You Can Still Impress People Through Zoom
So You’ve Landed a Virtual Job Interview? Now What?
With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting jobs and businesses all over the country, I want to provide tips on how to nail a job interview through Zoom. While you may not be able to impress your potential employer in person, there’s still plenty of things you can do to ensure you make a lasting impression virtually.
Set the scene, and minimize distractions.
Test your technology beforehand to ensure you’re set up for success. Check your connectivity, and confirm your microphone and camera are working. Do this in advance, as you may need to purchase replacement pieces. When determining where to take the interview, find a private room with good lighting, and minimal background distractions - you want to make sure you’re the focal point in the video.
Dress the part.
You may only be visible from the shoulders up, but dress as you would for an in-person interview. It will help boost your confidence and help you feel more authoritative. It’s also important for the hiring manager to know you're professional, and serious about the job.
Monitor your body language.
You can’t firmly shake a hiring manager’s hand or portray confidence as you enter the room, but you can control your body language through video. Sit up straight, smile and keep the fidgeting to a minimum.
Maintain eye contact.
Even though you’re speaking virtually, you can still portray eye contact. In order to look directly at the hiring manager when you speak and more importantly, when they speak, focus on the camera, not on the image of the hiring manager. It shows that you are listening and care about what they have to say. It also sends the message that you are sure of yourself and your abilities. This is also why it’s crucial to pick a private location for the interview, to ensure a friend or family member doesn’t walk by and distract you.
Slow down your speech.
Take your time and breathe when you speak. Don’t rush through your words. Hurried speech is a strong indication of nervousness and sends the message that what you have to say isn’t that important. Slow deliberate speech implies that you are thoughtful and what you say matters. If it helps, have some phrases written down that you can easily pull up during the interview - as long as you’re not reading directly off your screen.
