With the rise of remote work (and ultra-fast Wi-Fi), virtual job interviews have become commonplace. But mastering them is an art, and unfortunately, what works in an in-person interview doesn’t always work in one conducted over Zoom. Even the smallest seemingly mistake could cost a perfectly qualified candidate the position in question.
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And they may not even realize that they are making a mistake.
According to new research from resume writing service TopResume, job candidates are ruining their virtual interviews by making the following mistakes.
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Avoid eye contact or staring into space. In fact, this mistake was considered the most costly to make and, despite how unnatural it may be to look into the camera while speaking, it is highly recommended.
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Sitting in a messy room.
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Leaving inappropriate tabs or applications open while sharing your screen.
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Using a non-professional background.
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Being interrupted by the candidate’s family members.
TopResume compiled the list by asking employers to cite the worst possible crimes a job candidate can commit.
Note that aside from the first mistake on the list, none of these mistakes are the kind one might make during an in-person interview, which goes to show how important it is to perfect your online etiquette for these Zoom-heavy times.
“While virtual interviews have become a ubiquitous part of the hiring process, even as more companies require employees to return to the office, our data shows that many candidates still haven’t mastered the art of the virtual interview, and it’s sabotaging their candidacy. ”said Amanda Augustine, career expert at TopResume. “Fortunately, these mistakes can be easily avoided with modest preparation, while helping job seekers focus on connecting with the on-screen interviewer, demonstrating their qualifications, and better determining if it’s the right opportunity.”
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In addition to being careful not to make the five critical mistakes highlighted, job candidates participating in Zoom interviews should also do the following, according to LinkedIn:
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Be in a well-lit room.
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Use a fully charged or plugged in laptop that has all of its software updates.
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Let everyone in your household know that you are interviewing.
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Practice using Zoom or whatever software the interview will be conducted on before you begin the interview.
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Test your audio and microphone beforehand.
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Silence notifications on your phone and desktop.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This Remote Interview Mistake Could Cost You a Job, Even If It Looks Unnatural
