How do you nail a job interview on Zoom? We asked an expert

It’s a brave new professional world out there, and Zoom interviews are becoming part of the norm. But how do you present your ‘best self’ over a video chat? We chat to an HR expert on how to make a lasting impression. 

In 2019, the thought of having an interview via video call was virtually unheard of, unless you’d applied for a job in another city, state, or country. Fast-forward six months, and interviews from home – via the camera on your laptop – are the new norm for job hunters.

So how do you nail the interview when you’re not in the same room as your potential new boss? How do you make a good impression? How do you keep a cool head if your Wi-Fi drops out? Should you wear pants?!

We chatted to Emma Maslen, founder of Rescue my Resume, a premium resume-writing service in Melbourne. Emma’s been helping busy professionals win their dream job through resume re-writes, LinkedIn makeovers and interview coaching since 2018. She offers her top tips in how to get through a Zoom interview successfully. 

“You’re applying for a job, so approach your Zoom (or Teams or Skype) interview the same way you would if you were meeting someone in an office or café,” Emma says. It’s also important that you dress the part, prepare as much as you can, and be on time. 

Most interviews follow the same question structure, so Emma suggests preparing a few answers in advance. “Interviewers are always going to ask things like why you’d be a good fit for the role, or recalling a challenging situation and how you dealt with it, so make sure you’ve got those answers nailed, and that you’re super confident and relaxed.”

Emma also recommends using LinkedIn to do some research on who’ll be interviewing you; this will help you built rapport, make a connection, and stand out from other candidates. It’s also important to read up on the company, and make sure you know the position description back to front.

Once you’ve got some answers up your sleeve, practice them until they roll off the tongue. “You can actually record yourself on Zoom, so I always recommend setting up a meeting, just with yourself, and recording what you want to say,” Emma says. “Watch it back and if it doesn’t feel quite right, keep practising until it does. It might feel a bit weird but it will definitely help you feel more in control and less stressed on the day!”

To keep you on track, Emma recommends keeping a brief list of key points you want to mention, and questions to ask beside your computer. “Write it as a bulleted list; if you’re jotting down full sentences, it’ll make you sound stilted.”

Finally, plan: what you’re going to wear, whether you’ll be on your computer or tablet, and the best spot in your house to get set up. 

Now, more than ever, it’s essential that we know how to use new technologies. You don’t want to be late to an interview because you’re not familiar with the login process. Emma’s advice is to get familiar with Zoom well in advance.

“Set up an account and play around with it. Make sure you know how to navigate to the gallery view so you can see everyone. Ensure your sound’s working, so you can hear and be heard (headphones with a mic are best for this).” 

According to Emma, the best spot for a video interview is in a quiet, well-lit spot, with no distractions. “Natural light is best,” she says, “but if you can’t sit near a window, pop a lamp behind your computer and shine the light on your face so you’re lit (but not blinded!).”

It’s also important to have a plain background, like a white wall, so remove anything that might take the focus off you. “I’ve been caught out in a few meetings with washing behind me!” Emma laughs. 

Most of us are at home more often now, but dress standards for interviews haven’t really changed; you should don what you’d normally wear to an interview. “I would definitely do my hair and makeup and pop on corporate clothes if I was interviewing for a formal job. If you’re looking good and feeling confident, that’ll reduce your stress levels.”

And in this time of lockdown, where some of us may have embraced the pyjama pants life? “Definitely wear proper pants to your interview,” Emma advises. “You never know when you might need to stand up!”

It’s the age-old question: stare into the camera, so the person on the other side can ‘see’ you looking at them, or look at that person on your screen? “Personally, I find looking into the camera really difficult,” Emma admits, “I want to see the person I’m talking to. My personal preference is to look at the screen so I can gauge body language and see what’s going on more easily.” 

In our pre-COVID-19 life, it was generally recommended to arrive to interviews early – at least five minutes. These days, that’s not the case. “There’s no need to arrive to your Zoom interview early,” Emma says, “but make sure you’re on time.” 

Emma suggests treating your interview as if it were a meeting. “Really, you’re just having a conversation, right? Once you’re in, ask them questions and have some general chitchat, to reduce that power imbalance. Be as confident as you can. Once you’ve built that rapport, they’ll think ‘This person really knows what they’re talking about’, and they’ll be wanting you to go well.”

And remember: if you’re feeling prepared, you look good, and you know your way around Zoom, you’re already doing a great job. Good luck.

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Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances