Who would have ever thought we would be doing an interview over Zoom? There are definitely pros and cons of doing an interview over Zoom. Some pros (from an interviewee point of view) is that you do not have to travel to an interview and you can, in a way, hide behind the screen. Some cons though are that it can be harder to impress the interviewer behind a screen. It is very important to stand out as an interviewee so I am going to give you 5 tips that you can use at your next Zoom interview.
1. Make eye contact
Making eye contact over Zoom looks a lot different than making eye contact in person. You do not want to look at yourself while interviewing. It is crucial that you look at the camera for most of the interview. This will make it appear that you are making eye contact with the interviewer. It might feel weird because you are looking at a camera and not a person. Because of this, you should practice it!
2. Use headphones with a microphone
I have found that it is so much easier for someone behind the screen to hear you when you have headphones in (such as AirPods). I have a quiet voice and this brings the level of my voice up a lot. You want to ensure that the interviewer can hear you clearly. Before using headphones, you want to test them out. You can do this through settings.
3. Test your software first
Whether your interview be over Zoom or Microsoft Teams, you want to make sure you test the link BEFORE you have your interview. I would recommend testing the link as soon as the interviewer sends it to you. You do not want to run into any problems right before your interview.
4. Show up early
First impressions are key! They always say to show up to a regular interview early, so why wouldn’t you do the same for a virtual interview? Even if you have to wait in the virtual waiting room, you want to ensure that you are there before the interviewer. This also is important just in case you have any technical difficulties.
5. Practice, practice, practice for your Zoom interview
This is probably one of the most important tips for a Zoom interview. You do not want to wing your first virtual interview. It is a completely different dynamic than a regular interview. Try asking a friend or a family member to ask you some questions. They can tell you how your voice level is, if you are making eye contact, and if you appear confident behind the screen.
These tips for a Zoom interview should help you crush your virtual interview. Some last tips are to come in business professional clothing and lots of confidence. If you have any questions, make sure you leave them in the comments.
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Staying styled, southern, and sweet –
Casey
