Interview Strategies: Ace The Zoom Interview

 

New year, new me right?

The current pandemic has forced everyone to adjust their work life and that’s no different for hiring managers looking for exciting, intelligent talent! One way hiring managers have adapted is the now DREADED Zoom interview. The Zoom interview isn’t THAT different from a regular interview. The usual interview advice still stands: research the company, practice our favorite tip (Interview Strategies: S.T.A.R method), speak 10-15% slower than you usually do etc…but new situations call for new job searching strategies. So still wondering what Interview Strategies: Ace The Zoom Interview really means? Here are 5 excellent tips to pass that zoom interview!

     1.     Use post-its

• • Those little yellow paper squares? Yeah, those ones! Post them around the edge of the screen. When you glance at these notes, it won’t look obvious that you’re glancing at something else! Would you want to interview someone that’s constantly looking at something else? Didn’t think so! Write down the details you might need to remember, experiences you want to share, insights you have etc.   Write down some questions you want to ask the interviewer. Don’t know what to ask? We gathered some questions to ask interviewers just for you! 

     2.     Check your lighting

• • Ever look through your phone and notice how some selfies are on point and others aren’t? It’s probably the lighting. This is more of a photography tip than than anything but considering zoom interviews are just professional face-chatting, the devil is in the details.  Good lighting really makes the difference between video that’s professional or unprofessional. We’re not asking you to buy a Lightbox from Amazon to set up that perfect glow. But there are some simple tricks you can do.
  • Any good light source should be in FRONT of you! Not to the side where it can cast some drastic shadows and contrasts (Nosferato you are not!) If you’re’ on a laptop, tablet or phone, check to see if you can sit facing a window. Natural sunlight is divine. Maybe you’re born with it, maybe it’s our top notch advice. 😉

     3.     Check your background

• • Sometimes we need to state the obvious. Ask yourself if you want people to see how messy your room is. Or if your Jimi Hendrix poster collection is appropriate for hiring managers to see. Probably not, right? Your interviewer is going to see what’s behind you. Make sure your background is clean. Also, don’t interview from your bed. Just don’t!

     4.    Have a physical copy of your resume.

• • This is similar to the post-it tips in that it’s about having information available. The post its are just quick ways to remember info but having your resume on hand will give you all the deets that you can’t fit into those little yellow paper squares. Remembering all the little details of previous work duties is a tough challenge.  Odds are that your interviewer will have glanced at your resume but they won’t remember every little detail. Your work experiences (and the terms you use to describe your responsibilities), job skills, certifications are all on that resume!  Use your physical resume as a jumping off point!

      5.     Look INTO the camera!

• • Body language is something we pick up on. It matters since we’re social animals. Little cues like looking down at the ground, mumbling, and having your arms closed gives off the impression of being unconfident. Likewise, looking directly at someone, speaking clearly and having with your arms open gives the impression of confidence. Looking into the camera gives the same impression as giving eye contact.  Think of those TED talks where all the speakers have that same public speaking style. Fake it till you make it, right?

Zoom interviews aren’t that different from normal face-to-face interviews. You’ll need to dress well, be polite, smile etc… Fundementally, there’s nothing THAT different.  You’ll just need to be a bit more considerate about the technical situations that come into play. Stay tuned for Interview Strategies: Ace The Zoom Interview part 2!

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