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 think appropriate dress is relative. The role I was interviewing for is fairly low-level, so the shirts (no jacket/tie) and smart jumpers I saw were fine. But also, I'm in Spain where things tend to be less formal. If you think you'd wear a suit in person, you can't go wrong with the top/jacket combo you'd usually wear. Slightly overdressed is infinitely preferable to looking like you can't be bothered. I'd probably put a bit of makeup on (again, personal choice) just to keep my hand in, as I've not done it for 8 months!

I had a zoom interview recently it’s not terrible but I would rather meet someone in person. Over zoom there’s no where else to look but close up to but the camera... also the person interviewing you won’t be able to get a feel for you over a screen.

Find hide self view. Way less distracting when you can't see yourself!

Jumping on to steal your advice, I have a Teams interview this week. Only my second "real" job interview ever as well.

I find my best zoom type meeting I have are sat at my vanity unit, which has a large mirror in front of it.

I blue tack key points onto my mirror.

I have a phone stand. I have been using my phone as I think the quality of the video is much better. I use headphones/air pods as I feel like they hear me better.

No idea if it is true, but on my earlier meetings via the laptop camera/mic, it just seemed so interrupted.

Those saying about your background, you probably won't see that much background... early days I was hoovering for meetings

Youll do fine, I prefer zoom meetings to real life now... granted I am talking about meetings and not interviews (no one likes interviews surely?!)

Appearance does matter, and so as I have said to those having exams, a good night's sleep beforehand.

Make sure your camera is looking at your face. I spent 30 minutes looking at someone’s huge boobs and nipples. She was asked twice to move the camera up so we could see her but she didn’t.
She was wearing a t-shirt with no bra and basically using her phone like she was wAlking around chatting to her friend. She did not get the job!

or set up a backdrop screen on zoom. I wouldn't recommend that for an interview. Zoom isn't very good at filling in the background when you move your head, and gives the impression you are sitting in a howling gale with you hair blowing out sideways. OK, the interviewers will understand, but it still detracts from the cool calm impression you are truing to give.

Join the meeting a little army so you can check your appearance and background, then turn your camera and sound off until an interviewer has joined the call. You can then be confident in revealing yourself, and make a little small talk to break the ice.

I interviewed recently and agree with all the advice on this thread. We interviewed someone who had a very garish wall behind them, picture hanging askew and a towel drying on the radiator, and the camera was too high - all very distracting. Another person was in very close and had cleavage on display, also not good.

Good luck.

a little early

I had one the other month and got the job! I hid myself on my view as I found it super disconcerting seeing myself! I actually think it has some advantages as you can have a few note on the screen. But not stoo many as it can be obvious.

I would also say, if possible have a back up plan for if there are technical issues.

If you have a second devise or phone have these ready to use to rejoin. Also handy for if you and the interviewer need to be in contact. A text to say 'IT has let me down , back in 5 minutes, sorry' saves people left wondering.
Also make sure everything is fully charged or you have access to a mains.

And sit back....so many people sit far too close to the screen. 🍀🍀🍀

See if there are any notifications that might ping all the way through on your emails or something. Else open on your computer
Try and sign out or disable

Try and remember that whilst planning against them technical issues will happen - try it to let it get to you. Have a pen and a piece of paper handy - you might want to make notes about questions to remind you what they are looking for. We did 4 interviews last week - one candidate did not make notes and that candidate came across as less organised. Glass of water. Was surprised that none of the men wore ties - times have changed, it won’t go against them. Make sure you’ve prepped with recent and relevant examples

If you wear glasses it's even more important to play around with the lighting. I struggle to not have reflection or glare on my lenses no matter what lighting I use.

Make sure you know how to use the chatbox as you can put a quick note in there if you have a sudden it issue.