Late winter and early spring are peak season for post-doctoral interviews and second visits for faculty hires. If some of your interviews will be over Zoom, this blog’s for you.

Whether you are interviewing or being interviewed, odds are you are about to be a video star.  We’ve rounded up the most practical and clear advice we could find to help with preparation.

Some of our favorite tips refer to thoughtful consideration of your physical set-up, first impression and demeanor:
> Camera Angle – a slightly elevated camera that is level with your face or a slightly downward view.
> Lighting – maximize natural light and watch for shadows and silhouettes; a ring light gives a natural, ambient glow in spaces with limited options.
> First Impression – remember, your screen name is part of your first impression.
> Eye Contact – keep eye contact with the camera and smile occasionally.

Essential Tips to Prepare for a Video Job Interview via Monster

Part of preparation should be a “plan if things go haywire.”

8 Proven Video Interview Tips to Help You Succeed via FlexJobs

Punctuality still matters, so get set up early. Also, wear real clothes – head to toe – lest you need to stand up to get something.

Job Interview Mistakes to Avoid, Part 3: Phone & Interview Pet Peeves via Forbes

“Take phone and video interviews as seriously as live interviews, and prepare for these types of interviews specifically.”

Rocking the Phone/Skype Interview via “The Professor Is In”

Solid, generalizable tips for students through faculty.

16 Advanced Zoom Tips for Better Video Meetings via Groove

Ninja skills like rapid invites, shortcuts, and little-known settings including making your video image more attractive.

Please add your stories, recommended links, and tips in comments for those new to the video interview trail.

Other Resources

Not that Kind of Candidate: Tales from the Interview Gauntlet

Q&A: How to Give a Chalk Talk

International Postdoc Experience: An Interview with Dr. Brian Mautz

Want to live on the Edge?

Register


Join the conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Saving subscription status...

2 Comments

Thanks for sharing! Recently learned that upperwear is all I need for Zoom

Lighting makes a huge difference to one’s appearance – worth doing a little experimenting with this.

You May Also Like