Do you have a Zoom interview coming up soon? Here are seven pro tips that will save your soul and help you ace any video interview.
The world is shifting towards a work-from-home revolution. And technology is the piggy-back ride for this change. But work-from-home also brings with itself the idea of hire-from-home.
Recruiters are looking for ways to leverage digital assets for hiring candidates. It saves time, cuts down costs, and offers added convenience. One crucial part of the hiring process is virtual interviews.
Companies are actively using virtual meeting apps like Zoom that have made it possible to apply for jobs without worrying about geographical constraints. However, just because you’re not meeting the recruiter in person, it’s not a smart idea to take video interviews for granted.
Lack of preparation for zoom interviews can turn the tables on your career plans. So, why not improve with modern technology and learn your way around video interviews. These seven solid tips on zoom interviews will help you big time!
1. Never Log in Early on Zoom for Interviews
It’s generally advisable to be 10-15 minutes early for in-person interviews. However, you might want to think it through in case of a video interview. Chances are that your recruiter is using the same meeting room for interviewing other candidates too.
Imagine the embarrassment of jumping in when the recruiter is interviewing someone else. Lest you become a laughing stock, you should not log-in earlier than 2-3 minutes. Better yet, be on the dot as everyone appreciates punctuality.
2. Avoid Distractions in Your Surroundings
During the interview, you’d want that interviewer’s entire focus on you. So, avoid any distractions that your surroundings may create. Choose a quiet, well-lit area of the house for the interview.
Make sure there are no ‘loud’ posters/pictures/objects visible in your background. A plain blank wall or your office space is best for the background. You can also activate virtual backgrounds made available by Zoom for interviews.
Another thing you don’t want is kids or pets walking in and interrupting you unexpectedly. So, make sure they do not enter the space by assigning someone to look after them.
3. Dress as You Would for a Personal Interview
Now, this is a very common advice for interviews. However, you may be tempted to ignore it during a video interview. But let’s face it; wearing a suit on pajamas only looks clever in YouTube memes.
Don your best formal attire for the interview. Wear that classy belt and also put on your new shoes. Because when you’re dressed for the job, your face will glow with confidence.
But don’t overdo your apparels, and avoid shiny earrings or necklace. Also, choose somber shades of clothing to look neat but minimalistic. Some companies also prefer business casuals for interviews, so check the guidelines first.
4. Practice Makes You… Not Perfect (But Close)
And you will surely want to be the closest to perfection during the interview. So ring up your friend and organize a mock Zoom interview. Have a feel of how you sound and look in the video meeting.
You can also practice some common interview questions. It will make you more confident while answering the interviewer. Thanks to Zoom, you can record the mock interview to reflect upon your weak areas.
Make sure you set up the mock interview exactly like the real one. Your background, attire, and even time should be similar to the actual set-up. This way, you won’t feel new to using Zoom for interviews.
5. Work on Body Language Specific to Video Interviews
Do you think body language and professional gestures are all a thing of personal interviews? Not really! There are many things a recruiter pays attention to even in video interviews.
So avoid making gestures that can turn their “yay” to “nay.” This includes slumping over on the screen, sitting cross-legged, or scratching your face. You should try your best to look relaxed and comfortable while answering the questions.
There are also some unconscious habits that people get into during meetings. Common ones are clenching your jaws and tapping your hands or feet. Look closely at your facial cues during the mock interview and try to work upon them.
Pro Tip: Look at the camera instead of your screen. It will make the recruiter feel you’re making eye-contact.
6. Check your System Properly
Here comes the important part- getting familiar with the tech. If you’re using Zoom for interviews the first time, test the waters before you swim. Ensure that your video equipment set-up is up to the mark.
Download the latest version of Zoom and test your internet connectivity. Run a few voice tests a day before and 10-15 minutes before the interview. Also, make sure your webcam is capturing your head and shoulders together in the frame.
Focus more on the audio quality than the video quality. A disruption in your audio can greatly influence the impact of your answers. In case of a problem, contact a tech-savvy friend or the Zoom support team.
7. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts for Zoom
This tip can prove to be a real lifesaver. Many times, unexpected distractions arise despite enough preparation.
Let’s say there’s a sudden disturbance outside or even worse- you’re on the verge of a nasty sneeze.
At such a time, you can mute the audio by pressing Alt+A (or Cmd+Ctrl+M). What’s more, pressing Alt+Shift+S will share your screen in case you want to show them something. This way, you can easily tackle any unforeseeable situation.
Conclusion
Kudos! You’re now armored with seven useful interview tips that you can take advantage of while using zoom for interviews. As virtual e-meet ups are on the way to becoming the new normal, these hacks will surely help you in the long run.
