10 Top Tips When Your First Interview is on Zoom
The way we interview has changed dramatically.
According to recent studies, around 79% of hiring managers use video technology to interview and evaluate candidates, marking a substantial increase from earlier years.
This shift offers convenience and flexibility, but it also means candidates need to prepare differently to make a great impression online.
If your first interview is on Zoom, we’ve prepared our top 10 essential tips to help you feel confident and to demonstrate to the interviewer that you really want their job!
1. Test Your Tech Early
Ensure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working well before the interview.
Technical hitches aren’t a game changer, but if an interviewer is pressed for time, you may be eating into your own airtime with them, if your software is slow to load or your system decides to do an update.
Doing a quick trial run with a friend can help avoid last-minute technical glitches and be signed in and ready to go with 15 minutes to spare to avoid a last-minute panic.
2. Choose a Quiet, Well-Lit Space
Pick a spot free from background noise and distractions.
If you are in a co-worker space, book a booth in advance. If you are at home, pick a time when you have your office to yourself and you are not expecting a parcel or the window cleaner!
Try to face the natural light, switch on a ring light or select the most well-lit room to make sure you’re clearly visible on camera.
3. Dress Professionally
Even though you’re at home, dress as you would for an in-person interview.
Research the company’s culture beforehand and dress accordingly. This will help set the right tone with the interviewer and boost your confidence.
4. Check Your Background
Keep your background neat and free of clutter. This moment is about the job, not your cat! Be respectful and show the interviewer that they have your absolute full attention while they are speaking and ensure it is just you and the interviewer in the Zoom call.
A plain wall or tidy room works best to avoid distractions.
If you prefer not to show your personal location, then a professional backdrop template is absolutely acceptable. You might even find the interview chooses the same.
5. Position Your Camera at Eye Level
Set your laptop or device so the camera is at eye height.
This is so important, as interviewers get just as much from your expressions and body language as your words.
If your camera is set to the side or not face on, it will be more difficult for them to read your intent and enthusiasm.
Recreating natural eye contact on screen shows you’re genuinely engaged.
6. Look at the Camera When Speaking
It might feel strange, but try to look directly at the camera instead of the screen when you’re talking.
Relax your facial muscles and smile from your eyes. Some people draw a smiley face next to the lens to remind themselves to keep a friendly expression too. If you look relaxed, it will also relax the interviewer and make for a more comfortable experience all round.
All of this effort creates a stronger connection with your interviewer and makes your interview more memorable too.
7. Have Notes Ready but Don’t Read Them
Prepare some bullet points or questions nearby to glance at if needed, but avoid reading from a script. You want to sound natural and engaged.
Notes about relevant achievements and some research about the company you are interviewing with will be extremely well received as it shows you really want the job.
8. Minimise Distractions
Turn off notifications, silence your phone, and close any unnecessary apps or browser tabs to stay focused.
Headphones can reduce or completely cancel background noise. You can even leave a note for the postman or visitors that you are unavailable to come to the door right now as you are in a meeting.
9. Speak Clearly and Pause Often
Speak slowly and clearly, pausing to allow for any audio delays. This ensures your answers come across clearly. Allow a couple of seconds after the interviewer has spoken to ensure that they are finished saying what they need to.
If there is more than one person on the call, this is even more important to ensure no one talks over each other.
10. Avoid Multitasking
Stay present.
Typing, checking emails or looking at your phone is noticeable and can make you appear disengaged.
Bonus Tip: 11. Follow Up After the Interview
This one is so important and so often overlooked.
Send a brief thank-you email to express appreciation for the opportunity and to reinforce your interest in the role.
Your interviewer will remember you more clearly if you thank them for their time and then send a follow up note to check in on any decision.
Ask Us for Support
With video interviews now the norm for many first-stage meetings, mastering Zoom etiquette is crucial.
Preparing your environment, tech, and mindset ahead of time will help you make a confident and professional impression, even from home.
Follow these tips to give yourself the best chance of success on your first Zoom interview, but if you want help preparing answers or crafting your follow-up email, just ask our experienced team.