Digital Marketing Recruiters – Tips for Video/Zoom Interviews
Over the past few years, businesses around the world have gotten more familiar with video conferencing software like Zoom and more comfortable using them as platforms for internal meetings, meetings with clients, training, and interviews. In fact, many companies have moved their interview processes to virtual platforms like Zoom because they realize it makes the process more convenient for interviewers and interviewees. This is something you may have noticed yourself if you’ve been on the job search recently.
While it may be more convenient, this departure from nontraditional in-person interviews brings with it some new challenges. With how many interviews are taking place over video these days, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with these new factors so you can make a good impression on your interviewers. Here are our tips to help you crush your next Zoom interview.
Find a good, quiet location with a simple background before your call
You don’t want to make it hard for interviewers to hear your answers to their questions or for a busy background to distract from your answers when you and your qualifications should be the focus, so you need to put a lot of thought into where you’ll be making the call. Choose a spot that’s tidy and only has items that wouldn’t look out of place in an office visible in the background. If you want, you can even stage the background with some tasteful decorations to show you pay attention to detail and are well organized. You should do this well beforehand – that way, you aren’t scrambling to declutter an area and show up late or looking disheveled.
The mute button is your friend
Whether you’re using Zoom or some other video conferencing software, there will be a feature that allows you to mute your audio. This is especially useful when an interviewer is speaking for a long period of time, allowing you to clear your throat, cough, sneeze, take a drink of water, etc… without disrupting them. This will also allow you to focus more clearly on what they’re saying. The mute feature is also useful if you have pets or children who might be making loud noises in your home.
Maintain eye contact
While your interview is virtual, you should act as though you’re talking in person by looking your interviewer in the eye. To do so, remember to look into your camera because it creates the illusion that you’re looking directly at them and not your screen. This will show that you’re attentive, and it’s a sign of both confidence and respect. If you have multiple screens, make sure to put the interviewer on the screen that’s below the camera, so you’re always looking in their direction.
Match your outfit with company culture
Just like you’d plan your outfit for an in-person interview, you need to put some thought into what you’ll be wearing during your Zoom interview. Your outfit should be professional and polished, and you should consider aligning what you wear to the company’s dress code. Check out their website and social media profiles to find examples of what people are wearing in office and assemble your outfit accordingly. This will show that you’re already a perfect fit in their culture.
Have a plan B
Technical difficulties are something you need to plan for. We recommend talking to your recruiter or interviewer ahead of time and establishing a plan B if the internet is out or Zoom is having issues on either end. This will take the stress out of the situation if something goes wrong and shows some forethought.
Test your tech in advance
Even if you have a plan B established, you should still test out all your tech ahead of time, so if there is an issue, you have time to fix it. We recommend getting on a video call with a friend to ensure all things are working properly and you can both see and hear each other ok. This also gives you a great opportunity to practice looking into the camera lens to give the illusion of eye contact. If you want, record your screen and then watch the footage back to look for areas of improvement.
If you’re looking for a job in the digital marketing field, let us help you put these tips into action and connect you with an employer in need of your skills. Join Digital Marketing Recruiter’s network and submit your resume here to start being considered for new roles today!