Zoom Interview Tips: How to Prepare for a Zoom Interview

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Interviewing on Zoom comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. Learn how to prepare to set yourself up for success.

[Featured image] A professional in a white blouse sits in front of their laptop during a Zoom interview.

Key takeaways

  • Zoom interview tips include testing your tech ahead of time, setting up a clean and distraction-free environment, and dressing to present yourself professionally on camera.

  • How to prepare for a Zoom interview is similar to the way you'd prepare for an interview in person, but with additional technical difficulties to consider and mitigate like poor internet connection, a dirty camera lens or bluetooth audio pairing issues.

  • Zoom etiquette requires you to use your real first and last name (not a screen name), join the meeting on time, and use professional body language.

You'll find more tips for Zoom interview processes in the following article. You can also prep with an industry leader by enrolling in Google's online course, Prepare and Practice for Interviews with AI, part of the Accelerate your Job Search with AI Specialization.

Online interview tips: What to say at the start of a Zoom interview

Consider beginning your Zoom interview much as you would an in-person interview, with a greeting to the interviewer or whoever has joined the meeting. After exchanging hello’s, you can also thank the interviewer for meeting with you at the beginning of the interview. Additionally, before entering the meeting, you want to make sure you’re sitting up straight, keeping your face in the middle of the screen, and starting the interview with a smile.

Zoom interview tips

Upon scheduling, you'll receive a link to a Zoom meeting or a numerical meeting ID scheduled for a set length of time. As with an in-person interview, you could be speaking with a recruiter, hiring specialist, or the manager or supervisor to whom you’d report. Your next step is to configure the technological aspects of your Zoom interview. You can take a few simple steps to feel confident and prepare for your interview:

  • Double-check instructions from your contact at the organization, including the day, time, and timezone of the interview, the Zoom meeting link you’ll be using, and other details.

  • Charge your device and install the latest version of Zoom.

  • Set up a free Zoom account if you don’t already have one. Personalize the basic settings by adding a headshot and selecting your time zone.

  • Pull up the organization’s website and your resume, cover letter, preparation notes, and other application materials.

  • Sign in to the email account from which you applied for this position.

  • Start a new Zoom meeting and test your internet connection and app settings. Adjust the audio and video settings to your liking. Add a virtual background, or blur the background if you prefer not to display your physical space. Practice using the mute button, chat feature, screen share, and video recording features.

  • Leaving the Zoom meeting open, place your device where you feel most comfortable conducting the interview. If possible, experiment with the room’s lighting and angle your screen about 45 degrees from a light source to provide the clearest view of your upper torso and face. When the setup is to your liking, end the practice Zoom meeting.

  • Silence all notifications on your device.

  • Close all other windows, tabs, and programs besides your application materials.

  • A few minutes before the interview, settle into your space and click the Zoom link.

Panel interview tips on Zoom

For a Zoom panel interview, the biggest adjustment is remembering that you are speaking to several decision-makers at once, not just answering one person’s questions. That means you need to stay organized, aware of who is speaking, and intentional about how you divide your attention.

  • Find out who will be in the interview ahead of time, if possible. Knowing each person’s name and role helps you understand the dynamic and tailor your answers more effectively.

  • Greet the full panel at the start.

  • Direct each answer to the person who asked the question, but avoid focusing on them exclusively for the entire response, as you still want to engage the rest of the panel.

  • Keep your answers structured and concise. In a panel setting, clear answers are easier for multiple people to follow, especially on video.

  • Pause briefly before answering. On Zoom, slight delays can make it easier to interrupt someone unintentionally.

  • Stay visibly engaged even when you are not speaking. Your posture, facial expressions, and attentiveness still shape the impression you make.

End by thanking the entire panel. Acknowledge everyone, not just the person who led the conversation.

How early should you join a Zoom interview?

It’s good practice to join your Zoom interview five minutes early. Not only does this give you time to check your connection and technical settings, but you will also be prepared and settled into your setup when the meeting begins. 

Read more: Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview

How to follow up after your Zoom interview 

Within two or three days, follow up with your potential employer to express your gratitude for the chance to interview and enthusiasm for the position:

  • Address an email to the most appropriate recipient: Your interviewer, recruiter, hiring manager, or the supervisor for your role.

  • Begin the email with a greeting and a short “thank you” message.

  • Include the date of your interview and the position for which you applied.

  • Confirm you’re still interested, and summarize how you can contribute to the organization.

  • Add any essential details that you did not discuss during the interview. 

  • Close by stating that you’re eager to hear the next steps.

  • If no timeline was given during the interview, wait at least five business days to receive a response, and if you don’t, follow up a second time.  

Read more: How to Send a Follow-Up Email After an Interview: Scenarios, Samples, and Templates

Discover more interview preparation tips and career guidance

Explore our Career Resource Hub for free, digital career-building resources. Then, discover interview prep-specific learning opportunities, such as:

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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