6 Zoom Interview Tips For Job Seekers

Interviews, for example, are carried out with video conferencing tools like Zoom in this new era of remote work. 

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

In essence, virtual interviews follow the same rules as in-person interviews with regards to your dress code, acceptable body language, and the nature of the questions. However, there are some things unique to the virtual event and here are 6 tips for those to ensure your Zoom interview runs smoothly:

Use a professional background

When you’re setting up for your Zoom interview, make sure you choose a space with a neat background without too much clutter or odds and ends that may distract the interviewer. 

Besides taking the focus away from you, these may also give interviewers a negative impression of you, for example if they see your unmade bed in the background. While you’re selecting a place to set up with a good background, choose somewhere with good lighting so your video will be clear, as well as somewhere quiet and free from distractions. You can also use the virtual backgrounds provided on the platfor

Use a laptop or computer for the interview

While the mobile app may seem convenient, a laptop or computer will give the interviewer a clearer view of you during your Zoom call. In addition, phones are less convenient to use, especially if you’ll be holding the device up as this may result in awkward angles and a shaky video. 

When you set up your laptop or computer, make sure to close all other websites, mute notifications from other applications, and use Zoom on full screen to avoid distractions during the interview. Putting your phone on silent too during your call is also good practice.

Look into the camera

During in-person interviews, it’s recommended to maintain eye contact with the person conducting an interview. In a Zoom interview, that’s a little tricky to manage through the screen but a good hack is looking directly into the camera

To make this virtual eye contact effective, ensure that you set your laptop or computer in a position where you’re eye level with the webcam. You should also be clearly visible on the screen rather than having part of your head outside the screen or too much of the space above your head showing. 

Use the mute button

The mute button is one of the most convenient features for Zoom interviews. It comes in handy, especially when the interviewer is speaking for a long time and you want to shut out background noises on your end so they don’t get distracted by them.

Remember to unmute your microphone when it’s your turn to speak or they won’t be able to hear what you’re saying. Practice using the platform before your interview so you can get familiar with these Zoom features beforehand and avoid mishaps that might come up.  

Keep your screen clear

In the event that you might need to share your screen, make sure it’s clear of anything else you won’t need, like videos or other websites. This will prevent mishaps like videos randomly playing in the middle of your interview and interrupting you. 

While you’re at it, make sure you have a decent wallpaper on your screen to avoid any embarrassment when you share it with the interview board. 

Don’t join the meeting too early

This might seem odd because being punctual to anything is usually considered a good thing. However, with Zoom interviews, some people prefer to use the same meeting ID for all their candidates so if you join too early, you might intrude on another candidate’s slot. 

It’s understandable that you’ll want to be early in case of any technical issues that might cause delays. A good rule of thumb is logging into the interview at most 2 to 3 minutes before your meeting time, which is usually safe

“The technology you use impresses no one. The experience you create with it is everything.” – Sean Gerety