College grads, listen up! While the job market is challenging (especially this year, given COVID-19), don’t be discouraged. Use that expensive piece of paper you just earned alongside some extra strategy to land the best job for you. 

Here’s a list of interview dos and don’ts to provide you with some guidance in this job search environment so you can crush your next Zoom interview.    

Dress to impress
This goes without saying, but we’re still going to say it. We know you’ve likely been living in sweat pants for months (we have, too!), but it’s important to dress as if you’re going to an in-person interview even if you’re doing a video call. That means dressing appropriately from head to toe, even if you put on blue jeans and a nice dress shirt or blouse. Not only does putting on an interview-appropriate outfit demonstrate you put in the effort, it can also help put you in the right, professional mindset for the interview. 

Send that resume
Normally we would tell you to bring copies of your resume with you to your interview, along with a pen and paper to take notes. A similar gesture would be to email your resume to the person interviewing you 10-15 minutes before your interview so they don’t have to go digging for it. Your interviewer is likely time-starved, so anything you can do to make their life easier is a win.

Still take notes
At Snackbox, we LOVE when our interviewees take notes during an interview. We’re usually dropping some serious knowledge during an interview. Jotting things down demonstrates the candidate is not only 

engaged in the conversation, but is getting as much as possible out of the interview. A notebook is also a great place to prepare your thoughts and write down the questions you have for the interviewer for your quick reference. And, we can’t stress this enough… always, always have questions. 

Tech check
Test to make sure your Zoom or Skype application is working properly before your interview, and that you have a good handle on all the controls. Have you allowed access to your microphone? Is your camera working? Are you well-lit so they can see you? Is there anything in your background that would raise concerns (example: an eclectic poster, empty White Claw cans, etc.). We also recommend choosing a quiet spot in your home to do the interview… the less dogs barking or babies crying, the better. 

Come armed with questions
While we noted this above, we can’t stress this point enough so we’ll tell you again. Research the company and the person who will be interviewing you and have questions prepared. These don’t have to be questions only about the role itself. If you’re speaking with a professional that has a role you’re interested in, there is a 100% chance they can offer you advice, insights and more. Did you read a blog post from the company that you really enjoyed? Ask them about it. Did the interviewer work at a prestigious firm in a past life? Ask them about it. Is their company praised for their company culture? Ask them about it. Do they think a hotdog is a sandwich? Ask them about it. 

Send a thank-you note
When your interview is complete, send a thank you note to your interviewer. Normally we would recommend sending a handwritten note to their office to really stand out amongst the other interviewees, but depending on the company, they may still be working remotely. We don’t advise asking them for their home address, so an email a few hours after your interview will do just fine in this situation. 

Go get ‘em!
With these interview hacks, you’re ready to take that video interview by storm.