Nail the Interview: Zoom Edition

Over the years, I’ve written a series of articles titled Nail the Interview, breaking down exactly what it takes to walk into a room, own the conversation, and walk out with the job. But times have changed. The boardrooms, coffee shop meetings, and firm handshakes? Gone like the wind. Now, it's you, a webcam, and a weak wifi signal standing between you and your next opportunity.

So, it was time to write this... The Zoom Edition.

Because the rules of the game have evolved, and if you’re still playing by the old ones, you’re going to lose. No one’s hiring someone who fumbles with screen sharing, zones out on mute, or blends into the endless stream of pixelated faces. You need to stand out. You need to adapt. And you need to make damn sure you still get that YES.

Here’s how.

Rule One - Know Who You’re Up Against (And Act Like You Belong)

Walking into an interview unprepared is like stepping into a high-stakes game without knowing the rules (even if it's just from your bedroom to your office). You think you can wing it? Think again. Your competition? They’ve studied the playbook and are ready to outmaneuver you.

• Know the company inside out. Their mission, values, products, latest news, and where they’re getting their money from. If they just raised a Series B, know what that means.
• Stalk your interviewer (within reason). LinkedIn, interviews, blogs—figure out what makes them tick. Common ground can be your secret weapon.
• Understand the industry. No company exists in a vacuum. Who are their competitors? What are the latest trends? Be the person who “gets it.”

If you don’t do this, you’re just another applicant in the pile. And in a virtual world, that pile is endless.

Rule Two - Show You Give a Damn

If you don’t care, why should they? The worst thing you can do is come across as lukewarm. Companies want people who are hungry.

• Ditch the generic enthusiasm. Saying “I’m excited about this role” means nothing. Saying “I want this job because I’ve followed your company for years and see where I can add value” is a game-changer.
• Energy matters, even on video. Speak with purpose. Sit up. Look into the camera like it’s the interviewer’s soul.
• Fix your setup. No messy rooms, no bad lighting, no kids running around in the background, no echo-y audio. You don’t need a Hollywood studio, just look like you actually tried.

Desperation is obvious. So is passion. Be the latter.

Rule Three - Shut Up and Listen

You think talking more makes you look smarter? Wrong. The more you talk, the less they hear.

• Keep your answers tight. If you can’t say it in under a minute, you don’t understand it well enough.
• Silence is your friend. Let them process your words. Over-talking is a sign of nerves.
• Turn it into a real conversation. Engage. React. Make them forget this is an interview.

Talk less, say more. The best candidates aren’t desperate to prove themselves—they already know their worth.

Rule Four - Control the Flow

Zoom interviews can be awkward. A lag, a weird silence, and people accidentally talking over each other. Your job? Take charge.

• Answer, then ask. When you finish a response, throw in a relevant question. Example: “I led a supply chain overhaul that cut costs by 15%. How is your team handling efficiency improvements?”
• Use their name. It’s subtle, but powerful. “Great point, Sarah” makes the conversation more personal.
• Be bold. Near the end, hit them with: “Do you have any hesitations about my background?” It shows confidence and lets you address concerns head-on.

Owning the conversation means they remember you. And in a virtual world full of forgettable faces, that’s everything.

A couple of bonus rules...

Rule Five - Adapt or Get Left Behind

Let’s get real: The way we work has changed, and so have expectations. Companies want adaptable people, not dinosaurs stuck in the past.

• Master the tools. If you fumble with screen sharing, take forever to unmute, or struggle with basic video settings, you’re broadcasting incompetence. Know the tech, own the moment.
• Understand remote culture. If they’re a remote-first company, show you can work independently and communicate effectively in digital spaces.
• Demonstrate flexibility. Hybrid work? Global teams? Late-night calls with another time zone? Show you can handle it.

This isn’t just about acing the interview—it’s about proving you’re built for the future of work.

Rule Six - Stop Being Boring

Do you know what’s worse than a bad candidate? A forgettable one. No one hires vanilla.

• Have a personality. Be professional, but be you. Show humor, show energy, show some damn charisma.
• Ditch the script. Over-rehearsed answers suck the life out of an interview. Be real.
• Tell a story or two or three. Stats and achievements are great, but stories are memorable. Weave them in.

If they can’t picture you on their team by the end of the call, you’re not getting the job. Stand out, or get left behind.

Final Words: No Excuses

• Fix your wifi. No one has patience for lagging video. If your connection drops mid-sentence, so does your credibility.
• Look like you give a damn. You don’t need to dress like a Fortune 500 CEO, but at least put in the effort. And yeah, I respect Kevin O’Leary’s shorts—just don’t make them your brand (or keep them off video).
• Own your energy. Zoom fatigue isn’t an excuse. If you can’t bring energy for 30 minutes in an interview, how will you survive 40+ hours a week?
• Be early, be ready. Technical difficulties happen, but they shouldn’t be happening to you. Log in five minutes early, test your mic, and be ready to roll.
• Control your environment. No barking dogs, no screaming kids, no random roommates wandering in. You’re the main event, not the circus in your background.
• Close strong. Ask one final killer question, thank them for their time, and make sure they remember your name. End with confidence, not awkward goodbyes.

This isn’t 2020 anymore. Virtual interviews are here to stay. Adapt, dominate, and make them say YES.

About the Author:

Derek Lutz is an executive headhunter who has spent years in executive search and interviewing some of the world's best. He’s the CEO of Lean Six Search | Supply Chain Recruitment , a firm built for the now. He also started Bottle Rocket Search | Coworking & Flex Space Recruitment , a growing coworking and flex space search firm that is on a big upward trajectory. When he’s not hunting top talent, he’s traveling, writing, and finding the best places to eat around the world.

Drop your wildest Zoom interview stories in the comments. The good, the bad, and the cringe. Let’s hear them.