ema increasingly use Zoom or MS Teams for screening interviews and assessments as part of a recruitment process, however as the coronavirus takes hold and forces everyone to seek alternative ways of conducting their business – recruitment is no exception.  With current day technical solutions, recruitment activity can be facilitated through Zoom or Teams– so here are the….

Top Tips

Set up Zoom or the alternatives such as Teams etc.

It sounds obvious but be sure to set up and share your contact prior to the scheduled interview. Go through an online tutorial if new to using Zoom, Teams or any other package.

Look at the camera

It is very tempting to watch yourself or your interviewer during a Zoom session, but looking directly at the video camera is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer.

Dress for interview

When it comes to what you wear, treat your Zoom interview like an in-person interview and dress appropriately.

Prepare your environment

Pick a quiet place to interview so that you can be the focal point on the screen. Remove anything distracting behind you and keep it neutral.  Turn off your television and radio and close your window to prevent external noise. If you are expecting a delivery leave a do not disturb sign on the door.

Practice makes perfect

Doing a run through interview with a friend beforehand is helpful because your first few Zoom calls are likely to feel awkward, especially if you have to retrain yourself to watch the camera and not the screen.

Close other programs on your computer

Getting notifications during your interview is distracting and unprofessional. Before your interview, make sure all other windows on your computer are closed (especially if they make noise).

Use notes

Don’t be afraid to help yourself with post-it notes or a copy of your resume handy when you interview. A benefit of having a Zoom interview is that you can have a sheet in front of you so that you don’t have to memorise everything you want to mention.

Avoid interruptions

If you are interviewing in a house with multiple people or pets, be sure to let everyone in the house know ahead of time that you will be in an interview while securing any animals away from your interview space. Avoid using a script or looking at your notes all of the time.

Watch your body language.

Not all physical cues translate from in-person interviews to Zoom interviews, which make the ones that do even more important. Be sure to have good posture and relax your shoulders to avoid stiffness.  Check the Zoom or alternative to ensure everyone can hear.

Remember to follow up and ask for feedback