Top Tips To Nail Your Skype Or Zoom Interview

Due to the pandemic caused by Covid-19, many firms are opting for initial Zoom or Skype video interviews as opposed to in-person interviews. For a lot of us, this is a new format that we’re not used to as far as interviews go.

Before recruiting attorneys locally in South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton), I recruited for positions that required the candidate to relocate about 80% of the time.

Before investing in a flight, hotel, and travel arrangements, my clients preferred to start with an initial Zoom or Skype video interview. This gave me a ton of experience learning what works best and what to in order to put your best foot forward.

Below are my top tips on how attorneys can nail their video Zoom or Skype job interviews.

Strong Connection

If you can, go for the ethernet cable versus Wi-Fi. This will give you the best shot at a stable connection versus the potential of lagging and freezing (and I ain’t talking about the weather).

When it comes to audio playback, opt for headphones rather than computer speakers. This will help eliminate the possibility of feedback.

Bonus points if using headphones like AirPods, for example, where you have a built-in mic. This allows the interviewer to hear you with the most clarity.

Get Rid Of Distractions

For starters, if able to, set your computer up so that the camera is facing a blank (ideally white) wall. If facing the kitchen, a bulletin board, or window, you open the possibility of distractions.

You will also want to remove all distractions from plain view such as your dog, cat, cell phone (turn on silent if not off), papers, personal items, etc. Visually you want the camera to be facing a nice, clean space.

Tell everyone in the household that you are in an interview and to pipe down. That means no knocking on the door. No TV volume. Just pure silence.

A few potential distractions to be mindful of:

1. Pets
2. Busy background
3. Cell phone (turn off or on silent)
4. Open doors and windows (block outside noise)
5. Clutter of papers, files, personal items, etc.
6. Anyone in the household (let them know you cannot be distracted)

Put Yourself In The Best Light Possible

You don’t have to go as far as a professional video shoot but, if you can avoid being in a dark place, you should. Do what you can so the lighting is even and flattering.

Dress For Succes

Don’t half-ass it with the business up top and party down low look. You know what I’m talking about. Dress for success, just as if you are going into an interview because you are!

Eye Camera Lens Contact

lot of us have a habit of looking at ourselves when on a video call (guilty as charged). We want to make sure we look good, which is totally understandable however, you should do your best to maintain good eye contact.

Doing so with a computer can be awkward because instead of looking at the interviewer, you need to look at the camera lens.

Body Language

93% of communication is non-verbal. That is huge! In the case of a video interview, this means you should do your best to maintain good posture. Slouching or leaning back can come across as disengaged or lazy.

By sitting up straight and leaning in, you will come across as assertive, engaged, and interested. Make sure you are at a comfortable distance from the camera. You don’t want to be too close, yet you don’t want to be across the room either.

We talked about it above but, maintain good eye contact with the camera lens.

Personality

Last but certainly not least, just as you would in an in-person interview, make an effort to smile, have good enthusiasm, and be your lovely self.