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Employers find video interviews appealing for a number of reasons. For starters, they save time and hiring expenses because of reduced travel costs and management time.

Video interviews also provide consistency in the interviewing process. All candidates are asked the same set of questions, and hiring managers can replay, review, and rate the interviews online and compare responses.

Video interviews also have benefits for job seekers – as long as candidates are prepared and do their homework. A successful video interview can be as effective as an in-person interview, but it’s important to understand how the process works. In general, these are the steps in a video interview:

· The company selects candidates for video interviews.

· Arrangements for an interview are scheduled at a company office, an off-site location with a webcam setup, or via a webcam sent to the applicant.

· A tutorial will provide instructions on the webcam and the interview.

· There will be 10-15 questions related to the job opening.

· The applicant will have 30 seconds to read the question and two minutes to respond.

Video Interview Tips

· Review all the instructions and don’t be hesitant to ask for help if you’re not sure how the webcam works.

· Dress appropriately in professional interview attire, just like you would for an in-person interview.

· Practice! If you have a webcam, record yourself to see how you appear on camera.

· Be aware of your surroundings and lighting.

· Look at the camera, not down at the desk or table.

Remember that a video interview is a “real” interview. In fact, given that the interview can be scored and reviewed, it can be even more important than a typical first-round phone or screening interview.

For more information about video interviews, see the entire article on About.com.