11 Mistakes in Zoom Interviews (And How To Avoid Them)walkin
Zoom is a platform for both audio and video conferencing that is used by a lot of companies during the interview process. Even though a digital interview may feel different from a traditional face-to-face interview, it’s still important to prepare well for both. If you know about some of the most common mistakes people make in these interviews, you may be better prepared to do well in your own. 11 Mistakes in Zoom Interviews (And How To Avoid Them)
In this article, we talk about some of the most common mistakes that people make in Zoom interviews and give tips on how to avoid them.
11 things not to do in a Zoom interview
Here are some possible mistakes to avoid making in a Zoom interview:
1. Being in a cluttered room
If you have an interview in a messy room or in front of a lot of decorations or trinkets, the interviewer might get the wrong idea about you. Try to find a neutral place, like a clean room with a blank wall, for your interview. If you can’t do this, you might want to use a virtual background with zoom. Choose a good digital picture to use as your background, and make sure it works before your interview.
2. Not wearing the right clothes
If you don’t dress right for the interview, you might look unprofessional. Choose an interview outfit that is similar to what you would wear to an in-person interview, such as a business casual or business professional outfit. Even though the interview will probably only look at you from the shoulders up, you should still dress professionally from head to toe. This could help you act more professionally during the interview and get you ready for if you need to stand up during the meeting.
3. Sitting in a dark place
If there isn’t enough light, it might be hard for the interviewer to see you. If you can, try to have your interview where there is natural light so they can see your face. If you can’t get natural light, use lamps or ceiling lights to make sure you have enough light during the interview. Before your meeting, you might want to see how you look in the light.
4. Not making yourself clear
If you use Zoom, it might be hard for other people to hear you or understand what you are saying. Make sure you speak slowly, and don’t answer too quickly. Make sure your microphone works ahead of time by testing your technology. If you or the interviewer have trouble hearing each other, it might help to use headphones with a built-in microphone.
5. Looking like you’re busy
During a Zoom interview, it may be hard to pay attention because there are probably other things going on on your screen at the same time. Consider turning on a “do not disturb” setting on your devices to turn off notifications, and think about turning your cell phone upside down during your meeting. Don’t look at yourself on the screen during the meeting. Instead, pay attention to the interviewer. Try to keep natural eye contact with them to show you’re interested in what they’re saying.
6. Having technical problems
Most people who are interviewing know that technical problems can come up during a meeting. But you should try to avoid them by testing your technology ahead of time. Before the meeting, you should download Zoom and test your internet connection. Get used to going to meetings and talking at them. Before your interview, you might want to meet with a friend to make sure you’re comfortable with the platform, that your internet connection is strong enough, and that you know what you might look like on screen.
7. Getting there late
It’s just as important to be on time for a virtual interview as it is for a face-to-face one. Plan to get there a few minutes early to show that you’re ready and to give yourself plenty of time in case there are technical problems. Make sure to confirm the meeting time and login information at least one day before the meeting. You might also want to set an alarm for about 15 minutes before the interview starts to help you remember. Zoom usually puts you in a virtual waiting room once you log in. This tells the host that you are ready to meet.
8. Not talking to other people
If all you do in an interview is answer questions, you might not feel comfortable. You might feel tired, and the interviewer might not learn as much about you. Try to talk to the interviewer like you would with anyone else. Listen to them carefully, answer them in a thoughtful way, and ask them follow-up questions that are relevant.
9. Forgetting your materials
Even if the interview is over the phone, you still need to be ready. Think about what you might bring to an in-person interview and adapt that for a virtual interview. For instance, bring a paper copy of your resume and have a glass of water handy. If the interviewer gave you a project to talk about or asked you to bring your portfolio, make sure to keep them in an easy-to-find place on your device.
10. Being unprepared
When you show up for an interview without being ready, it usually gives the interviewer a bad impression. Make sure to get ready for this interview just like you would for a face-to-face meeting by learning about the company, the person interviewing you, and making a list of questions to ask them. You can also get ready for the meeting and feel more at ease by getting used to using Zoom and seeing how you look on camera.
11. Letting too much noise in
Even though there may be some noise during the interview, it’s important that it doesn’t get in the way. Try to find a quiet place for your interview, and tell the other people you live with about it. Make sure that your alerts and other devices are turned off during the meeting. You might also be able to hear better if you use headphones with a microphone built in.
