Top 4 mistakes to avoid in your next video interview

So, you’ve figured out which pub and restaurant job is right for you. Next up is learning how to make the right impression in your next video interview. You’ve probably heard your fair share of interview advice – go in with a firm handshake, always ask questions at the end, and dress to impress. Yep, you know the deal with what you need to do, now we’re going to share what not to do. So here they are, the top four mistakes to avoid in your next video interview:

1. Picking a cluttered background

Chances are, like most people, your makeshift office space is a spot in your bedroom or at your kitchen table. Interviewers will understand this, but what they don’t want to see is a cluttered background. No matter the level of job, whether you’re applying for a kitchen assistant job or a role at head office, you need to keep things professional.

Choose a bright and clear background to make sure the spotlight is on you. This will help the interviewer focus on what a great team player you are. A LinkedIn survey found a strong link between employees who are work well in a team and those that are top performer, so it’s a key skill employers look out for.

2. Not checking your video settings

Remember this is not a zoom quiz with your friends, so whatever setting you’ve got saved, check them before the video interview. You might have a fun space-themed background switched on automatically, but that’s not going to help you impress the hiring manager. Make sure your username is your full name, and if you have a photo assigned to your profile, ask yourself if it’s appropriate. This takes us to the next point - testing your tech.

3. Failing to test your tech

Technical difficulties happen to the best of us, and hiring managers will be very understanding if they happen on the day. But they might leave you feeling flustered, and that’s not a good way to start the interview. Did you know that over two in three hiring managers admit that a late interviewee sets a bad impression? It doesn’t matter if the interview is virtual, you still need to respect the interviewer’s time. So, here’s a checklist to make sure it goes smoothly on the day:

• The audio must be crystal clear
• Watch out for time lags
• Check your laptop battery. You don’t want to dash off to find the charger when you’re busy dazzling the interviewers with your prepared answers to common interview questions.

With your tech tested, you can calm any of those pre-interview nerves and focus on being your friendly self. It’s important to be confident and talk up your experience – also one of the top tips for writing a hospitality CV.

4. The wrong body language

The hiring manager will still be looking out for body language cues over the screen. Strong eye contact is often the top thing interviewers look out for. It shows your confident, engaged and helps you build a social connection, even through a screen. So it will be no surprise that 65% of interviewers revealed that candidates who didn’t make good eye contact were unsuccessful in the interview process. This is top advice if you’re applying to a pub or restaurant manager role because the interviewer will be looking for someone who has good social skills and can confidently chat with customers.

Here are other things you need to keep in mind are:

• Keep a straight posture
• Smile genuinely
• Don’t go overboard with hand gestures
• Nod to show that you’re actively listening

Are you looking for a job in hospitality?

Now you know what the top four mistakes to avoid in a video interview are, you’re one step closer to landing your next job. If you’re searching for something in a pub, restaurant or bar, then you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you’ve got a flair for cooking and love working in an energetic environment, so a chef job could be right for you? Or maybe you’re looking for a role where you get to know the locals, like a bar and waiting job. Though we’re not currently hiring, we are getting ready to open our doors and welcome back our colleagues and customers. So check back in soon and sign up for job alerts.