Killing it on Zoom

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Job interviews suck.

They are stressful affairs full of uncertainty and forced smiles.

And then you add technology into the mix, and it can be deadly. Zoom and similar systems have become ubiqiutous since the pandemic began, but that doesn’t make it any easier to manage a job interview when you’re only talking to people on a screen.

If you instantly felt your throat close up looking at the above image, then welcome. This guide is for you. (And me, because I hate Zoom interviews.) I want to give you some clear, actionable advice on how to excel in your next remote interview.

• Check your tech.
  This is crucial, which is why I listed it first. Be sure to do at least one technology test before the interview with whatever platform the employer will be using (Zoom, Skype, Google Meet etc.). Make sure your camera and microphone, whatever you are using, are all working as expected, and you know how to operate the basic functions of the platform. Use the most reliable, fastest internet access you can.

• Dress the part.
  We are used to being at home these days in our sweatpants. But it’s important to dress just as you would if you were doing an in-person interview. And don’t neglect your lower half, even if you expect it will not be shown on camera. Ignore that at your peril.

• Have backups.
  By backups I mean both technology and information. In terms of tech, have a backup system like your phone to fall back to if your regular Zoom or internet setup has issues. In terms of information, have the company website and all your materials (resume, cover letter etc.) easily available so you can refer to them if needed. Having all your ducks in a row will make you much more confident.

• Watch your eyeline.
  One common issue is putting the Zoom window in a corner of the screen, and then looking at that during the interview. Practice looking as directly as you can into the camera. That way you will be connecting better with the interviewer. Think of it as being willing to look in their eye - a standard for empathy and connection.

• Mind the background.
  My main computer setup has my elliptical machine in the background of the webcam shot. I have thought about getting a screen or something to even out the background and make it less distracting, but I haven’t done it. Be more proactive than me and make your background simple, uncluttered and non-distracting. Personally, I would recommend not turning on the fake green screen backgrounds available on many platforms as a solution to your cluttered environment. It blurs out your edges and is distracting in its own way.

• Don’t panic.
  If something goes wrong, either in the interview proper or with the technology, try to stay calm. Definitely don’t say something like, “I can never get this computer thing to work.” As an older candidate, you never want to confirm ageist tropes about not being familiar with technology. Just roll with it best you can (see “have backups” above).

• Practice.
  Ask a friend to do a practice interview with you over the platform you will be using in the interview. Take stock of how you come across on camera, and practice a relaxed but attentive posture, not too close to the camera, but not too far away either. The more familiar you are with all these systems, the more comfortable you will be when the big day comes.

I will be writing a lot about interviews in general in the future. But in the meantime, did you see my “20 Questions to Answer (Before the Interview)” document I linked to when you signed up? It’s a great resource for the kind of interviewing being done today, where you are asked to tell stories about your experience. If you haven’t seen it, you can download it here.

If you have any other questions, about Zoom interviews or anything else, just hit reply and I promise I will get back to you.

Onward and upward.