7 Zoom Sales Interview Tips

One of the ways the COVID crisis will forever change our society is how we meet. Prior to the crisis, zoom sales interviews were much less common than phone or face-to-face interviews. Post-crisis, web conferencing has become a primary tool in the sales recruiting toolbox. Aside from eliminating travel and the associated costs, they greatly speed up the time it takes to make a sales hire. To help you ace a zoom sales interview (whether you are a hiring manager or candidate), we give you our 7 Zoom Sales Interview Tips. And if you’re a hiring manager, make sure to read #7 at the bottom.

7 Zoom Sales Interview Tips.

Introduction to Virtual Interviews

Virtual interviews, also known as video interviews, have become increasingly popular in the job search process. With the rise of remote work and digital communication, more employers are turning to virtual interviews as a convenient and efficient way to connect with candidates. A virtual interview is similar to an in-person interview, but it takes place over video software, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. In this article, we’ll provide you with valuable zoom interview tips and strategies to help you succeed in your virtual job interview.

1. Understand the Limitations of a Video Interview.

Properly evaluating a candidate’s fit for a role or whether you should work for a given company is hard enough in a face-to-face meeting. After all, human beings have not evolved to evaluate others over a web conferencing call. Considering this, making a feeling-based decision about a candidate or opportunity can be a poor strategy. Therefore, it is crucial to practice active listening and pay attention during the interview, and takes notes when appropriate to help make a more informed decision.

Before interviewing (virtually, in person or on the phone) establish clear criteria for what you are looking for in a candidate or potential boss. Post interview, this can help you can mitigate the bias that likeability and image have on our decision-making process. After all, there are loads of likable, sharp people that you won’t end up wanting to work with. We wrote 3 Undervalued Sales Hiring Traits and 4 Overrated Sales Hiring Traits to help with this. The insights in these blogs apply just as well to evaluating potential candidates as they do to evaluating a potential boss.

2. You Don’t Get a 2nd Chance at a First Impression.

The zoom call will be your first visual impression even if you have already completed several phone interviews. Make sure that you have nailed the basics such as setting, camera angle, and lighting. Ensure your display name is set correctly to reflect your full name. Here is a solid video on How to Look Good on Video Calls. And don’t be late to the call.

3. Trial Run & Technical Setup

If this is your first time, both candidates and hiring managers should perform a mock web conferencing interview and make sure you record it. This will allow you to see how you come across during a zoom call. Consider involving a friend or colleague in the preparation process to conduct the mock interview. Simple adjustments can make a huge difference. For example, you might see that you fail to smile during a zoom call. Receiving feedback from your friend can help you identify and improve on these small but significant details.

You also need to uncover the potential pitfalls of your particular web conferencing platform. As an example, the free version of zoom has a 40-minute limit. Do take the time to understand the platform’s settings. With zoom, set all attendees of a conference as co-hosts when you schedule the call if this will be a group interview. If you don’t, the candidate will get kicked out of the call if the meeting organizer leaves the conference early.

If you are new to zoom, here is a 60 second video on setting up a free zoom account. You can watch a more advanced, 20-minute video that includes how to set up a zoom meeting.

In addition to familiarizing yourself with zoom, you need to be prepared to answer the questions you’ll most likely face during the interview. To help with this, we created our 26 Sales Interview Questions blog.

Before your virtual interview, it’s crucial to ensure that your technical setup is ready to go. This includes having a stable internet connection, a quiet space with minimal distractions, and a computer or laptop with a working camera and audio. It’s also a good idea to test your equipment in advance to avoid any technical issues during the interview. Consider using a virtual background to hide any clutter or distractions, and make sure you’re familiar with the video software being used. For example, if you’re using Zoom, take some time to practice using the mute button, chat feature, and screen sharing. By being prepared and having a smooth technical setup, you’ll be able to focus on the conversation and make a good impression on the interviewer.

4. Understanding the Hiring Process

The hiring process can be complex and varied, but understanding the general steps involved can help you prepare for your virtual interview. Typically, the hiring process includes an initial screening, followed by one or more interviews with the hiring manager or recruiter. The interviewer will usually ask a series of questions to assess your skills, experience, and fit for the company culture. To stand out as a candidate, it’s essential to research the company and the position you’re applying for, and to practice your responses to common interview questions. You can also use this opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the company and the role. You can prepare by reading Smart Questions to Ask at the End of a Sales Interview.

5. Company Culture and Research

Company culture is a critical aspect of any job, and researching the company’s values, mission, and work environment can help you determine whether you’d be a good fit. You can learn about the company culture by visiting their website, social media, and reviews from current or former employees. It’s also essential to research the company’s products or services, as well as their competitors, to demonstrate your interest and knowledge. By understanding the company culture and values, you’ll be able to tailor your responses to common interview questions and show the interviewer that you’re a strong fit for the role. Additionally, you can use this research to ask informed questions during the interview, such as “What do top performers at your company have in common and I’m curious about departments beyond sales. What type of person thrives at your company?”

6. Interview Etiquette

Interview etiquette is crucial in a virtual interview, just as it is in an in-person interview. This includes making eye contact with the camera, using nonverbal communication such as nodding and smiling, and avoiding distractions such as turning off your phone or finding a quiet space. It’s also essential to dress professionally, even if you’re interviewing from home, to show respect for the interviewer and the company. By following these tips and being mindful of your body language and tone of voice, you’ll be able to make a positive impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of success. Remember to be yourself, be honest, and show enthusiasm for the position and the company. Nailing these details are much easier if you do a few recorded trial runs.

7. Zoom Panel Interviews and Virtual Final Interviews.

This last tip is specifically for hiring managers. Final and/or panel interviews with multiple interviewers can be tricky to navigate online. The popcorning effect of interviewers jumping into and out of the conversation can be visually confusing and disrupt the flow of an interview. These distractions limit the interviewers’ ability to properly evaluate a candidate and provide a less impressive experience for the candidate.

We have two tips to mitigate this. First, assign one person to ask the interview questions. Alternatively, you can divide the questions up and establish when each interviewer will hand the questioning off to the next. A smooth-running interview goes a long way toward impressing top talent. Understanding what recruiters look for during these interviews can also help in structuring them effectively. Our 2nd tip for critical hires is to perform a mock final interview with the entire group. Investing an hour could easily be the difference between landing the candidate or not. Preparing to conduct mock interviews ensures that everyone is on the same page and ready for the actual interview.

Like with most things, practice and preparation are the keys to pulling off a successful zoom sales interview.