Are you prepared for your next job interview? You may be relieved to learn the commute may only be as far as your living room. Read on to learn the advantages of a Zoom interview and the best tips and practices to make it a successful experience.
Job interviews of today are getting more screen time as employers are opting to use video conferencing software, such as Zoom, to connect with job candidates instead of traditional in-person meetings. In light of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing, Zoom interviews have become more popular than ever. If you have already been using Zoom to connect with family and friends, you may think you have a handle on using this video conferencing software. But how would you fare using it in a job interview?
Below we have prepared a checklist of tips to help you prepare for a successful job interview via Zoom. But first, let us start with some of the ways both employers and candidates are benefiting from screen-to-screen interviews in contrast to traditional face-to-face ones.
Advantages of Zoom Interviews
Interviewing for a job can be a bit nerve-wracking for some. And for the interviewers, scheduling them can be a challenge. Conducting interviews via Zoom can be beneficial for both parties, thus making the experience more convenient and less stressful. Here are some of the advantages of Zoom interviews over traditional in-person ones:
- No face-to-face contact—which is particularly beneficial during COVID-19.
- Reduces pressure and puts candidates more at ease, since they are in their own environment.
- More convenient for out-of-town participants—both employer and individual candidates.
- Interviews can be arranged and organized quickly.
- Employers can screen candidates efficiently.
Ways to Prepare for a Zoom Interview
Preparation is the key to success, especially when preparing for a Zoom interview. Here are some helpful tips to prepare for a positive experience:
- Conduct practice interviews and record yourself to evaluate and fine-tune your answers and screen appearance.
- Update your computer with the latest edition of Zoom software.
- If using a laptop, check that it is fully charged.
- Be sure you have a strong internet connection.
- Advise household members of the day and time of your call to limit distractions.
- Close out everything on your desktop before the interview.
- Dress professionally.
- Choose a:
- Professional background with limited clutter
- Room with good lighting—facing toward a window is better than having the light behind you
- Quiet space that is free of distractions – make sure children and dogs are secured in separate rooms
Tips for Success Before the Call
There are a few simple things to do right before the call that could make or break the interview. Be sure to:
- Silence your phone and put it away until after the interview.
- Turn off all notifications from social media websites and other distractions.
- Use a desktop or laptop when possible instead of the Zoom mobile app. Computer cameras are more stable and also provide a better view for the interviewer.
Tips for Success During the Call
Now that you have selected the best space for your call, fined-tuned your computer and are dressed for success, here are some important tips to keep in mind during the call. Remember, a Zoom interview is just as formal as an in-person one.
- Use your mute button when you are not talking to eliminate any distracting background noises.
- It has been proven that most people look at themselves during Zoom meetings, so you can hide your video from your display by right clicking on your video and selecting “Hide Myself.” This will enable you to focus on and make eye contact with the other people in the meeting.
- Be aware of your body language. Maintain good posture and use non-verbal cues like smiling and head-nodding when listening to the interviewer.
- Ask questions with confidence.
Vaughn College is dedicated to the success of its students. We hope you found these interviewing tips for a Zoom interview helpful. Remember: You only have one chance to make a good first impression. Now is your time to shine. Visit career services to learn more about how Vaughn College can help you on your path towards a futureproof career.
Going above and beyond and embracing opportunities has led Vaughn senior Atif Saeed ’20 to achieve academic success throughout his life. At 22 years old, Saeed will be graduating summa cum laude next month with a bachelor of science in mechatronic engineering—completing the program one year early.
He credits Vaughn College for supporting him every step of the way and offering opportunities that he says were stepping-stones to his success. Here’s his story.
Humble beginnings
Born in Pakistan, Saeed moved to upstate New York with his parents and two siblings when he was three years old. In 2012, his family moved to New York City where Saeed attended high school. Knowing he and his siblings could be first-generation college graduates in his family, Saeed said he was very motivated to attend college earlier than the normal timeframe. He began a dual-enrollment program in high school, where he took online college courses to fast track his graduation in three years instead of four. “I watched my father work 14-hour days to support our family,” Saeed said humbly. “I felt strongly about working and studying hard to earn my college degree and pursue a career that could help my family.” Looking back, he said taking engineering courses early on in high school gave him a head start to gain the knowledge he needed to succeed in college.
Passion for aviation
Growing up, Saeed said he was obsessed with watching documentaries that explained how things are built. He explained how his passion for aviation stemmed from a family trip to Dubai about 10 years ago. “We boarded an Airbus A380 aircraft and I was immediately in awe of the size of the plane,” he said. “That day was the turning point for me. It was then I realized I wanted to work with aircrafts.”
Pursuing the dream at Vaughn
At 17 years old, Saeed enrolled in the aviation maintenance associate of applied science (AAS) degree program at Vaughn’s Aviation Training Institute. After earning his AAS degree, he kept his eye on his future and enrolled in the mechatronic engineering program at Vaughn. “I chose mechatronic engineering to broaden my job opportunities after graduation,” he stated. “I believe the wealth of knowledge in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering—combined with computer science—is a winning combination to position myself for a futureproof career.”
Embracing opportunities at Vaughn
There’s no denying Saeed studied diligently throughout his time at Vaughn; however, he believes it was going beyond the walls of the classroom that helped set his future on a track for success. “I made it a priority to take on leadership roles in several clubs at Vaughn,” he said. “I embraced every opportunity that was offered to further my education and knowledge in the field.” To date, he holds two licenses and certifications, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant License and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) General Radiotelephone Operator license. Additionally, he has authored four publications presented at industry conferences and has received several awards throughout his time at Vaughn. Saeed said he believes the strong relationships he built with his professors, faculty and career services department were instrumental in helping him prepare for a successful career.
Stepping-stones to his future
First and foremost, Saeed believes anyone can be successful if they are willing to work hard and do what it takes to achieve it. “Attitude is everything. From a young age, I was taught to go above and beyond anyone’s expectations, including your own,” he said humbly. “You only answer to yourself. If you do whatever it takes to rise above the rest, you can achieve anything.”
He shares some tips on what students can do while in college to make themselves competitive after graduation:
- Acquire licenses
- Sharpen communication skills
- Attend conferences
- Submit work for publication
- Connect with faculty and build strong relationships
- Keep an open mind
- Start building resumes early
- Don’t give up
With several job offers on the table and numerous acceptances to graduate programs across the country, Saeed is gearing up for the next chapter in his life after graduation. “I believe today’s students need to be laser-focused on acquiring the necessary tools and knowledge to be competitive in today’s market,” he said. “Vaughn can get you there.”
The next chapter
Saeed loves a challenge and the next chapter of his life will be no different. In June, he will begin his new job at Lockheed Martin Space in Sunnyvale, California, working as a mechanical engineer. Alongside his job, he chose the University of Southern California to pursue his master’s in aerospace engineering, where he will be taking online courses beginning in August. “I believe education is the cornerstone of success in the field of engineering,” Saeed said. “I plan on earning my master’s degree to help me advance in the industry, then move onto earning a master’s in business administration (MBA) to round out my credentials.”
Home is where the heart is
He may be moving across the country, but Saeed says his close-knit family will be close at heart. “It will be hard leaving my family, but they are amazing people who have supported me my entire life. My father worked hard so I could go to college. Now, it’s my turn to return the favor.”
Leadership, a love for aviation and his exceptional people skills were the driving forces behind Vaughn graduate Otha Ward’s ’19 pursuit of a career in airport management. At 22 years old, Ward is making a name for himself at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), where he holds the position of airport operations agent.
A day in the life
Airports operate under Part 139 Certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure safety in air transportation. As an airport operations agent, Ward is responsible for upholding and meeting the standards of Airport Operating Certificates and assist in keeping airport operations within FAA compliance. On any given day, Ward is responsible for numerous aspects of airport safety. Here’s a snapshot of some of his responsibilities:
- Operations: Bird strikes are a reality in aviation safety which can have catastrophic results. Ward explained how keeping wildlife under control is no easy task, as JFK airport lies near a protected wildlife preserve, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. “My job is to ensure the runways and taxiways are clean, safe and free of any wildlife,” he said. Ward pointed out how they never use any lethal methods but instead rely on devices that make loud noises to scare the wildlife away, such as pyrotechnics.
- Construction: Airport construction sights must be managed to the highest standards to ensure pilots do not fly into a construction zone. Among the responsibilities of the sight safety observer―or SSO―is to keep the site safe by controlling the lighting, providing the sufficient number of security guards and placing the low-mass barriers in the correct positions. “Managing the construction site is one of my biggest responsibilities,” Ward stated. “It’s my job to keep the site safe. I have the control to shut the site down if I feel it’s unsafe and I have done so in the past. There’s no cap when it comes to safety.”
- Relocating Airplanes: Another aspect of his job is to relocate airplanes when space is at a minimum. “We have a separate ‘parking area’ for these planes. I work directly with air traffic control to keep everything flowing smoothly on the ground.”
Why he chose Vaughn College
Growing up in Baldwin, NY, Ward loved to play sports but also shared his time with his extended family who lived in New York City. After high school, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the aviation industry. But where? Being familiar with the area, Ward researched colleges in the neighboring towns and boroughs. “I was blown away by Vaughn College and their recognition as being ranked number one in upward mobility,” he said. “The high success rate of students finding great jobs in their field after graduation sealed the deal for me. Choosing Vaughn was a smart choice.” In fact, 99% of Vaughn graduates are employed or continue their education within one year, and 83% are employed within their chosen field. Ward is a perfect example of a student who has achieved this and more.
The pathway from Vaughn to JFK
While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in airport management at Vaughn, Ward explained how the faculty, staff and curriculum all worked together seamlessly to ensure his success.
- Summer internship: The career services department was instrumental in helping place Ward in a summer internship at JFK, where he said he earned valuable experience and exposure to the industry. His exceptional work ethic and performance afforded him an extension of his internship through the academic year, where he worked his way up and gained further experience.
- Leadership roles: In his junior year, Ward gained more proficiency and exposure by holding leadership positions in campus clubs. He was the president of the Vaughn student chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and vice president of the student chapter of the Women in Aviation organization. As an alumnus of the College, he currently serves on the president’s board with industry leaders.
- Outstanding professors: There’s no denying Ward received an outstanding education and gained rewarding experience at Vaughn. He credits his success with not only the professionalism and knowledge of his professors but the firsthand experience from the adjunct professors. “They teach and we learn in real time. It’s one of the most valuable parts of a Vaughn education.”
Three months prior to his graduation in May 2019, Ward began working in his current position at JFK. “I knew it was a rigorous application process for the job at JFK, so I submitted my resume early,” Ward explained. The three-step process took months to complete, but Ward said it all paid off in the end. After submitting his resume, he was required to take the Airport Operations Agent (AOA) exam. Then, the waiting process began when the decision board narrowed down the applicants and asked them back for an interview.
Ward credits Vaughn with helping him pursue his dream and land a rewarding career at an international airport. “Vaughn is a special place,” he stated humbly. “The College has connections that sets it apart from other institutions—making that one of its greatest assets. I’m grateful to everyone at Vaughn for helping me get to where I am today.”
