4 Tips For Flawless EW Video Interviews

July 21, 2016

One-hundred forty years after the invention of the telephone, organizations across the globe are still using it to run their business. That is, until recently. For the past decade, video conferencing technology has continued to mature and is rapidly becoming the preferred communication method for remote business meetings. Video-based interviews are providing hiring authorities worldwide access to potential candidates without the cost of bringing them onsite.

What makes this method so attractive is the face-to-face experience with easy setup and virtually no cost. Being ready for a video conference is becoming increasingly important in the expert witness industry. Attorneys are always looking for an edge, and saving time and money finding the right expert is no exception. Below are practical tips that will help you look your best during web-based video interviews.

1. Invest in the right tools

The most important tool for video conferencing is a webcam. Webcams come in many varieties at different prices, which may make choosing the right one an intimidating venture. Logitech is a great choice when it comes to webcams. Not only do they have excellent optics and noise-cancelling microphones, but they are also compatible with the majority of web conferencing software. The Logitech C310 is the base recommended model, however, for the best picture quality on a web conference, we recommend the Logitech HD Pro C920. These devices cost around $30 and $60 respectively.

2. Don’t skimp on bandwidth

While the hardware your PC or Mac is running is important (I recommend a machine fewer than 3 years old, with business-class specs for best results), your internet connection speed - both upstream and downstream - are vital to running a quality web conference. While the recommended connection speed for HD video is at least 1.5Mbps, keep in mind that other activities on your network, such as online video streaming or gaming, will affect that speed. Plan accordingly. Avoid conducting interviews on public Wi-Fi connections, such as in coffee shops or airports. Not only are these locations full of distractions, the quality and integrity of the internet connections are suspect at best.

3. Know the software

The vast majority of web conferencing software contains similar features and functions, albeit organized differently. Familiarize yourself with the controls of the most prevalent platforms - such as Skype, Webex, and GoToMeeting. If an interview has been set up using conference software you are unfamiliar with, ask the organizer or their assistant to conduct a test run prior to the meeting. Not only will this allow you to pre-install any software plugins necessary, it will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the controls - making you look much more prepared and professional during the conference.

4. Get the lighting right

While looking your best and dressing professionally for an interview may be a no-brainer, there are other considerations when interviewing remotely. Since you are essentially bringing a would-be employer into your home or office, ensure the area is well lit, clean, and looks professional. Natural light is best, but make sure that it is coming from an angle that complements your appearance without creating a glare. Avoid light from the back or side that cast hard shadows or create a silhouette effect. Avoid bright colors, solid blacks and reds, and busy patterns. Light pastels and muted colors provide the best video appearance. Place the webcam on the top center of the monitor that is displaying the meeting video window. This ensures you are face-to-face with the interviewer and gives the appearance of maintaining good eye contact. Mitigate potential noise issues and other distractions such as household appliances, cell phones, children, and pets.

Video conferencing is shaping the future of business communication today. Web-based video technology will continue to improve and enhance every aspect of business as we know it. Very soon, starting a video call with a friend or colleague will be an extension, if not the default method, for communication. In the meantime, becoming proficient with the various offerings in this space can give you the competitive edge you need to win the best expert witness opportunities.

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Comments

	Frank F.
	Regarding the hardware, I've found that using an over-the-ear headset (both ears) and boom microphone is generally acceptable for teleconferences. While we're not looking our most fashionable, the BIG improvement in sound quality makes it much more acceptable to everyone. Without the speakerphone effect (confusing many noise cancellation systems), the audio is much clearer and the microphone is not fighting with the audio speaker. On the listening side, especially with the over-the-ear binaural headset it means that YOU, without your surrounding ambient noise, are hearing people better (with less ambient noise), which allows YOU to accommodate other listener's poor hardware set-up. The Apple ear-buds/mic is ok in a pinch, but not great. I regularly use the Microsoft LX-3000 LiveChat USB headset for web conferencing and skype ... a real workhorse and rugged (considering the number of times I've accidentally dropped it or squished it). This headset has volume up/down, and mute with a red LED indicating the call is muted. I also use the Radio Shack Auvio headset/mic combo, which works nicely on Macs that have a single audio in/out jack. And works nice on cell phones when you want to have a hands free discussion. All of the above are around $30-40. Plantronics makes headsets you can wear all day, but they are pricey ($90-ish for Audio 995, $400-ish for Savi 700 series). I've used Plantronics headsets for about 25 years, they are the best, and if you have a phone attached to your face for much of the day, they are really worth the price in comfort, quality, and less fatigue. Here are some tips on use: You'll need to play with the system and application controls to make sure it works right. For example, maybe you're listening to Spotify on bookshelf speakers, but want to have your web chat on your headset. There are three places this stuff is controlled: (1) in the system preferences, this is the default audio in/out devices; (2) in the application itself (which can override the system defaults); and (3) in the Flash preferences (some systems use Flash for conferencing via web interface). In all cases, test the volume levels on both speakers and mic. If you have skype, try the Test Call feature which will test headset and mic -- even if you're not using skype for your conference call. Also, MAKE USE OF THE MUTE BUTTON. Unless the conversation is really rapid back and forth, make sure to mute yourself because there are many background noises that's we're not paying attention to (like that fan or A/C blowing on you), or there are little background noises that all of us make while sitting this that we are COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS TO, yet if you heard an audio recording, you be asking: Is That Me? Did I Make That Noise? Lastly, know what the protocol is for discussing, taking turns, and interrupting. For web/telecons, there might be a Raise Hand feature to ask a question (of course it requires the presenter to pay attention to it), and make use of the Chat facility to send/receive stuff that is much easier to copy/paste than to read over the phone (e.g., sharing URLs). And, remember that it's all going to break down, the other people on the call haven't a clue as to why the connection is bad (because there aren't any actual telephones involved anymore), and unless you can trace network problems, well you're sorta stuck ... but, hey, they're having the same problem, too, so you're ok. :-)
	7/21/2016 8:50:35 PM

	Douglas E.
	No matter what other advice given in this article, if you don't pay attention to getting the lighting right, your video can appear poor and unprofessional. With the highest bandwidth and finest microphone and webcam, this will be still be true.
	7/21/2016 2:45:13 PM

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