Corporate Video Interviews

How to prepare for a corporate video interview

Josh Rockman Video Production, Video Production tips Leave a Comment

Here we take a look at the do’s and don’ts of being interviewed on camera so you’ll know exactly how to prepare for a corporate video interview.

Interviews are often a vital part of corporate videos. From company profiles to case studies and testimonial videos, all of these can be given more authenticity by using interviews, creating a stronger connection between the viewer and the brand. But if this is going to work effectively, the person being interviewed has to know how to present themselves well on camera!

What does an interview for a corporate video involve?

While some interviews are dramatised or scripted, the vast majority are “talking head” interviews. The person being interviewed is asked questions by an interviewer who is off-camera, so the focus is all on the interviewee.

The topics are usually predetermined in advance and the questions are open-ended, giving the interviewee the chance to show their knowledge, talk about their experiences, and give their opinions. However, the answers are unscripted, giving the interview the feeling of a natural conversation.

How to prepare for your interview

Being interviewed for a corporate video can be a daunting experience, especially if you’ve never done it before! But by taking the right steps, you can make the process much easier for yourself and produce better results for the company.

A production video monitor with interviewee on screen

Here are some important tips to remember when preparing for your interview:

1. Don’t plan what to say

Corporate videos are designed to build trust, which will persuade consumers to interact with the brand. This can only happen if the video seems authentic.

For this reason, it’s important not to rehearse your answers to the questions, even though you will probably know in advance what the topics will be. You don’t want the interview to sound forced or stilted as this will make the conversation feel less genuine, which could prevent people from forming a connection with the brand. It’s much more effective if you can be spontaneous and let your personality shine through.

If you really need to brainstorm before the interview, stick to a few keywords rather than pre-planning whole phrases. This way your sentences will sound natural.

2. Look at the interviewer

The camera will be pointing at you during your interview and the interviewer won’t be in the shot. This is because the focus is on your answers rather than the questions.

However, it’s important to look at the interviewer rather than the camera. The interview needs to give the impression of a natural conversation, so the audience needs to know you’re talking to a real person.   

3. Include the question in your answer

Often, in corporate videos, the interviewer’s questions are edited out, so only your answers are shown. This means you need to find a way, through your answers, to let the viewer know what question was asked.

For example, if the interviewer asks what your experience was like working with the brand and you simply answer, “It was great,” the audience won’t know what you’re referring to. It’s helpful to give an answer like, “My experience working with the brand was extremely positive.” This makes it clear what question you have been asked while still allowing you to give a clear response.

4. Think about your appearance

It’s a good idea to keep your appearance simple on camera. Details such as logos on clothing or a highly patterned tie can be distracting for the viewer. Also, avoid clothing or jewellery which makes a rustling or jangling noise as these can be amplified by the microphones and potentially drown out what you’re saying.

video interview screen shot of clean professional appearence clothing

5. Trust the production team and be yourself

A good production team will make you feel at ease so you can relax on camera. This is extremely important – you need to speak freely in your interview as this produces the most authentic effect.

Don’t worry about saying the “right” or “wrong” thing, just answer the questions honestly. If you’re not too guarded about what you’re saying, you can provide insights and provoke emotions that create strong connections with the viewer. And if you feel you’ve made a mistake or said something you’re not happy with, this can always be edited out later!

Photo of Director and Cameraman interviewing a polo player

More information about corporate videos

If you’d like to find out more about corporate video production, we’re always happy to help. Please start on out home page where you can find further details and a contact form.

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