We have officially entered the age of the Zoom interview, with 86% of organisations using video conferencing platforms to interview candidates in 2020. Preparation has never been more key.
Gone are the days of worrying about which shoes to wear (now they won’t know if you’re in PJ bottoms from the waist down) or if your train is running late. Now you can worry about wifi problems and losing the Zoom link.
Don’t worry if this is stressing you out, we’ve got 6 things you need to do before that next Zoom interview to make sure you smash it. Now get those PJ bottoms on and strap in…
Zoom Interview Preparation Tips:
Have Your CV To Hand In Preparation
First off, it’s likely your CV or at least previous experience is going to be discussed in the interview. This means you’ll need to know exactly what you wrote in your initial application. Yes, we know it’s difficult when you’ve been firing off 5 CVs a day for the past month.
Either go old school with a printed version of your CV or open in a window on your laptop that’s easy to glance over if you need a little reassurance.
It’s also worth having a quick skim through the job description beforehand too. This will give you some key insight into what they might ask you.
Post-it Note Anything You Need To Remember
Who’s ready for a Zoom interview preparation life hack?! Maybe there’s something that you need to remember about the company or a particular quote that really shows you know your shit, but you’re scared that in the moment you’ll panic and forget everything but your name.
Now, this is the beauty of the online interview and the preparation you can do. Write down anything you need to remember on a sticky note and attach it around the outside of your screen so you don’t forget! We’re sure you won’t need them, but it’s always nice to know you’ve got everything right there just in case.
Obviously don’t go overboard or just read out what you’ve written in a robotic voice. (An interviewer can definitely tell when you’re going from a script). Use them instead as quick reminders to keep on track.
Check Zoom Is Working (Obviously, it’s a Zoom Interview)
If there’s one thing that lockdown’s taught us, it’s that online meetings can fuck up. A lot. To avoid the awkward “so sorry my Zoom wasn’t working”, make sure all updates are installed, you’re logged in and ready to go 5 minutes before your interview.
Also remember to change your username back to your actual name and your background to a simple blur. Just in case you’re still labelled as ‘billy big bollocks’ from that Zoom quiz with your mates back in 2020.
Grab A Glass Of Water
No matter if it’s to quench your sudden interview thirst or simply to fill an awkward moment’s silence when the interviewer’s looking for the next question, you can’t go wrong with a glass or water by your side during an online interview.
Put Your Phone On Do Not Disturb
If you’re popular (or if your gran likes to give you a ring at all hours of the day), remember to put your phone on do not disturb, so you won’t even glance at it during the interview.
Nothing says ‘I don’t care about getting this job’ like constant phone checking. So, if you’re a usual culprit, you could even shove your phone in the next room or switch it off during your online interview. Keep distractions to a minimum.
Kick Anyone Else Off The Wifi If Needed
Arguably one of the most important bits of Zoom interview preparation you can do. If your wifi’s as unstable as your mood in exam season, maybe kick your family or partner off the wifi for the half hour or so you need for your online interview. Nothing screams awkward like having to ask the interviewer to repeat themselves 20 times. Or your screen freezing in a position where it looks like you’re picking your nose. If your brother refuses to get off the wifi and you have a strong phone signal, connect to your hotspot.
You should now be ready to absolutely smash your online interview, but if you’re after more interview tips, have a read of How To Make A Good Impression At Your Interview
You can also book a 1-1 interview session with a member of our team (we don’t bite) to keep those nerves at bay. Good luck!