The last several years have seen many changes to the job hunting process, and one of the biggest changes has been the increasing popularity of Zoom interviews (or Microsoft Teams, Google Meeting, etc.). For many people, this may be a new experience for them as they begin looking for a new job in a totally different way than they might have done pre-Covid. In this blog post we give job seekers 10 tips on how to have successful Zoom/online interviews.
TOP 10 TIPS
1. Research the organization
It’s important to know as much as possible about the company you’re interviewing with. Researching the organization will help you feel more confident in your answers and show that you are truly interested in the position. Find out about the company’s products and services, market share, growth strategy, management team, competitors, and industry trends. Make sure that any information you find is accurate and up to date.
2. Familiarize yourself with the technology
If you haven’t used Zoom before, try it out beforehand. Make sure that you have tested its video conferencing capabilities and can operate it without any difficulties. Also, if you are a bit nervous about using this technology for the first time, practice using it with friends or family members before going for your job interview. You can test out your camera and microphone by starting a Zoom test call.
3. Use a computer, not a smartphone
Avoid using your smartphone or tablet for the interview as some tend to have poor sound quality and may not support all features of Zoom. Make sure that you use a laptop or desktop computer with a high-speed internet connection for conducting an interview over Zoom.
4. Prepare your responses
You must prepare your responses ahead of time so you can answer questions quickly and confidently. Plan what you want to say when the interviewer asks about your strengths and weaknesses because this is an opportunity for you to explain how your skills fit their needs. Do not just wing it and hope you remember what you want to say. If you have prepared, then you will feel more confident and less stressed during the interview. The nice thing about a Zoom interview is that you can place your notes out of sight of the camera and glance at them when you need to.
5. Dress professionally but comfortably
You want to look good, but there is no need to dress like you are going to a ball or meeting royalty. For most jobs, it’s best to dress in clothes that are professional but comfortable.
6. Choose an appropriate background
When choosing where to sit during your interview, choose somewhere that has good lighting so that the interviewer can see your face. A white wall or plain background will give off a clean vibe that makes you look professional. If your background is cluttered or has distracting elements in it (such as posters or pictures), the viewer will be distracted from focusing on your face during the interview. On Microsoft Teams and Zoom you can also choose to filter your own background to one of an office setting or just blur your background so it is not distracting. Just make sure to do this before the interview.
7. Make sure there are no distractions
Before you start the interview, take a quick look around the room to make sure it is distraction-free. Whether it is pets, the television, kids, or other people in the room, anything that might cause you or the interviewer to be distracted during the interview is something that should be removed before you start. You should also make sure that you are comfortable in the environment before starting the interview.
8. Mute when you are not speaking
When you are not speaking during an interview, and anticipate listening for a little while, you should mute your microphone so that the person interviewing you can’t hear any background noise. Muted microphones allow for a clean recording of each person’s responses and ensure that there are no distracting noises in the background of an interview recording.
9. Be mindful of your body language and facial expression
What you say may not always match how you communicate through your body language and facial expressions. So be aware of how others perceive you based on these factors and adjust accordingly throughout the interview process if needed. Make sure your body is facing the person interviewing you and avoid fidgeting or slouching in your chair. Be aware of your facial expressions because they can give away clues about how engaged or interested you are in the job opportunity being discussed.
10. Maintain eye contact
Maintaining good eye contact will help you build rapport with your interviewer, make a positive impression on them, and convey your interest in the position. Make sure to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying and ask questions when you don’t understand something, so they know you are paying attention. When you are speaking you can speak directly looking into your webcam if it is centered. It will make you look more confident.
To conclude:
As soon as possible after your interview, send a thank you note via email or regular mail. Thank you notes don’t have to be long–a simple “thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for me” goes a long way. Making this small gesture will make you stand out from other candidates who did not follow up after the interview.
Chris Salvadore
Director Corporate Accounts and Research
csalvadore@grncoastal.com
