How to prepare yourself for that big talk
Are you preparing yourself for a video recording? Maybe doing an interview over video for the first time? Wondering what you should do to prepare yourself for the video? All of this will be found in this article.
Before we go on we want to let you know that this is 2nd article in our series of How to look like a pro on a video.
The type of preparation
The preparation we will talk about this is mostly mental preparation. We will help you with few pointers what is important to have ready for when you start the recording.
This is not only true for video recording that you will share in future, this also applies to live video. With that said, let us bite into the subject. The list we have in front of us is:
- Prepare a list
- Mirror mirror on the wall…
- Choose your location
- Set your light
Preparing a list
It is always good when a list starts with a list. We got that one checked off from ours, so we can discuss the one you will make with that out of the way.
First you will need to know what you will be talking about. This is what your list is all about. Depending what the recording is going to be focused on you might need to prepare slightly differently.
For example, if you are preparing for interview, consider if you know what questions they might ask. While it is a good example where anything can happen, you are still actually in control just enough that you can properly prepare.
In every interview they will ask you about your name, your previous positions and usually why you are leaving. Quite likely your interests in the new position and your plans for new 5 years. This can of course greatly depend so you should know if some others are more likely for your case.
Write the questions on a piece of paper and try to answer them for yourself. This takes us to the next segment of this article.
Mirror mirror on the wall…
Mirrors are great for many things. Now that you have a list of likely or specific things that you will talk about mirror is your best friend. Well, best friend would be the camera to see yourself, however if you are not ready for that mirror will work as well.
We would suggest recording yourself since that would help you with the ability to play it back. That way you can focus on recording and then listening to yourself speak.
Practice makes perfect and practicing few times before the video interview or call is great to be perfect.
Just remember most people take few times before they get to do things exactly how they like it. Take as many as you need and remember this is just a practice and every take helps.
Choose your location
Often people focus on what they will wear or how they will behave, etc. and forget that the background is important as well. If you are applying to a position in library it likely helps having the background where there are books neatly stored in their place.
Likewise if you are a gym or fitness instructor, it makes sense if there is a gym gear behind you. Having ton of books on floor and table, and a box with a slice of pizza on the bed is more than likely not a good background for neither of our two examples.
So position yourself with the idea in mind as to what might be seen and what you are applying to or recording for.
Set your light
Sometimes we need to record ourselves while it is dark or cloudy outside. Other times we might have natural light coming in. The most important thing is that regardless of the same you should always have the light work for you.
If you can face the natural light and it is not too bright to be hard on you to watch towards, this is best setup to use. Your face would get a lot of natural light and camera would be able to nicely capture the same.
What you would want to avoid is the reverse position where your camera is directly facing the sun. Even from a side it could leave a trace on lens and as such on the video itself.
So make sure that camera always has the light behind it and that you have it in front of you.
Summary
Remember to prepare the list of possible questions you will be asked and in doing so list of answers you would like to talk about. With the list prepared practicing few times will help you make it easier for you to record yourself.
The practice makes perfect and while not many things are perfect in the world, the Pro on a video is someone that knows how to prepare best for what is coming. In the same time understanding that there might be a glitch or two along the way and to go through it.
Remember that this is a series of blog posts and that we will have another one following this one which will tell you what you want to have with you during the call.