Faculty Zoom Interview: Tips and Know-Hows – Part 2

Here are more Zoom interview tips following the previous post. This time, more on techniques and setup that you can improve easily.

Your Zoom Interview Setup Is Part of the Evaluation (Whether You Like It or Not)

This is not about aesthetics. It’s about friction.

Even though it is not part of the rubric, committees are unconsciously asking:

• Is this easy to listen to?
• Is this person clear, stable, and prepared?
• Am I distracted for reasons unrelated to content?

Practical implications:

• Stable internet matters. Find a place with a stable internet connection.
• Clear audio matters. Avoid noisy places. Check how you sound prior to the interview.
• Eye-level camera beats perfect lighting or a fancy background.

If people are struggling to hear or see you, they won’t blame the technology—they’ll just feel tired.

Clarity Matters More Than Charm in Zoom Interview

On Zoom, subtle charm or charisma doesn’t travel well. Clarity does.

Be prepared to:

• Speak slightly slower than feels natural.
• Finish thoughts cleanly.
• Pause intentionally instead of filling silence.

What feels “flat” to you often sounds “clear” to everyone else.

Check out Vinh Giang’s YouTube channel for helpful tips on how to speak clearly, like this video (not a paid promotion):

Zoom Interview Makes You Look More “On” Than You Feel

In person, there are physical transitions: walking, sitting, moving rooms. On Zoom, everything is face-forward and continuous.

That means:

• You’ll feel more drained faster
• Facial expressions matter more
• Neutral resting faces can look disengaged

It’s okay to:

• Nod more than usual
• Use small verbal affirmations (“That’s a great question”)
• Take a sip of water

These aren’t theatrics. They’re replacements for lost physical cues.

Silence Feels Worse on Zoom Than It Actually Is

Pauses feel longer. They’re not.

Committees are:

• Taking notes
• Thinking
• Muted (5+ years into the post-COVID era, we’re still learning how to use Zoom)

Resist the urge to:

• Fill every silence
• Over-explain
• Walk back answers prematurely

Let the pause exist. It usually means things are fine.