Zoom interviews have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Learn how to plan ahead of time to ensure job success.
For first-time job seekers and those changing careers, getting a Zoom interview is a huge accomplishment. It’s also an exciting opportunity to learn about a company and a position you’ve applied for from anywhere in the world.
With Zoom interviews becoming more common, the video software itself adds another layer of preparation to researching the company and confidently presenting yourself. Use this article to prepare your mind for a meeting with a potential employer and to set up the device you’ll be using so that you arrive on camera prepared to shine.
In-person vs. Zoom interviews
Whether you’re new to Zoom or an experienced user, conducting an interview remotely can be intimidating.
How exactly does a Zoom interview work? How will it differ from a face-to-face interview? How will you connect with your interviewer through a screen? Will you need to create a fancy workspace (or conceal your current one) to serve as a backdrop?
The first step is to get clear instructions from the organization on how to join a Zoom meeting and who you’ll be interviewing with. You’ll most likely be sent a link to a Zoom meeting or a numerical meeting ID with a time limit. You could be speaking with a recruiter, hiring specialist, the manager or supervisor to whom you’d report, or even the organization’s founder, just as you would in an in-person interview.
Employers may be making efforts to accommodate different work-from-anywhere scenarios, such as shared spaces with limited private areas, as many professionals now work remotely. Remove the pressure from yourself to create the ideal interview environment.
Checklist for your interview on Zoom
The next step is to set up the technological aspects of your Zoom interview. Remember that you don’t have to create a cutting-edge home office complete with professional lighting and sound equipment. You can take a few steps to boost your confidence in your interview preparation.
Use this checklist to streamline your preparation:
1. Double-check instructions from your contact at the organization, including the day, time, and timezone of the interview, the Zoom meeting link you’ll be using, and other details.
2. Charge your device and install the latest version of Zoom.
3. Set up a free Zoom account if you don’t already have one. Personalize the basic settings by adding a headshot and selecting your time zone.
4. Pull up the organization’s website and your resume, cover letter, preparation notes, and other application materials.
5. Sign in to the email account from which you applied for this position.
6. Start a new Zoom meeting and test your internet connection and app settings. Adjust the audio and video settings to your liking. Add a virtual background, or blur the background if you prefer not to display your physical space. Practice using the mute button, chat feature, screen share, and video recording features.
7. Leaving the Zoom meeting open, place your device where you feel most comfortable conducting the interview. If possible, experiment with the room’s lighting and angle your screen about 45 degrees from a light source to provide the clearest view of your upper torso and face. When the setup is to your liking, end the Zoom meeting.
8. Silence all notifications on your device.
9. Close all other windows, tabs, and programs besides your application materials.
10. A few minutes before the interview, settle into your space and click the organization’s Zoom link.
How to follow up after your Zoom interview
Follow up with your potential employer within two or three days to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and your enthusiasm for the position:
- Address an email to the most appropriate recipient: your interviewer, recruiter, hiring manager, or the supervisor for your role.
- Begin the email with a greeting and a short “thank you” message.
- Include the date of your interview and the position for which you applied.
- Confirm you’re still interested, and summarize how you can contribute to the organization.
- Add any essential details that you did not discuss during the interview.
- Close by stating that you’re eager to hear the next steps.
- If no timeline was given during the interview, wait at least five business days to receive a response, and if you don’t, follow up a second time.
