To ask how to prepare for a zoom interview?

[OkPoppet]

Namechanged! I have my first zoom interview next week since going on maternity leave. It seems like a while since my last interview and I’m feeling a little nervous about it being on zoom. The role is for a specialist clinical position, very competitive, and has been my dream role for a long time so I want to prepare myself for what is to come. There will be 4 people interviewing me

Any advice on what I can do to prepare? I haven’t actually used zoom before (been using teams up until now) so I think I’ll start practicing using that. Any advice on outfits, makeup and any hints and tips would be very appreciated. I would ask someone in real life but I’m alone right now haha!

Thanks everyone!

I had a zoom (well, Teams but the principle is the same) interview last week. I prepared the content in much the same way I would a regular interview. You only need to look smart from the neck down really but it helped me to be smart down to my socks!
Make sure you speak clearly, make allowances for IT problems and tell them if you can't hear. Its easier to make notes etc on a zoom call but if you're doing that I'd mention it.
Good luck!

Think what's behind you on screen, something not outrageous.
Try to look at the camera rather than the screen.
You can have notes beside you (or pinned up just above the camera).

Make sure you can do it somewhere quite with no interruptions. I took the dog out when my DD had Zoom interviews so she wouldn't be put off by her barking.

Set up zoom first , get a freiend to set it up too ( or ask someone that already has it ) practice setting up meetings , calder invites is the easiest way .
Ask pal to call you at the same time of day as your interview as natural light V light bulbs make a big diffeanc to the right look, either way sit facing the light but make sure that if the sun ( rememer that big bright thing in the sky 😁 ) comes out that it doesnt blind you .

Get the camara very slightly above eye level by putting books / boxes under the screen / laptop .

Put your notes on something high enough so that you dont have to look a long way down to read them ie just move your eyes not your head .

Keep the back ground un fussy , a plain wall, book case , or set up a backdrop screen on zoom.

Boot all pets / DCs /DPs out of the house !

Keep dress formal , plain blouse , small amout of makeup . hair off face. be warey of haveing PJs / joggers/ scruffs on your lower half , my boss takes great delight in making people stand up so we can see what everyone is wearing ( its all done in fun and lots go out of their way to put on very odd stuff now )

Good luck

Eek , please excuse all the typos !

I found my virtual interviews easier because I could have my notes in front of me so I could make sure I made all the points I wanted to make. Face to face nerves get the better of me and forget points I wanted to make.

As well as all the points made above Id also suggest that make sure nobody else is on the WiFi at the same time, you don’t want to be worrying about buffering and technical problems.

If you've not used zoom before then practice zoom with someone a day or two before the interview

Make sure all the IT is working okay

Ensure the interviewers will be able to see and hear you clearly, and you them

Have a clear neutral background without distracting clutter

Ensure you won't be interrupted by a phone or family members

Have your computer ready in good time before the interview

Have a final wee!

All the usual interview techniques

You could also have some cue cards placed to the side or above the screen. A benefit you don't get in a normal interview!

Agree with others look at the camera not the screen
A little post it with a smiley face to remind you to keep smiling if you are likely to get nervous
Practise with a friend to make sure your happy with camera angles and set up
Good luck!

Do it with a friend first and check out different positions for lighting. If I Zoom at the kitchen table, the ceiling light makes it look like I have a halo. If I Zoom in the bedroom, I look ill. Find the spot that works for you. You may also need to build your computer up on some book. If I have mine on the coffee table, it highlights my double chin. Again, something to avoid.

Check the wifi works for zoom in the room that you are using. My quietest room is the conservatory but the wifi signal is rubbish so I resort to using my phone as a hotspot.

Don't worry too much about how you look in the light etc (as long as you are not a silhouette) - you don't have to be instagram perfect but show you have made the same effort as you would for a regular interview.

The advantages are great - you can have notes, no worry about traffic / finding the right place etc. Just make sure you log on in plenty of time to get the equipment set up. Possibly check your computer for updates the day before or have a back up (phone / tablet) to use if everything else fails.

If things (tech) goes wrong and you have a plan B, that could even work in your favour as that is something most employers would be looking for.

Good luck

Definitely do some practice interviews with friends, preferably who can ask you relevant questions (ie understand your work)

It’s a much better use of your time vs practicing alone

Good luck OP! I have recently been through a few rounds of VC interviews (on Teams but exactly the same in principle as Zoom) - and I got the job! All excellent suggestions here from people so other than taking care of all the practical things like people have said (practice the IT setup, think about your background, make sure no one going to disturb you etc.), I prepared in exactly the same way I would have for a face to face interview as at the end of the day, other than the unusual format they were asking me the same questions they otherwise would have.

In one way it's easier as you don't have to factor in planning your travel / making sure you arrive in plenty of time. Log into the call a little early so you can be ready and waiting for when they 'open' the Zoom meeting. I did find those 5 mins or so sitting staring at a blank screen very nerve wracking but just tried to focus on calm thoughts and breathing. And it's over before you know it. Good luck! Do all your preparation and you will smash it!!

It is probably easier on zoom that irl, you ensure that you have a good backdrop, facing towards light, that you can sit comfortably to avoid fidgeting. A bonus is that you can have another screen with any info you need for your prep as well, if positioned well so that it is near the eyeline for the camera then that is easier.

I wouldn’t have light shining directly on you, it give unflattering shadows, if you can have a desk lamp pointing to a wall behind the screen. The light bounces off the wall, is softer and more flattering.

Have a glass of water within reach.

What everyone else has said about having a clean, clear background.

I had a zoom interview in August & DH took DH out so that I was in my own, and The house was quiet.

Zoom makes it easier to have notes than f2f. I had post it's around my computer screen with the points I wanted to get across.

More personal, but I find I look washed out over zoom, so wear a bit more makeup to appear presentable.

Totally agree with @AlCalavicci. I've been interviewing potential candidates this week via Skype, so I've seen it from the other side. Most candidates were absolutely fine - dressed normally without being overly formal. Consider light makeup if that's your thing, as it can make a difference when the picture quality/lighting isn't great. But obviously that's up to you.

Slight technical issues are normal, on both sides, so everyone needs to be patient. But do make sure you do a practice run, preferibly just before your interview, to check everything's working.

I only had issues with one person, whose phone rang twice and who clearly hadn't reminded his family he was on a call and couldn't be disturbed...

Oh, and I was wearing unicorn leggings. Your interviewers may well be too.

I had a zoom interview last week. I made two little pictures of eyes, and selotaped them to either side of the camera so that I could correctly "make eye contact" - if you look at the position where the interviewer's eyes appear on-screen they will see you as looking down/away.

You can selotape notes of things that you need to remember to the top of the screen too which is helpful.

@LaMadrilena
Me too , it is surprizing what you notice when doing the interviewing isnt it ? Most of mine were fine to but I have a few that kept on looking down ( at notes I presume ) and forgeting to loook beack up before speaking .

I also had one that had a pile of unfolded clean ( I hope ) washing just within the camara shot . Honstly I did not need to see the bra !

I do a lot of remote court hearings - I like to have one bud headphone in and the other out. That lets me hear myself accurately. The headphone allows me to hear differing sound quality form participants more easily and saves any worry about anyone overhearing.
Good luck op. Loads of good advice here. Hope it goes well.

I had an interview on teams for the first time a few weeks ago (and was successful). I usually use Zoom and think it is really user friendly but definitely echo what others have said about doing a call in advance to feel comfortable. You can turn off your view of your camera if it's distracting to see yourself.

It was late afternoon so unfortunately daylight was gone. I played around with lamps at the time of the interview the day before to try and get reasonable lighting. Usually I sit facing a window and this is better if possible. I also sat my laptop on a stack of books so it would look more like I was making eye contact instead of looking down.

I also had 4 interviewers and was nervous about this, but it was actually fine. In a way it was easier than in person. I tried to focus on whoever was asking a question at the time and not worry about other members of the panel taking notes etc. Advice I was given is not to be afraid of checking in if you feel you may be talking too long because it's really hard without body language.

I had notes in front of me. I didn't use them because I was conscious of not looking down too much but it made me feel more secure. I like others idea of pinning them up! I also had zoom installed on an iPad/phone as a backup option. Luckily it wasn't needed but I think it helps you feel more confident.

Good luck!

Zoom interviews are easier than face to face, you can pin your notes all around the screen. Just make sure you have a good background. I have a bookshelf in my study, it works really well (if not v original).

If I'm on an important Zoom whilst working from home, I pin a note to the front door asking not to be disturbed, something as innocuous as a delivery driver knocking could throw you.

Thank you all! This has been very useful and I’ll be sure to use these ideas. The interview is late afternoon, so will begin to get dark half way through. I have plenty of time to rehearse and find the best spot in the house for WiFi and background.

@LaMadrilena that made me laugh! I’ll think of unicorn leggings if I get nervous now. What is considered overly dressed? If I went to a f2f interview for this role it would be a 2 piece suit.

If you have a chiming clock in the room then silence/stop it.
DD's been doing some tutoring and other stuff by zoom and if we have to wait for 11am to chime it seems a long wait!

I have an interview on Wednesday. I use zoom for my current job so am comfortable. I will put a note on the front door. And turn phone to mute. Thanks!