Zoom Interview Tips for Nonprofit Hiring Committees

Remember when video interviews were new and we were trying to figure them out?  Now they are common place and we’ve just added in-person interviews back into the mix when necessary.

But as advanced as candidates have become on preparing for a Zoom interview, we still are seeing some hesitation on the interview panel side.  So, here’s a refresher for Zoom interviews for the interviewer:

1.  Make sure your Zoom Link works.
2.  Make sure your Camera and Microphone work and are in the proper position.
3.  Make sure you know how to turn yourself on and off of mute.
4.  Arrive at the interview 5-minutes or so early to greet the panel and get instructions.
5.  Have your interview questions and any candidate information available.
      This could be printed, on a second screen or on a shared screen.
6.  Think about the biases you are bringing to this interview.  From how long it takes a person to log-in to impressions you have about their background or computer screen.  All of these biases impact what you hear and how you relate to the candidate.  Make sure you are aware.

During the interview, we are all on good behavior.  That includes:
1.  Don’t get up and leave and then return.
2.  Don’t turn your video off during the interview.
3.  Allow some facial expressions, movement or otherwise show you are listening and engaging.
4.  Don’t send messages via chat (you just never know).

Candidates are navigating the search environment on a daily basis.  We hope, encourage and instruct search panels to take just a few minutes to be receptive and prepared.