10 Zoom Interview Tips for Job Seekers
Zoom is a video conferencing software that’s becoming more popular for business meetings and remote/video job interviews in particular.
It’s completely free for the job seeker, and the employer should handle most of the setup, but there are still some important things you need to know (and mistakes to avoid!)
So in this article, I’m going to walk you through 10 zoom interview tips to help you feel confident and impress the hiring manager.
Let’s get started…
What is a Zoom Interview?
Zoom (website here) is a video conferencing software that lets you connect remotely for video or voice-call meetings with one or more people. You can turn video on or off, similar to Skype, but if an employer is setting up a Zoom interview for a job, then they likely want to see you on video.
You should treat your Zoom interview like any other video job interview, but you should also get familiar with the platform and technology so that you’re comfortable. And you should download the app ahead of time so that you’re ready.
(Zoom has a smartphone app for Apple or Android, as well as a downloadable app for computers).
What Do You Wear to a Zoom Interview?
Your attire for your Zoom interview should be the same as an in-person interview. This will vary depending on your industry and position, but most likely means that you should wear business attire. Men should wear a suit and tie. Women should wear formal business attire, too.
Avoid clothing that is distracting or brightly-colored. Avoid large earrings, colors like pink or bright yellow, etc. It’s best to look professional, but without anything that will distract the interviewer. The focus should be on the conversation, and your outfit shouldn’t distract from that.
Now that you know what a zoom interview is, and what to wear, let’s look at some tips for how to get ready for the interview.
How to Prepare for a Zoom Interview: 10 Tips
1. Get familiar with the technology
Download the app ahead of time (it’s available for mobile phones as well as computers at the Zoom website). Make sure you have your meeting link and access code from the employer, too. They should set everything up and provide this info. If not, ask them for it.
Also test your own technology – your microphone, your webcam, etc. Make sure everything is working and looks good so you can avoid any last-minute issues that will cause stress and possibly delay your interview.
2. Set up a distraction-free area
We talked about setting up and testing your technology above, but it’s also important to find a room or area of your home that’s best for your Zoom interview.
Pick a spot that’s quiet and distraction-free.
Eliminate visual distractions like items on the floor, distracting items on the wall behind you, etc. A painting or picture on the wall is fine, but 10 colorful posters isn’t ideal.
You want the interviewer to be able to focus on your answers and what you’re saying, and distractions in the room will hurt their ability to do this.
3. Be on-time but not early
Many employers are new to using Zoom for their interviews, and they may use the same “meeting room” or link for multiple job seekers. So you may be entering a “room” that was being used to talk to another job seeker before you.
So I recommend entering your Zoom meeting or interview 2-3 minutes before the scheduled time, but no sooner. My colleague, Sarah Johnston, said it best on LinkedIn:
4. Prepare answers to the most common questions
Don’t get so sidetracked by setting up the technology that you forget to prepare for the interview itself – mainly, how you plan to answer the top interview questions employers ask.
Also, think about any potential concerns they may have about your background in particular… and how you’ll address those.
For example, they may want to know why you left your last job so soon, or why you’re looking for a different type of job than you’ve done in the past, etc.
Anticipate the questions they’re likely to ask, practice your answers, and you’ll feel more relaxed in the interview.
You can also record yourself delivering your answers in the environment that you’ve set up. Look at the video recording, see how you look and sound, and then make adjustments before going live on Zoom with the employer.
5. Write down questions to ask them
Employers want to hire people who ask good questions in the job interview. This shows them that you’re excited to work for them and that you’re curious about their job.
This is true in every industry, for every type of job. If you’re not asking good questions in each interview, it’s a possible reason why you can’t find a job.
Here are two resources to help you prepare questions to ask them:
6. Choose your interview outfit
As mentioned earlier, you should dress professionally – the same way that you would for an in-person interview.
I recommend picking out an outfit ahead of time, too. Make sure it’s wrinkle-free and looks clean and new. By doing this ahead of time, you’ll have one less thing to worry about or stress over on the day of your interview.
7. Speak slowly and clearly
Before your interview, practice talking slowly and clearly. Even if you have a great internet connection, the Zoom call might cut out for a fraction of a second here and there, and you’ll be much easier to understand if you’re talking slowly and not rushing through your responses.
This will also make you seem more relaxed and confident, which the hiring manager will love.
8. Work on your body language
Avoid tapping your hands or feet, clenching your jaw, or doing anything else that will distract from your answers or make you appear nervous or tense.
This article has a full list of body language tips for interviews.
And here’s a list of ways to show confidence in your job interview, so you can avoid looking tense or nervous.
What you say in the interview is half the battle, but how you look and how you say those words is often just as important. So don’t neglect this preparation step.
9. Double-check the date, time, and timezone
The last thing you want to do is miss your interview because of a timezone mix-up. So check the email from the employer and be sure that you’ve put the meeting on your calendar at the right time, on the right day.
This is a simple step but will avoid a lot of potential embarrassment and hassle.
You don’t want to miss your interview and have to reschedule – so check everything and never assume that everyone is in your timezone. You could be interviewing with people from other office locations if it’s a large company.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you need it
It’s okay to ask for clarification on something or ask the interviewer to repeat a question once or twice in your interview.
This is true in any job interview and especially a video interview.
If you didn’t hear a question clearly, ask them to repeat it. If you’re unsure what exactly they’re asking, ask them to clarify.
You don’t want to do this 10 times in an interview, but it’s fine to do it a couple of times, and it’s a lot better than answering before you’re sure what they’re asking.
If you follow the 10 tips above, you’ll feel more confident and relaxed in your Zoom interview and you’ll get more job offers!
At the end of the day, it’s just like any interview. You need to give great answers. You should ask great questions, too. Just make sure you’re comfortable with the technology before going into the conversation so that you can focus on those tasks.
Additional reading:
- 10-step job interview preparation checklist
- How to pass an interview: Powerful interview tips from a recruiter
- How to know if your interview went well
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