Even if you are already using Zoom in class or in your private life, there are certain manners and points to be aware of during interviews.

In this article

• Advance preparation to avoid failing the Zoom interview
• Basic Zoom operations useful for interviews
• Etiquette when interviewing for a job
• Special points to note in Zoom interviews

Preparation is important for Zoom interviews

It goes without saying that the content of the interview is important, but in the case of a web interview, unexpected problems with the device or network environment may hinder the progress, so careful preparation is required.

Let’s check what you need to do once the Zoom interview is decided so that you can have a smooth interview on the day.

use a computer as much as possible

Even if you usually use your smartphone, if you have a computer, try to use it as much as possible during the interview.

Due to the small screen size of smartphones, it may be difficult to see the faces of multiple interviewers, or the characters in shared materials may not be visible.

You can use Zoom on an iPad or Android tablet, so if you don’t have a computer but have a tablet, we recommend using a tablet to participate.

Remember to charge your device

It is absolutely necessary to avoid the computer shutting down due to power failure during the interview.

Make sure your device is fully charged before the interview begins.

If you have an outlet nearby, it’s a good idea to leave the power adapter plugged in.

Install the app in advance

If you try to join a meeting on a computer that does not have the Zoom app installed, you will be prompted to install the app.

You can participate in Zoom from a web browser, but the app has more functions, so we recommend using the app.

However, if you have the app installed at the time of participation, there is a risk that you will not be able to make it in time for the interview start time.

If you want to use the Zoom app, install it on your computer in advance.

Ensure a stable network connection

Since Zoom makes video calls, if the network connection is not stable, the video may be interrupted or the audio may not be heard.

At the time of the interview, connect to a stable network such as a wired LAN or home Wi-Fi.

When using a mobile network, be careful of speed limits due to exceeding the upper limit.

See how to join

How to join Zoom

• Click the invite link
• Enter meeting ID and passcode

There are other methods such as

If you receive a Zoom interview invitation from the company, read it carefully and check the participation procedure so that you do not panic on the day of troubles such as “I can’t find the invitation email” or “I don’t know the passcode”.

Zoom operations to remember in advance

In order to make the progress of the day smooth, let’s remember the operation of Zoom.

We will introduce the basic operations of Zoom that can be used in an interview.

mute the microphone

During a Zoom meeting, you can mute your microphone by clicking the microphone icon.

Mute your mic while the interviewer is giving an explanation or while others are speaking in a group interview, as it will not pick up your own mic.

Don’t forget to unlock when it’s your turn to speak.

camera

If the camera icon has a line through it, your video is off.

As a general rule, face-to-face interviews are good manners, so click the icon to start the video.

screen sharing

You can share your screen with the other party by clicking the “Screen Share” icon.

In an interview, this function is often used when companies show materials, etc., but it can also be used when you want to appeal your achievements and deliverables.

View someone’s video

You can change the layout of your video by clicking View in the upper right corner of the Zoom desktop app.

Set it so that it is easy to see according to the situation, such as when there are multiple interviewers or when discussing in a group.

• Speaker: A large image of the speaker is displayed.
• Gallery: All participants are equally sized.
• Immersive: All participants appear in a virtual space as if they were all in the same place.

Basic interview etiquette

Zoom interviews seem to be something special, but the etiquette and attitude are the same as face-to-face interviews.

Strictly observe basic manners so that you can make a good impression and leave good results.

• Punctuality
• Cleanliness and grooming
• attitude during interview

However, it is also true that there are many differences between the actual fit and the online one.

Based on the basic manners of interviews, let’s apply them to Zoom interviews.

Reception hours (entry time)

For face-to-face interviews, it was common etiquette to finish the reception 10 minutes before the interview start time.

In Zoom interviews, there is no movement, so it is easy to think that it will be fine even if it is at the last minute, but if you try to access the meeting just before and you cannot connect to the network or your computer is updated, you will not be able to make it in time for the start time.

For Zoom interviews, finish all the settings and be on standby 10 minutes before the start time.

Things to do before the interview are to check the network connection and the operation of the microphone and camera.

Even if it is an online interview, entering the room after the interviewer does not give a good impression, so it is better to wait in front of the computer after checking the operation and access Zoom about 5 minutes before the start.

Clothing/Hairstyle

The grooming manners for Zoom interviews are the same as face-to-face.

If you’re going to wear a suit to the interview, don’t be afraid to wear a suit even if it’s online.

Even if you have an online interview from home, take it as you can go to the interview.

Since the camera will only show your upper body anyway, if you wear the wrong bottoms, you may be able to see it when you move a little, so be careful.

eyes during interview

In face-to-face interviews, there were manners such as “look into the eyes when speaking” and “look around the interviewer’s necktie.”

To give the impression that you are looking at the other person during a Zoom interview, it is better to look at the camera when speaking.

However, depending on the angle at which the camera is installed, it may look like you are looking down at the other person.

Find the best installation angle by looking at the image of the camera yourself in advance.

Manners and precautions specific to online interviews

Compared to face-to-face interviews held in office conference rooms, unforeseen accidents tend to occur in Zoom interviews where participants participate from home using their own devices.

Also, since you are participating from home, you may lose your sense of tension and your private parts may be seen by the other party.

Here are some points to pay particular attention to when interviewing on Zoom.

turn off notifications

If you receive a new email notification during a Zoom interview, the other party will also hear the notification sound.

Even if you mute the sound, if notifications appear frequently on the screen, you may not be able to concentrate on the interview because of the notifications.

Even if you normally use notifications, be sure to turn them off during the interview.

Minimize the number of apps you launch

Running multiple apps at the same time slows down Zoom and slows down your network connection.

Close any apps you don’t use before the interview starts.

Of course, doing other work on your computer during the interview is out of the question.

If you want to take notes, you can use a memo app, but the sound of hitting the keyboard can be annoying, so pen and paper is safer.

Be aware of your surroundings

Choose a quiet location, such as your home, when participating in a Zoom interview.

If your surroundings are noisy, it will be difficult for you to hear each other.

Also, during job interviews, you may be asked to show materials from the other company.

Participating from a place where the screen can be seen by third parties is not preferable for security reasons, so it is better to avoid open places such as cafes.

Display names and backgrounds should be conscious of business etiquette

If you use Zoom privately, you may have used your display name as your nickname or handle.

Since the real name is the basic in the interview, let’s set the real name when entering the interview room.

A profile picture is not required, but if you set something, it is safe to keep it as your face picture.

Also, the virtual background used last time is saved, so if you enter the room as it is, it will be applied to the background.

Before you enter the room, change it to a business-appropriate background.

Do not use campe as much as possible

You may not be able to cheat in a face-to-face interview, but you may find that online is an advantage because you can cheat.

However, it is not recommended to use a campaign even in a Zoom interview.

At the interview, you are asked to “tell in your own words”.

When you read what you have written on paper, it can be conveyed to the other person even through the camera.

Doing your best at the time is more important than cheating.

Taking online interviews without a competition also gives you experience for face-to-face interviews.

If you are unsure about what to do, just write the key points and keywords on sticky notes and stick them around your computer instead of writing the script.

Article Summary

I explained manners and points to note when taking a Zoom interview.

• Use a computer as much as possible and complete necessary preparations such as installing apps and charging.
• Learn basic operations such as mute and screen sharing
• Punctuality, even online, and careful grooming
• Remove obstacles that impede the progress of the interview
• Your display name is your real name. Make sure your profile picture and background are business-appropriate
• Experience with the same attitude both face-to-face and online

The spread of online interviews and the availability of recruitment activities that are not restricted by geographical or time conditions have created many opportunities for both companies and job seekers.
There is no doubt that mastering the etiquette of Zoom interviews will be an important point in advancing job hunting in the future.