In today’s world, it has become the norm for companies to conduct virtual interviews. In fact, Zoom has become the go-to platform for interviews because it offers features that make virtual interviews both convenient and efficient. If you have a video interview coming up, here’s how to prepare for your Zoom interview.
What to Wear for a Zoom Interview
Dressing appropriately is still of primary importance when it comes to making a good first impression. Just because your interview is virtual doesn’t mean you should dress down for the occasion. Moreover, while you may be tempted to dress up only from the waist up, I highly recommend that you dress professionally from head to toe, even if you will only be visible from the waist up. This will help you feel confident and put together. In addition, if there’s a need to stand up for any reason, you won’t find yourself in a very awkward situation.
Aside from being dressed professionally, it’s also important to consider the colors that you wear. I recommend that you avoid wearing bright, bold colors as they can be distracting on camera. This is also true for clothing items with busy patterns or logos on them. Instead, you should opt to wear solid neutral colors like black, white, or gray. These colors are easy on the eyes and won’t detract from what you’re saying. If the aforementioned colors aren’t your thing and you prefer some color, I suggest that you stick with blues, browns, and muted colors.
Zoom Interview Setting
Believe it or not, your Zoom interview background is just as important as what you choose to wear. First and foremost, always choose a quiet and well-lit area and make sure the background is clean and uncluttered. The last thing you want to do is take the focus off of you. A plain wall, a well-organized bookcase, or a simply decorated wall are all good background options. If you need to make an untidy room work, consider hanging a white sheet as a backdrop to hide any clutter or mess. You may be tempted to use a virtual background instead. However, for a Zoom interview, pass on the virtual background as they can distract. Lastly, make sure that the lighting is bright enough to see your face clearly, but not so bright that it washes you out.
While this isn’t directly connected to the interview setting, you should always make it a practice to test your internet connection. This is important to ensure that you have a stable connection and that your camera and microphone are working properly. It won’t be a good look if you’re in the middle of the interview and your connection drops out.
Additionally, sometimes Zoom runs updates. To avoid stress, try logging into your Zoom account at least thirty minutes before the interview. That way if Zoom won’t open or needs to run an update, you can troubleshoot or wait for the update to load. This will ensure that you make it to your interview on time.
Video Interview Practice
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true for virtual interviews. I recommend that you take the time to practice answering common video interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more comfortable and put your mind at ease about being on camera. For the most part, you can expect many of the same interview questions that you would get in a face-to-face situation.
If you don’t have friends or family members who can help you, you can always record yourself answering video interview questions and watch the playback to see how you come across on camera. This will help you identify areas for improvement and make adjustments before your actual interview.
In addition to practicing your answers, make sure to practice using Zoom itself. If you don’t have much experience with the platform, familiarize yourself with the features, such as screen sharing and virtual backgrounds. This will show your interviewer that you are comfortable with technology and can adapt to new situations, and that’s always a plus.
Additional Tips:
- Make eye contact with the camera. As a default, people tend to look directly at their screens. It may feel awkward at first to look at the camera above your screen, but it helps you connect with your interviewer by “looking them in the eye.”
- Enter the Zoom room at most 2 minutes before your interview. While you’ll want to make sure your Zoom is up and running prior to that, you don’t want to enter the interview room too early. Likely, you’ll be placed in a waiting room anyway, but if your interviewer doesn’t have it set to that option, you don’t want to accidentally interrupt another meeting. However, do not be late.
- Test the audio beforehand. When you log in early you’ll want to make sure your audio is connected properly. If you are wearing headphones, earbuds, or a headset, you’ll want to make sure they are working. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone pop into your own Zoom room to make sure they can hear you clearly before you enter the interview.
- Sometimes things go wrong with technology no matter how well you plan. If this happens, be sure to email your interviewer or HR contact to make sure they are aware of any delay. You can always have a backup plan. If your computer isn’t working, you can use your phone for a Zoom interview, although it’s not ideal.
Interview Help
For more Zoom interview tips, click here. Preparing for a Zoom interview doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. As with any interview situation, a little preparation can go a long way, and set you up for success.
Now you know how to prepare for a Zoom interview. If you’re interested in interview coaching services or resume writing services, contact us. CareerTuners provides everything you need to stand out in your job search.
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