How to ace a Zoom interview?

Do you have an upcoming interview? Do you find yourself asking how to ace a zoom interview?

Well, you’re not alone. But don’t worry, because acing an interview is no big deal- so long as you know what to do.
You see, interviews are quite intimidating for most people, and thus, it helps to be prepared beforehand. Though you can find numerous sample interview questions to practice, you don’t want to sound too rehearsed. Also, you want to be yourself but just the best version of yourself that you can be. The goal is to stand out from the other candidates and prove to the interview panel that you are the best person for the job- and there’s no one better than you. And of course, body language is of utmost importance at this point because the interviewers are not just going to listen to what you say, but also how you say it.

However, with zoom interviews, the attention shifts somewhat to other matters like your sound quality, internet connectivity, and even your background. Of course, such menial issues are generally not taken personally but they can still create a lot of distraction and disarray. So, if you want to know how to ace a zoom interview, you will need to look at it from the interviewer’s eye. Focus on what could go wrong (like your internet having weak signals) and try to keep a backup beforehand. In fact, you might even want to have a mock-up call with one of your friends to help yourself get acquainted with the platform, especially if you haven’t used it much before.

So, if you want to know how to ace a zoom interview, you should know that while things may seem drastically different, zoom and in-person interviews are not all that different. Nevertheless, we’ve listed the big things you need to look out for so that you can focus your attention solely on staying calm and confident during the interview!

Before the interview

The plus side of a zoom interview is that you don’t need to drive all the way to the company just to appear for your interview. This also means that you don’t need to deal with the traffic or the stress that comes with it. But then again, virtual interviews open a whole new set of problems you need to work around. Sure, most interviewers would probably understand if your interview is abruptly interrupted by a pet or kid but that doesn’t mean you completely disregard the interview protocol. After all, it’s the little things that matter most!

And lucky for you, we have pointed them out along with plausible solutions, just for you!

#1 Take care of your background

Ambience matters- a lot. So, you need to do your best to make your room look professional. Also, take some time to consider the lighting since you don’t want to portray yourself in a bad light. Make sure you are facing the light source and not the other way around. This is your first impression of the interviewers, so you need to make it count. For that, you can either stage a picturesque background or simply use a virtual background. The added bonus of a virtual background is that you won’t have to worry about any clutter or disruptions in the background. And even if all hell breaks loose (as it tends to in such circumstances), you can just concentrate on your interview and carry on as normal.

#2 Eliminate disturbances

As with an in-person interview, unplanned interventions are obviously a big no during your interview. Therefore, to avoid creating a scene, you will need to eliminate potential disturbances way before time. For instance, you should pick a quiet place for the interview so that you don’t have to feel embarrassed about turning on your mic. Additionally, you should put your smartphone in aeroplane mode, so you’re not interrupted by calls or text messages. Turning off your notifications also helps. And it’s best not to open unnecessary apps and programs on the device you’re using to connect to the meeting as they’ll probably just slow down your device.

#3 Prepare well for the interview

The most important part of the interview is still the actual interview. Hence, acing a zoom interview is a lot like acing a regular interview. You should research the company, the interviewers, the job description, and even sample questions beforehand. This ensures that you’re not put on the spot during the interview. Depending on the type of job you’re applying for, the interview questions may be behavioural, technical, or even situational. In fact, some companies might even include psychometric tests to assist with the hiring process. Make sure you know what your job responsibilities are and how you plan on executing them.

#4 Dress appropriately

This is pretty self-explanatory but dressing up is super important even if your interview is virtual. After all, it’s still a formal interview and you don’t want to appear too casual. You want to look neat, professional and dressed just enough to impress. And the same general guidelines as regular interviews also apply to virtual interviews as well. Don’t wear bold makeup and don’t go over the top. But at the same time, don’t put in minimal effort such that it seems like you barely tried. You need to show the interviewers your dedication and it won’t show if you look homeless. So, do your best to look good before the interview to make the best impression you can.

#5 Use good quality accessories

Zoom meetings mandate using certain gadgets like mics, headsets, webcams, and of course, the zoom application as well. So, before you ask how to ace a zoom interview, you need to know how to ace using all of these gadgets because they can really make or break the deal. Keep them fully charged as well. If you take the time to prepare and double-check everything before the interview, it will ensure a smooth meeting- and that really shows how committed you are to the job already! Thus, it’s fair to say you can make a good impression just by being well-informed. It truly helps you stand out from the crowd.

#6 Keep a backup

Now, if you’ve ever heard of Murphy’s law, you’ll know that if something can go wrong, it will. So, no matter how much you prepare or overprepare, things can still go wrong. Therefore, you should keep a backup of everything just to be safe. This includes gadgets like headsets, mics, your internet connection, and even the device you’re using to join the meeting. Remember, it’s okay if things don’t work out but you should have a solution ready well beforehand. After all, your interview is not the time to figure things out. Nevertheless, if such circumstances do arise, you must remain calm and work to effectively deal with the situation at hand.

During the interview

A virtual interview should not be taken lightly, and you should treat it just like you would an in-person interview. Focus on your body language. Make eye contact. And make sure you exude confidence. You want to give the impression that you know exactly what you’re talking about, and that there’s nobody better than you for the job. Use the mute button when you’re not talking and look directly into the camera instead of staring at your own videocam. Moreover, no matter how tempting it may seem, don’t keep checking your phone for notifications, it will only disrupt your focus.

Conclusion

How to ace a zoom interview is not as different from acing a regular interview. In fact, zoom interviews might even be better since they help you save a considerable amount of driving time, and you can utilize this extra time preparing for the interview. Not to mention, you will need to do quite a bit of preparation if you want the interview to proceed smoothly. It’s always best to test everything out beforehand. Acquaint yourself with the software before the call so you already know how things work. Plus, make sure all your devices are charged and available as needed. And, of course, keep a backup, especially for your internet connection, just in case something goes wrong.

Additionally, you want to stage a professional background if you’re not using a virtual background. Work to eliminate all possible distractions and disruptions. Try to sit in a quiet place so you’re not disturbed. Dress well to make a great impression. Plus, make sure you have a good idea of potential interview questions. Research the company and interview panel sufficiently before the meeting. Also, during the interview, you need to display strong body language- just because it’s a virtual interview doesn’t mean body language isn’t important. As already mentioned, if you know how to give an in-person interview, you shouldn’t really have any problems with a virtual one either. Nevertheless, you only need to pay attention to a few technical details, and you’re good to go!