The start of a new year is a popular time for professionals to look for new jobs. In large part, that’s because it’s when many companies are working on their annual goals and budgets and ensuring they have the staff in place to succeed. Given the proliferation of remote work, video job interviews make it easier than ever to cast a wide net in your job search.
When it comes to Zoom job interviews, even the most seasoned professionals can struggle. After all, it’s typically been at least one to two years since you’ve had to sell yourself for a new position, and the dynamic is a little different on Zoom.
If you’re feeling nervous about an upcoming interview, allow us to help you put those nerves at rest. These are the most important mistakes to avoid in video job interviews. As long as you dodge these pitfalls, you’ll let your resume and achievements speak for themselves.
Common mistakes to avoid in video job interviews
1. Neglecting your appearance
Sure, remote work has become more popular, and you might be able to work in your pajamas most days. That doesn’t mean you should show up to a Zoom job interview looking like you just rolled out of bed(even if that is how you’ll look when you’re doing the actual job).
The old saying, “dress for the job you want,” is a little outdated and sexist in its applications, but it’s worth thinking about when it comes to interviewing for a new job. Why? Because it’s the simplest way to show you care about this job.
By dressing appropriately and cleaning yourself up, you convey that you’re interested in making a good first impression. Not to mention, when you’re put together well, the interviewers can focus on your answers rather than wondering if you showered or if you’re wearing pants on the Zoom call.
Your potential employer might have a smart-casual dress code, but you should still treat professional attire as the proper etiquette for an interview.
2. Bad timing
Many of us have more flexible schedules in the remote working world. That means you should be better at managing your time, not worse.
Time management is likely an important trait that interviews are looking for in any job candidate. As such, showing up very early for an in-person interview is just as bad as showing up very late. When you show up a half hour early to an in-person interview, you’re putting undue pressure on your interviewers to drop everything to accommodate your early arrival.
Showing up early to a video job interview is acceptable, especially since your host may not initiate the call until it’s due to start anyway.
In fact, you should show up early to test the technology you’re using. You might not use Zoom, Google Meet, or any other video call technology in your regular work life. Or even if you do use them, it’s good to make sure they’re working as expected. You don’t want to arrive at the scheduled interview time just to find you need to do a 5-minute software update. Who hasn’t had that issue during regular business or family calls?
Obviously, showing up even a few minutes late without notice is a bad look. If you’re delayed for any reason, make sure to call ahead.
3. Failing to do any research
These days, most companies have a website. Practically all of them have at least a LinkedIn page. It’s easier than ever to figure out what a company does, which is the easiest way to both answer questions you have about the company and the position and inspire new questions.
Failing to do research catalyzes another common mistake: failing to ask any questions. Interviewers want to know that you’ve taken enough of an interest in the position and company to do some research. When you’ve really taken time to learn what the company does, you should have a better idea of how you might potentially fit. As such, your answers will be more focused and better informed.
Research may also lead you to ask questions about who the company works with, what software they use, what the day-to-day looks like, and more. At the very least, you can ask about the company culture and how your position fits into the overall hierarchy.
4. Berating previous employers
Many companies today pride themselves on culture and on creating a positive environment for employees. Individuals play a big role in upholding that culture, so a positive attitude and genial nature go a long way, especially if you’re maybe a little underqualified for a role.
It’s very hard to get a stranger to empathize with workplace mistreatment — especially someone who is responsible for hiring you into a new workplace. What, they might think, will you say about them if you leave their company?
5. Poor follow-up
There’s no better way to ruin a great video job interview by failing to say thank you or following up. No matter how well you think the interview went, always send an email thanking the person(s) who interviewed you for their time. Don’t wait until the next day, do it within a few hours. It’s an expected professional courtesy, but it also keeps you front of mind.
Plus, a thank you email is a chance to reiterate your interest in the role, expand on one or two of the discussion points from the interview, or even ask a relevant follow-up question. Engagement conveys not only interest but an understanding of the role and organization.
Even if you decide you wouldn’t take the job if offered, still send a thank you. You never know when you might run into one of those hiring managers again.
The first quarter is one of the busiest hiring periods of every year, which makes it one of the most competitive for job seekers. By avoiding these common video job interview mistakes, you’ll have a leg up when it comes to finding an exciting new gig or permanent position.
Even if you decide you wouldn’t take the job if offered, still send a thank you. You never know when you might run into one of those hiring managers again.
