5 Essential Tips Before Your Next Zoom Interview

I have sat in both a candidate and an interviewer's seat in my career. So I know exactly what is going on in both the minds before, during and after the interview process. I want to help you crack those interviews by providing you with the necessary resources on this website and also by giving some useful tips to keep in mind during the interview.

With most companies moving to work from home model, interviews over video conferencing (especially over Zoom) have become the only option lately. The world has changed and we software developers love "change" because we were told that's the only "constant" in our career.

Traditionally, interviews have been mostly face-to-face. A few years ago, when I was continuously giving interviews, I was asked to write code on a whiteboard and express my approach to the problem with a touch of body language. But nowadays, since our lives are pretty much virtual, it's kind of hard to express what you are thinking about. Especially if you have not turned on the webcam.

#1. Join the call on time and turn the Webcam ON

There are high chances that the HR is probably arranging the zoom interview for you as a host and they might start breakout rooms as candidates join one by one on the interview drive day. Make sure you turn the Webcam ON. By doing so, you get immediately noticed as most candidates and interviewers will not turn it on.

Before turning it ON, choose a place where light is directed towards your face (sit in front of a window). Most laptop webcams are bad, so proper lighting is your only option here. And please make sure you have a good microphone. Having either a gaming headset or an external mic is incredibly useful.

#2. Keep your favourite code editor handy

Few companies will prefer an online code editor like CodeSandbox or CoderPad. However, many companies and interviewers don't prefer it. The interviewer may ask you to open in your local machine due to VPN issues, blocked websites or maybe they want to see how you set up the coding environment.

Time is money when it comes to interviews. The faster you write code and arrive at solutions, the higher your chances to get selected. You will be fast in the code editor you use daily due to muscle memory. Ask the interviewer if you can use your local editor to write code.

#3. Keep a sample project bootstrap ready

The last thing you want is getting stuck in setting up a sample project during the interview. Even today, when I am taking interviews, I still see candidates starting from scratch. It would have easily saved 10 minutes if a sample bootstrap was already ready.

Keep a sample React project (a blank create-react-app) and make sure Node is installed. Also, install all the dependencies beforehand. Don't waste time during the interview installing packages.

#4. Environment setup is crucial

Before the zoom interview starts, make sure you have done the following:

1. Set a professional-looking background in Zoom if your background is cluttered
2. Keep your mobile in DND mode (or switch it off)
3. Make sure your laptop is connected to power supply
4. Place the webcam in proper position with external mic close to your mouth
5. Make sure your wifi router is connected to a UPS
6. Inform family members that an interview is going on
7. Wear something formal even if you're not visiting the office
8. Update your OS to avoid interruption
9. Turn off notifications on your computer
10. Make sure your hands are visible in webcam for appropriate body language

#5. First the approach, then the code

In the zoom call, after the interviewer presents you the problem, carefully read the problem and start asking questions back if something is not clear. Don't jump into coding. Break the problem into understandable statements and clarify your doubts.

Your next step is to explain your approach. If the interviewer says "go ahead" or "start coding", you can be sure that this is their expectation. If they ask for a different approach, you've saved coding time on a wrong approach.