Conquer stage fright to advance your career

In this connected world where so many live on social media, take selfies and post videos on YouTube or Instagram, it is rather surprising how many of us still shy away from appearing on camera. Well, if you reach for the panic button when you press record, don’t be concerned because your not alone.  Feeling uncomfortable about presenting yourself on camera is not only very common but is also completely natural. However, that is not a reason to avoid it – indeed that is the very reason you need to do it. 

Video technology is increasing exponentially.  By 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic (15 times higher than it was just 4 years ago) and interviewing for jobs is no different, with 59% of recruiting executives saying they would rather watch a video than read through text.

If you want to get fit – you exercise, if you want to lose weight – you change your diet; so if you want to present yourself over video you need to practice in front of the camera!  You have invested time and effort into learning your skills, profession or gaining qualifications, so now is not the time to hide away.  This is your chance to get in front of prospective employers and open-up opportunities that you may have not even considered possible.

The great news is that with Jobs 2U Direct you can re-take your videos as many times as you like, and if you still don’t like them, simply delete and try again later.  No need to be the next Leonardo DiCaprio or Meryl Streep either because employers want to see authenticity, not a movie star.  Minor blips are actually a good thing, they show your human side, and employers like to see how you deal with making a blip.  It is natural to be self-critical but whatever you do, do not aim for perfection because you will simply get frustrated and block potential career opportunities.

A useful feature we have added into Job 2U Direct is a cue prompt to enable you to either type in the text you want to say or add prompts to cover the key points.  It is easy to lose your train of thought in front of the camera and this is useful way to keep you on track.  It also gives your eyes something to focus on other than the camera lens.  

It’s common to be a bit rigid in front of a camera but we would encourage you to use some body language such as hand gestures to get across your points. This will make you feel more comfortable and again helps to make you look more authentic. However, try to not go over the top as it can also be distracting to the viewer.  We would also recommend you talk slightly slower than normal.  Forcing yourself to slow down a bit can also make you feel a bit calmer and conveys confidence to the viewer.

It is important to remember that you are in control.  If you are invited to a live video or face-to-face interview there are rarely second chances.  One mistake in a live setting could cost you the job and this can be very frustrating.  With pre-recorded video interviews, you have opportunity to prepare your answer and re-take them as many times as you like. To help we have also added a suite of videos into Jobs 2U Direct to help you with answering the questions.    

Finally, you are able to send a signal to your brain that this is not a ‘fight or flight’ situation through using breathing technique to help de-stress your body.  Called ‘belly breathing’, you start by inhaling deeply through your nose and slowly exhaling through your mouth, mirroring the time it took you to fill your lungs. You can also use correct posture and gentle stretching to reduce tension. For example, if you catch yourself crossing your arms and legs tightly, wringing your hands, or fidgeting, you’re only reinforcing your nervous state and will appear closed.  Sitting up straight, folding your hands in your lap, and crossing your ankles (if seated) are ways to not only project confidence, but to also calm the mind.

To summarise our recommendations:

1. Practice and then more practice – you can re-take your video as many times as you like!
2. Use our cue prompt to prepare your answers and take your eyes off the lens
3. Be comfortable using body language and speak a bit slower
4. Remember that you are in control and under no pressure
5. Watch our help videos to pick up some useful tips
6. Use de-stressing techniques to keep you calm and promote a confident image

In conclusion, video interviewing is increasing rapidly, so, invest some time in practicing in front of the camera.  You will be surprised how quickly you become comfortable at presenting over video.