Lesson plan – Video Interview Example A Step-by-Step Guide for Virtual Success
Transcript
Title: Preparing for a Virtual Job Interview
Narrator: Hi, I’m Ashley. If you’re watching this video, you’re likely preparing for a job interview and feel like you need a little help. Your interview is also likely to be virtual, i.e., a remote video call. To get hired in today’s job market, it is essential to master the art of the virtual interview.
In this video, you’ll get to learn by example. I’ll share how I prepare, offer a few little tips and tricks, and you’ll get to see an actual interview from start to finish. Don’t worry, we’re going to help you get really good at these. This is Job Science.
[Music]
Narrator: Today, I’ll be interviewing for the role of a marketing copywriter at a trendy athleisure company. Although virtual interviews do come with some new challenges, the fundamentals of what make for a successful interview remain the same. We’ll be focusing on the old and the new, and for those of you who might be doing prerecorded interviews, keep in mind that a lot of what we cover here today can be applied to that format as well.
Welcome to my bedroom. Some people prefer to do their work from home, in either the kitchen or the family room. That is no good if you’ve got roommates or family members flying in and out, especially for making that first impression. I recommend that you use a secluded room with a door you can shut, like your bedroom. That way you can control the environment.
Video calls are a window into who we are. I like to make sure that my background is clean and tidy. This is also a simple and subtle opportunity for me to reveal a little bit about myself. I also don’t want to sit too close or too far away from the camera, and it’s usually most flattering if you can be lit from the front, either natural window light or a lamp placed right at or slightly above your face. Watch out for brightly lit windows behind you. They can create that dark silhouette effect. The goal here is to achieve even lighting on both me and the entire room.
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Now I like to double-check my computer and video software settings, and be sure and test all that Wi-Fi strength. We don’t want your call to freeze during the interview. Now that I’m all set up, it’s time for me to think about what I want to say.
Before any interview, I always like to do a little research. I want to make sure I know the basics about the business, any recent news headlines, and most importantly, the job description. The goal is to sound natural and not too rehearsed. I also like to put together a quick cheat sheet, with some bulleted notes tailored to the role rather than memorizing answers. You’ll want to consider strengths, weaknesses, work style, and career goals. It also helps if you can prepare some anecdotes from your current or a recent job, maybe a problem you solved or a special achievement. I’m also going to write down three to five questions of my own. Asking questions conveys enthusiasm, and also signals that I’ve done my homework and want to learn more.
Even though I’ll be working from home, I think it’s important to dress professionally. Wardrobe style is different for everyone, so you should think about what that means for you and for the role. I aim for one step up from how I would normally dress for work since this is an interview. The sweats in the pj’s will be there after it’s over.
It’s time. Now, if you’re still not feeling ready, check out our video on how to answer tricky interview questions by clicking this link right here. Okay, let’s do this. Don’t forget to silence your cell phone and desktop notifications before logging in.
[Music]
Interviewer: Hey, Ashley. There you are. Thanks for sitting down with me today.
Ashley: Hi, Joe, so nice to finally meet you.
Interviewer: How’s your day going so far?
Ashley: Pretty good. Thanks for asking, except that my dog caused quite a scene on our walk this morning.
Interviewer: Oh no. I know how that goes. I have a Frenchie, and she can be a handful.
Narrator: Let’s pause for a second. He likes dogs. Awesome. Engaging in small talk can help you find some common ground; pets, the weather, can be just about anything as long as you keep it brief and professional. I also made it a point to repeat his name. People subconsciously appreciate that, and saying it out loud will actually help you remember his name. Also, I think the small talk is going well, but I think my body language is revealing how nervous I am. I’m going to take a moment to stop fidgeting with my hair and biting my nails. If you’re like me and have nervous ticks, it’s okay to glance at yourself on the monitor while you’re talking on the screen to make little adjustments during your interview.
Interviewer: Can you tell me a little bit more about yourself and why do you think you’d be a good addition to the team?
Ashley: Well, I have a background in writing web and email copy for fitness products, and I’m good at generating clever calls-to-action that deliver results. For example, my copy significantly increased our clickthrough rates and sales rose over 20% last quarter alone. I’m looking to join a team that will allow me to contribute and grow even more, and because you are in the athleisure space, I think that my skills and experience would be an asset.
Interviewer: That’s great to hear, Ashley. Our email copy could use a facelift. That said, there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen that make it tough for us to radically shift our brand voice. I wonder if you could share an example of a challenge or problem you faced, and how were you able to solve it?
Narrator: Whoa, that took a turn. Now I mentioned earlier that it’s good to have an anecdote handy, and then I completely forgot to prepare one in my notes, but that’s okay. I’m just going to take a breath and do my best to be transparent, while showing some self-awareness.
Ashley: Well, I don’t have an example off the top of my head, but I’m always trying to think outside the box when my team and I get stuck. Actually, that just reminded me. There was this one wearable product that was actually really hard to get people interested in, and everybody knew it. When my boss put me on it at first, I was pretty intimidated, but then I realized I’m not the target demographic, my parents are, so I asked them what they liked about the product, and that inspired to me talking points. That copy is actually one of my favorite writing samples, and yes, as a result of the new copy, the product started selling. Goes to sell the power of good copy.
Interviewer: I’d love to take a look at that sample. Can you email it to me later?
Ashley: Absolutely.
Narrator: I took a moment and decided to talk about one of my strengths, outside the box thinking. Thanks mainly to my cheat sheet. As you saw, it jogged my memory inadvertently about a specific win
Plan
Listening Comprehension Exercise: Virtual Job Interview
Timing-Based Listening Sections
Objective: Students will practice listening comprehension by engaging with three distinct sections of the script, each followed by targeted activities.
Section 1: Preparing for a Virtual Interview (0:00 - 2:10)
🎧 Listening Task:
- Students listen to the first part of the video (0:00 - 2:10) without the script.
🔎 Comprehension Questions:
- What is the main goal of this video?
- Why is mastering virtual interviews important in today’s job market?
- What are the two main challenges discussed about virtual interviews?
- What role does the background of a video call play in making a good impression?
- What is one tip Ashley gives about lighting during virtual interviews?
💬 Discussion Prompt:
- Why do you think virtual interviews require more preparation than in-person ones?
- What personal experiences have you had with virtual calls?
📖 Vocabulary Focus:
- Virtual interview
- First impression
- Environment control
- Natural lighting
- Silhouette effect
Section 2: Preparing Responses and Appearance (2:11 - 5:30)
🎧 Listening Task:
- Students listen to the second section (2:11 - 5:30) and take notes.
🔎 Gap Fill Exercise:
Complete the sentences with the correct words from the listening passage:
- Before an interview, Ashley recommends doing __________ about the company.
- To avoid sounding too rehearsed, she prefers making a __________ instead of memorizing answers.
- Preparing anecdotes is useful, especially when talking about __________ and __________.
- Dressing appropriately is important, and Ashley suggests going __________ above your usual work attire.
- She advises writing down __________ questions to ask the interviewer.
💬 Discussion Prompt:
- What do you think is the best way to sound natural in an interview?
- How can body language affect how an interviewer perceives you?
📖 Vocabulary Focus:
- Rehearsed answers
- Anecdotes
- Work style
- Career goals
- Cheat sheet
Section 3: Conducting the Interview and Common Mistakes (5:31 - 9:34)
🎧 Listening Task:
- Students listen to the final section (5:31 - 9:34).
🔎 True or False Exercise:
- Ashley begins the interview with small talk about her favorite book. (T/F)
- Using the interviewer’s name can help create a connection. (T/F)
- If you don’t have an answer ready, it’s best to make something up. (T/F)
- Talking negatively about a past employer is a good idea. (T/F)
- Asking questions at the end of an interview is unnecessary. (T/F)
💬 Discussion Prompt:
- What are some common mistakes people make in interviews?
- How can you handle a question you’re not prepared for?
📖 Vocabulary Focus:
- Small talk
- Engaging body language
- Self-awareness
- Interviewer’s perception
- Professional etiquette
📝 Homework Assignment:
- Find a job ad online and prepare three responses for a mock interview using the strategies from the lesson.
This structured listening activity helps students engage with the material at different levels: understanding, analysis, and application. Would you like me to adjust anything or add more exercises? 🚀
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ID: 202502071002 Source:: Friend:: Child:: Next:: Didactic materials. Video Interview Example A Step-by-Step Guide for Virtual Success. Interview samples
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