiting YouTube channel.

Here are six tips we gathered that you could implement today to prepare for your next AI or video job interview:

1. Get your interview room ready,
2. Set up and test your tech,
3. Dress for success,
4. Be ready for the unexpected,
5. Create a strong interview closing, and
6. Always remember that the content is king.

The key to success at any job interview is preparation. You will also have to take new steps in addition to doing company research and being prepared for common interview questions. First, experts say you will have to prepare your workspace and technology.

Get your interview space ready.

Those of us who do not normally work from home may have to set up a “home office” for interviews. Even if you have a home office already, make certain your space presents the best image for a job interview.

The location where you conduct your side of a video or AI interview need not be a formal office or studio set. Gillian and other experts I have spoken with suggest that jobseekers avoid using a bedroom or kitchen. A recruiter told me, for example, that he will not hire someone that has laundry or a sink full of dishes in the background during their interview.

Make certain your camera is turned away from any evidence you are in a bedroom or kitchen if you do not have another space available. While we do not know whether AI interview systems will recognize a kitchen or bedroom, it seems reasonable to keep your background uncluttered.

Zoom does offer virtual backgrounds available, but this may add a layer of technology to your system that you may want to avoid.

Set up and test your tech.

A closely related issue is setting up technology. As a jobseeker, you probably do not want to invest in professional studio lighting. Instead, Gillian suggests turning your computer and camera, so you are facing a window with natural light. Doug Burns, a professional cinematographer recommended, on a CGL Recruiting video, that jobseekers use a table lamp with an LED bulb and a lampshade to create a “soft light” when a window with daylight is not available. In other words, your interview space needs light in front of you, and a neat background behind you.

The next step is to familiarize yourself with the technology you will be using for the interview. A job interview is “their” meeting, so you will have to access the employer’s or recruiter’s online tech. This may be an online platform you are not familiar with, such as Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Ask the hiring manager or recruiter what platform you will be using when you schedule the interview, if possible. Then, download the free version of the software and get experience with it.

Test your set-up and practice with it prior to the interview. Zoom has a specific address – www.Zoom.us/test — that you can use to record yourself as you test your lighting, camera positioning, audio, and other aspects of your presentation.

A friend or family member can also run tests with you. For example, prior to my first video interview ten years ago, I set up an account on the service needed for the interview and then sat on a call with a friend as I adjusted audio, video, and lighting. The interview panel moved me to the next stage in their process, so presumably, I did something right.

Audio: Great audio is important. Gillian suggests using an external microphone, and not the mic built into your webcam or laptop because the built-in mics have tin-sounding or echoing audio. Try this for yourself to hear the difference.

Video: Inexpensive webcams do the job. The important thing is to sit high enough so the camera is not looking down at you, and that you have good lighting in front of you. “Cameras like light,” Gillian said.

It is especially important for you to get the tech set-up right for an AI interview. An AI is not going to inform you if your audio is poor, for example.

Dress for success.

Dress appropriately for your video meeting with a company rep or an AI interview just as you would for an “in-person” interview. You may be asked to stand while speaking at a video interview, so fully dress for success. You will also feel more confident when you see how good you look on camera!

Gillian says dark shades of clothing look best on camera. If business attire in your industry means a traditional business suit, for example, consider wearing a blue shirt instead of a white shirt.

Surprisingly, Steve Frederick says AI interviewers will judge your attire and body language as well as the content of your responses to questions.

Be prepared for the unexpected during your interview.

You are on “live TV” during your interview. A characteristic of live television is that you need to keep rolling no matter what happens. Close and lock your office door if possible. Place a yellow sticky note on your doorbell asking that people not ring the bell. These steps can minimize or eliminate external sounds that would distract your viewers.

Avoid creating your own distractions, too. Gillian suggests that you minimize gesturing with your hands in front of you while speaking. This creates a phenomena Gillian called “monster hands.” You will see how distracting this is by moving your hand in front of you while talking to the camera. And look into the camera, not your screen, during the interview.

According to Steve Frederick’s newsletter post, AI interviewers will detect body language. Again, an AI, unlike a person, will give you no clues when your nonverbal communication does not look right.

Create a strong interview closing.

The traditional end of an in-person interview is to hand the interviewers your business card and then shake hands. An electronic equivalent of your card is a QR code LinkedIn can create for you. You can place this code on the screen for your audience to use to access your profile. You can also provide attachments, such as an updated resume, specialized resume, or a portfolio as an attachment in the Zoom chat window.

While electronic “leave behinds” may be a clever idea, Gillian discourages using a virtual handshake emoji. It is not good practice, she said, to use an emoji in formal meetings.

Content is king.

Last, but not least, remember that the content is king. An AI, according to Steve Frederick, will assess your responses for alignment with the keywords and other factors it is programed to look for. In other words, the AI acts something like an ATS resume scanner so it is especially important to have succinct accomplishment stories that highlight relevant skills.

You will not succeed in anticipating everything, but you can be prepared to “keep rolling” and make a great impression on camera.