Video Interview - Recording Guide for Apex Care Professionals

Welcome to your video interview! Making a great first impression is important, and setting up your phone correctly is the best way to ensure you look professional, approachable, and ready to shine.

Click here to take the short 7 question Video Interview, that we can share with interested Host Families.

Before you start, follow these easy steps to set up your phone camera before you hit „record“:

1. Preparation & Settings

Clean your lens: Our phones go everywhere with us. Give your front-facing camera lens a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth or soft shirt to remove any smudges or fingerprints.
Turn on „Do Not Disturb“: Prevent phone calls, text messages, or app notifications from interrupting your recording or distracting you while you speak.
Check your battery: Make sure your phone has plenty of charge (at least 50%) before starting the interview.

2. Perfect Your Lighting

Face the light: Natural light is your best friend. Sit facing a window so the light shines evenly on your face.
Avoid backlighting: Never sit with a window or bright light source directly behind you, as this will turn you into a dark silhouette and make it difficult for us to see your face.
Indoor lighting: If you are recording at night or in a room without windows, place a lamp directly in front of you, just behind your phone.

3. Stabilize Your Phone

No shaky hands: Do not hold your phone while recording. A shaky camera can be distracting.
Prop it up: If you don’t have a phone tripod, prop your phone up securely against a stack of books, a coffee mug, or a laptop screen. Make sure it won’t slide or fall mid-sentence!

4. Framing and Eye Contact

Eye level is key: Position your phone so the camera lens is exactly at your eye level. Looking down at your phone creates an unflattering angle, and looking up makes you seem distant.
Head and shoulders: Frame yourself so the camera captures your head, shoulders, and the top of your torso. Leave a small amount of space between the top of your head and the top of the screen.
Look at the lens, not yourself: It is tempting to look at your own face on the screen, but to make eye contact with your interviewer, you need to look directly into the camera lens.

5. Audio and Environment

Find a quiet space: Choose a room free of background noise. Close doors and windows, and make sure pets or roommates won’t interrupt you.
Watch out for echoes: Empty rooms can cause a distracting echo. Rooms with carpets, curtains, and furniture absorb sound much better.
Speak clearly: You don’t need to shout, but project your voice clearly. If you have a pair of wired or Bluetooth earbuds with a built-in microphone, use them—they usually capture much better audio than the phone’s built-in mic.

6. Watch a Sample - Recorded for you by former Apex Social Care Professional Dina

A Quick Final Tip: Smile and take a deep breath before you start! We want to see your genuine personality shine through. Don’t worry about being perfect; just focus on being yourself.