Congrats! You just landed a TV interview to show off your expertise in your field. So have you perfected your at-home interview skills? Remote interviews are likely here to stay even after the pandemic is over. Media outlets like them because they are easier to set up quickly when journalists are on deadline and will be more accepted by viewers going forward.
Landing a TV interview in the middle of a global pandemic has put a new twist on perfecting your interview skills. Remote Interviews have taken over and are likely to stay even after the pandemic is over. With the busy schedules of journalists, media outlets are turning to remote interviews to get the coverage they need.
TV interviews are stressful enough, So how do you prepare? What do you wear? What do you do if you freeze on camera? Here’s a quick checklist designed to ease your stress when preparing for your big moment:
- Do your research First things first, watch the show you landed the interview with before you make your appearance. Get to know the style of your interviewer. Some interviewers tend to be more serious while others are more relaxed. Take note of things like how fast they ask their questions. Prepare answers to likely questions keeping the tone of the interviewer in mind. The more insightful you are about your interviewer and their style, the more comfortable you will be on camera.
- Come up with your own questions Often the interviewer will give you a list of the questions in advance or will ask you to craft them. Make sure your answers to these questions are concise and highlight the key messages you want the viewers to hear. If you don’t know the questions, practice your key message points over and over. This helps build your confidence and will prevent you from freezing or stumbling on camera. If the interviewer asks a question you aren’t prepared for or don’t want to answer, you can always pivot the conversation. Practice phrases like “That’s an interesting question but what I want your viewers to know is XYZ.”
- Dress to impress Patterns may be fun for your remote happy hour but not for this opportunity. Bold patterns may appear differently on screen and distract the viewer from the important messages you’re trying to convey. Instead, try wearing bright, warm colors that will compliment your skin tone well on screen. And ladies, remote interviews tend to wash us out so increase the make-up a bit, just like you would for an in person interview. Another thing to consider when doing a remote interview is the room you take the video call in. Make sure to clean and prepare the room before and make sure nothing will interrupt you during the interview.
- Pay attention to your body language and eye contact Oftentimes when people get nervous, they tend to play with their rings, twirl their hair, or just simply move around too much. Try to keep your hands in your lap to minimize this and look directly into your camera. People tend to look at the platform preview of the interviewer which may be on the side of the screen, but it’s important to look straight into the camera to show confidence to viewers.
- Do a practice run Set up a quick practice call with a friend or colleague and ask them to record the test if possible. Make sure you use the remote platform that the interview will be conducted on. You don’t want to be downloading the program 5 minutes before the interview starts. Watch the recording to analyze your body language, check the lighting and sound quality, and to determine how well you are pacing yourself when you answer questions.
- Be prepared for technical difficulties Login to the interview 10-15 minutes in advance in case your internet connection is slow or you have any trouble. Have the dial-in phone number ready to go in case you lose your internet connection. You could still finish the interview on your phone.
The idea of being on TV can be daunting, and having to deal with remote technology can be an extra stressor, but just remember to treat your interview like a conversation rather than an interrogation and practice practice practice! Have fun and showcase your best self!
Based in Austin, Texas, Steel is a full-service integrated ad agency that uses a deep understanding of how families make purchase decisions to deliver brands that families love. In close partnership with our clients, Steel unites data, technology, creativity and influence to produce more stunning growth for brands in health, education, food and fun that serve the American family.
