How To Ace An Online Job Interview? Helpful Zoom Interview Tips!

Many prospective employers choose to conduct a Zoom interview rather than an in-person interview irrespective of the Covid-19 induced special situations. The goal of the interview is still the same, which is to make sure that the job is a good fit for both the employer and employee. That being said, the online nature of the interview requires some special attention. Here, we’ll share Zoom interview tips that will help you dazzle your interviewer the next time you have one.

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What is a Zoom Interview?

A Zoom interview is when you have an interview over Zoom. Zoom is a digital video-conferencing application that became increasingly popular when many businesses shut down during the pandemic. But, even before the pandemic, there were times when businesses would hold their interviews over Zoom.

Zoom provides users with video chat, text chat, screen sharing, and video recording capabilities.

Since there is a rise in remote working, there’s also a rise in Zoom interviews because people can be in different geographic locations, making it harder to meet in person.

What to Do Before the Zoom Call

Out of all our upcoming Zoom interview tips, there’s one big takeaway: you can approach a Zoom interview a lot like you would an in-person interview. There are just a few extra things you’ll need to consider, which we will touch on soon.

But first, you’ll want to be sure to cover these bases before the call:

Research the Company

Conduct research on the company before you hop on the call. Get to know where they have locations, what they do, what sets them apart from the competition, how big the team is, etc.

You can find out this information from different sources online, including LinkedIn, the company’s website, news articles, the company’s social media platforms, and the like.

Have Questions Ready

What a lot of interviewees fail to realize is that the interview goes two ways. It’s not just about an interviewer getting to see if you’re suitable for the job. It’s equally important that you get to ask your questions to the interviewer about their position, the company, the company culture, the job responsibilities, and whatever else you may want to know.

So, once you perform research, write down any questions you may have that you can have ready to go for when the interviewer undoubtedly asks you, “Do you have any questions for me?”

Dress Accordingly

Another big question is what to wear for a Zoom interview. Your outfit should be a culture fit to what the company represents. Even if the company is very laid back, you’ll still want to make a good first impression, so you’ll want to show up dressing well and being groomed.

Essentially, your outfit will depend on the position you’re applying for, but it would be best to avoid showing up in anything less than business casual.

Test Your Zoom

Test your Zoom and related technology to ensure that you have a solid internet connection before the big call. Download the app to whatever device you’ll be using for the interview. Upload a professional photo to your Zoom account and type in your full name, as both will show up on the call.

Check Time Zones

Be aware of where your interviewer is located so that when you plan to meet, you are aware of any time difference that you might have. On the note of time, show up a few minutes early by clicking on the meeting link. If you have to wait for your interviewer (host) to let you into the call, you can still show up early, and when they start the meeting, they will see you in the virtual “waiting room.”

Tips to Ace the Zoom Interview

Without further ado, let’s get to some more Zoom interview tips that will help you during your actual interview.

Use Mute

When you are in a Zoom meeting, you’ll have the option to mute yourself when you’re not talking. This is a useful tool because your interviewer may hear feedback from your end, even if you aren’t talking. The mute button is especially helpful for ensuring that they don’t hear any background noises, such as children, pets, traffic sounds, or anything else.

Position the Camera

Decide on where you want to take the call in advance. Your camera’s position will dictate how much the interviewer can see of you and the background. It’s best to find a decluttered and clean space to take the call.

Also, make sure that the camera is actually pointing at your shoulders and above so that the interviewer can see your face and reaction. You can also make eye contact this way.

Charge Up

Make sure that whatever device you are going to use for your Zoom interview is fully charged. If you know that you lose battery quickly, take the safe route and keep the device plugged in for the duration of the call. It would be pretty tragic for the battery to die in the middle of an interview, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Speak Clearly

When you have an in-person interview, it’s really important to speak clearly and enunciate. This is even more necessary when meeting over Zoom because the connection can sometimes cause words to sound fuzzy or be delayed.

Speak slowly and clearly, especially when you are speaking about your experience and accomplishments. As we mentioned, it’s a good idea to hop on Zoom before your call and test out the app and your internet connection. If you have a friend or family member who can meet you on a call, it would be good to ask them if they can hear you well.

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It’s Your Time to Shine

Zoom interviews are becoming more and more common. So, hopefully some or all of these Zoom interview tips will help you along in your job search. If you have an upcoming in-person interview, then check out these 12 tips. Or, if you’re preparing for a phone interview, rather than a Zoom interview, we have suggestions for you. 

Remember to approach every interview with confidence, preparation, and positivity! Even though your call is on Zoom, your interviewer will be able to pick up on your energy.