Do you have an interview coming up using Zoom or Skype? Here are some insider tips to help you ace the interview:
Set up early: Plan on being in the space for your interview about an hour early if possible. Do all the checks mentioned below, and get used to the space. Restart your device prior to the interview especially if you don’t regularly restart it.
Water: Have water handy in a nice glass (not a water bottle) or mug or cup.
Height of camera: The camera should be higher than you think at first. You don't want to be looking down at the camera. Put the computer or phone on books or reams of paper to make the camera at eye level or slightly higher.
Lighting: Try out different lighting. Sunlight is best but see if there are different lamps that can help. Place a lamp without the shade behind the camera so that the light is on your face. If it is centered on you and the camera, shadows will be minimized.
Dress: Wear solid colors on top. Avoid distracting prints and big jewelry. As tempting as it may be to wear shorts or pajamas on the bottom half, don’t do it. You know that as sure as you do this, something will happen where you have to get up. Feel free to wear something dark and stretchy that will help you feel comfortable, though.
Practice: Ask yourself a question and answer it while recording it. Then listen and watch. Check for visual and sound. When a client of mine from Tennessee interviewed for a position in New York City, I recommended that she minimize any words (y’all) or pronunciations that might make her sound too Southern. I am from the South and proud of it, and while we have to be ourselves, future employers are seeking clues on whether you will be a good fit. (By the way, she did get the job!)
Background: Check for distractions in the background. Solid, light colors are best for the wall behind you. Make sure other devices are off or silenced, and that any alarms or animals won’t be a problem. If you are in a public area or in an office, put a sign on the door, “Do not disturb. I am on a conference call.”
Look at camera: Put a little sticky note close to the camera with a smiley face. This is to remind you to look at the camera, not at the screen. Your instinct will be to look at the person’s eyes on the screen, but if you look at the camera, the interviewers will feel like you are looking at them.
Expression: Be aware of your expression. You don’t want to look sour or stressed, but you also don’t want to look like a grinning Cheshire cat. Check out your “listening face” when you are recording yourself.
Makeup for women: If you are makeup wearer, great; just don’t overdo it. If you normally don’t wear makeup, wear a little for the camera; a little mascara and a light color on the lips will go a long way.
Answering questions: Sometimes, we have a slight processing delay when listening to online conversations. A great way to give you time to process questions is to start the answer with part of the question. This will minimize "ughs." So, if the question is "What is the favorite part of your current job?" You say, "I enjoy so many parts of my job at Santa’s Toy Company. My favorite part, though, is seeing the elves’ faces when they realize we have manufactured exactly what the children asked Santa for.” In other words, before you say, “the elves’ faces,” you have the opportunity to put the sentence together in your brain.
Questions for the interviewer: Have a few questions written down on paper to the side of your device on your dominant side.
Take notes: Feel free to take a few notes when the other people are talking. Write on the paper that is to the side of your camera on your dominant side.
Finishing up: They will likely say, "Is there anything else?" or "Do you have any other questions?" or my all-time favorite, “Is there anything you were hoping I would ask/cover that I didn’t?” At that point, you say something like, “Let me double check.” Then flip your pages in your notebook and see if they have covered everything; while looking at your pages for between 2 to 6 seconds, don’t say anything. This shows that you are thorough and that you are confident enough that a tiny bit of silence doesn’t phase you one bit. It also buys you a few seconds to think. Don’t go over 10 seconds though. Try to keep it between 2 and 6 seconds of a pause.
Skype photo: If you using Skype, make sure your photo is appropriate for professional purposes.
Time: Double and triple check the time difference. Write it on your calendar in both time zones with the correct labels so that you can double check later as needed. Once I reversed the times for an interview accidentally, so the call came two hours earlier than I expected. Learn from my mistake!
Follow up: Email a thank you within a few hours, and send a handwritten one if possible depending on your industry.
Practice: In addition to practicing for yourself, sign up for a free practice interview via Zoom with someone who can give you objective feedback.