There has been a remote work revolution over the past few years. More and more people are working from home or other non-office locations. Along with this has come a surge in virtual job interviews. If you are searching for an office job, there is a reasonable chance that at least one interview in the process will be held via Zoom or another video call software. This brings some unique challenges. The following tips will help you to nail your interview.
Professional Office at Home
The first two tips are so important that they deserve their own headings. First and foremost, make sure you are taking your interview from a professional-looking space in your home. Ideally, you should have a home office that is ready for interviews. However, not everyone has this luxury. Plus, even those that do may not have the best backgrounds. For these situations, a Zoom office background is a good idea.
With a virtual background, you can make sure you have a pleasant backing during the interview. No one will be distracted by the pet wandering around behind you, for example. Similarly, if your home looks lived in, you can avoid having a busy background.
Dress as You Would for In-Person
In a similar vein, you should be smart about how you dress. Even the greatest Zoom immersive view templates in the world won’t make you look professional if you show up in a ratty t-shirt and sweatpants.
At the very least, make sure that your upper half is well-dressed. It is generally a good idea to put on appropriate bottoms too. First, it will help to get you in the interview mindset. Second, it will avoid any awkwardness if you need to stand up for some reason.
Nail That Job Interview
If you show up looking professional with a good setup, you will be off to a great start. The following four additional tips will help too.
- Make Use of the Mute Button: Using the mute button when you aren’t speaking can help to cut out any distracting background noises. It can be really annoying if there is traffic audible in the background.
- Look at the Camera: When you are speaking, look at the camera, not the screen. This will help you to establish eye contact.
- Find a Quiet Space: You should try to find a quiet spot in your home for your interview. Don’t take the call from next to your running drying machine or playing children.
- Run a Tech Test: Before jumping on the Zoom call, make sure to test your technology. Ensure that your internet connection is running well and that your camera and microphone are working. Tech issues can really throw off an interview.
Get Ready for Your Zoom Interview
With these tips and the right setup, you will be ready for your next Zoom interview. Find some Zoom backgrounds on Mac or Windows to suit your professional background preferences. They will help you have better interviews.
