At The Strategy Group, preliminary interviews are a big part of what we do. Between our own hiring and the search work we run for clients, we sit on the other side of the Zoom call more often than most — and over time, that’s taught us exactly what separates a candidate who moves forward from one who doesn’t. We’ve pulled together a few of the do’s and don’ts we keep coming back to.

Preliminary video interviews have become the default first step in most hiring processes. They’re shorter than in-person interviews, often less formal, and easy to underestimate — which is exactly why so many candidates stumble here. This is your first real impression, and getting it right matters more than people think.

THE DOS

  1. Do test your tech beforehand. Open Zoom at least 15 minutes early, check your camera angle, audio, and lighting. A dead battery or frozen screen five minutes into an interview signals a lack of preparation, fair or not.
  2. Do treat it like an in-person interview. Dress professionally (at least from the waist up — but really, just get fully dressed), sit at a desk or table, and eliminate distractions. The informality of video calls tempts people to relax more than they should.
  3. Do make eye contact with the camera, not the screen. Looking at the other person’s face on your monitor feels natural, but it reads as looking down or away on their end. Glance at the camera lens when you’re speaking, especially during key points.
  4. Do have your materials within reach. Resume, job description, notes on the company, and a few thoughtful questions — all close by but not distractingly visible on-screen.
  5. Do choose a clean, quiet background. A neutral wall or tidy room works better than a virtual background, which can glitch or look unprofessional depending on lighting.
  6. Do follow up with a thank-you email. Within 24 hours, send a brief note referencing something specific from the conversation. It reinforces that you were engaged and paying attention.

THE DON’TS

  1. Don’t join from your phone while walking or driving. It happens more than you’d think, and it undermines your credibility instantly.
  2. Don’t let notifications interrupt you. Silence your phone, close Slack, and shut down email. A ping mid-sentence breaks your focus and the interviewer’s impression of your attention.
  3. Don’t overexplain your setup. If your Wi-Fi hiccups or your dog barks, a brief acknowledgment is fine — a long apology derails the flow of the conversation.
  4. Don’t forget body language still matters. Slouching, fidgeting, or looking bored translates just as clearly on camera as in person, sometimes more so because the frame is tighter.
  5. Don’t ramble because the format feels casual. Video interviews can feel more relaxed than sitting across a desk from someone, but interviewers are evaluating you just as closely. Keep answers structured and concise. Listen to the question and answer the question. Only the question.
  6. Don’t skip the research. Some candidates assume a “preliminary” interview means lower stakes and show up underprepared. Recruiters notice immediately when someone hasn’t looked at the company or the role.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A preliminary Zoom interview isn’t a formality — it’s often the deciding factor in whether you move forward at all. Treat the technical setup, your presentation, and your preparation with the same seriousness you’d bring to any interview, and you’ll stand out for the right reasons.

Have a question for us, or want to add to our list? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Karen Brennan, who handles The Strategy Group’s searches at kbrennan@thestrategygroupllc.org.