Ace Your Zoom Interview With These 10 Tips

With a Zoom interview, there’s no stress of Google Mapping the company address and potentially missing your train. But punctuality is still key. Don’t make the mistake of waiting three minutes before your interview starts to realise your laptop is dead and your charger is missing. Join the call right on time to make a great first impression.

Check your background – is it free of clutter? In this case, a blank white wall isn’t boring; it’s clean and professional. You can also consider downloading a (work-appropriate) Zoom background or having a piece of decor that showcases your personality. “If you’re a sports fan, add an image of the postgame celebration you attended, or if you love to bake, add that photo of the cupcakes you just made,” Melissa Hirsch, principal recruiter at Betts, says. “At the very least, it’s a conversation starter, and you’ll be memorable in a sea of candidates.”

If you’ve ever taken a selfie before, you know the importance of good lighting. If possible, face a window or another light source during your video interview. A ring light can also make a huge difference.

You’ve worked hard to get to the interview stage, and all the attention should be on you and your credentials – not your favourite multicoloured sweater. Even though you aren’t meeting IRL, you should still look professional. “Dress as if you are going to the interview in person,” Colleen McCreary, Credit Karma’s chief people officer, says. “Plus, dressing the part may help contribute to your confidence while being interviewed.”

Before your interview, remember to silence your phone, let your roommates know you’ll be on Zoom, and consider keeping your pup occupied in another room. If you do get interrupted, McCreary says to apologise quickly and get back to the conversation. “If the interviewer makes a negative comment about it, it may be a sign that this company isn’t a good fit.”

Eye contact during an IRL interview is already awkward, but throw in a Brady Bunch panel of interviewers on a Zoom call and it gets even weirder. If you aren’t sure where to focus your eyes, Hirsch suggests looking straight at the webcam. “Somewhere on your screen, usually at the top center, you’ll see the green dot indicating that your camera is on and recording the conversation,” she says. “That’s where you should be doing your best to make eye contact.” It might feel like a staring contest, but you’ll come across as attentive and hirable.

Ever leave an in-person interview only to realize you forgot to bring up that one tidbit that would’ve landed you the job? The big perk of interviewing over Zoom is cheat sheets. Keep a list of must mentions next to your computer screen, and you’ll never forget to talk about the time you tripled your company’s year-over-year revenue. Just don’t read it off like a script.

“Too much verbiage on those notes, and you’ll end up memorising and sounding rehearsed,” Hirsch says. “Focus on authenticity and being natural, as it’s so much more important to be human.”

The body language we experience all the time IRL doesn’t translate as well over Zoom, thanks to lag time and, well, being behind a screen. Convey enthusiasm by smiling, nodding, talking with your hands, and sitting up straight. And remember, when you sign on or off, there’s no handshake. “Whatever you do, whether that’s a wave or a smile, own it,” Hirsch tells POPSUGAR. “It’s only awkward if you make it awkward.”

“We have all dealt with technical difficulties when interviewing, especially over the last few years while working from home,” McCreary says. “Luckily there’s empathy on the hiring managers’ side – but these are typically avoidable problems.” The HR pro recommends testing your internet connection and audio an hour or two before the meeting begins, then joining the call a few minutes early in case any other tech issues come up.

Practice makes perfect. This applies to hobbies like writing and running, as well as slightly less fun activities like Zoom interviews. “Practicing will help you feel more comfortable speaking to your work experience and how you’re the right fit for this role,” McCreary tells POPSUGAR. Rehearse your elevator pitch with a friend, practice answering questions you anticipate being asked, and record yourself to see where you can improve. Not only will you be extra prepared, but you’ll also feel as confident as ever.