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4 Ways to Recover from Zoom Fatigue during Your Job Hunt

A recent Harvard Review article identified several reasons for Zoom fatigue—and one of the main reasons was because video calls focus on the face. When you think about it, during any conversation, you look away occasionally—up, down, sideways—you might even close your eyes. It is part of the rhythm of an exchange. But on a video call, you sit endlessly face to face.

A survey by Robert Half ranks another cause for Zoom fatigue in the top three: people talking over each other. Again, when you meet face to face, the etiquette of taking turns is clear; on video conferences, you may find yourself thrust back into the third grade, raising your hand for the opportunity to speak.

In an earlier blog, we gave you some quick tips for your video interview or conference. But if you are beginning to feel Zoom fatigue during your job hunt, here are some ways to restore your enthusiasm before your next video interview:

  1. Cut out nonessential video meetings. Yes, you want to stay in touch with friends and family but right now your priority is your job search. Ask them to call or email instead. Or write a letter.
  2. Give yourself a day between video interviews or conferences. If you cannot manage that, give yourself one video free day during the week. Even one day of recovery helps.
  3. Stay on point. Rehearse your answers to potential questions so that you can speak concisely and efficiently, rather than dragging out the interview with irrelevant detail or prefacing every comment with “uhm” and “you know.” Those quirks of speech can make a video interview or conference seem endless to both you and your audience.
  4. Hide the self-view. While your audience will be able to see you, you will avoid the constant distraction of looking at yourself. Check beforehand that you look presentable and that the camera is pointed at you, not the floor; then turn off the view for yourself only.

In addition to resume writing, Robin’s Resumes® is delighted to offer support for your job search. As a Certified Electronic Career Coach and as a Job and Career Transition Coach, we help you guide your career in the direction you want.

Quick Tips for Your Video Interview or Video Conference

Right now, according to a survey by Robert Half, over 75% of professionals dedicate nearly a third of their workday to video conferences, video meetings, and video interviews—no wonder that so many of them are suffering “video call fatigue.”

If you are engaging in a video interview or video conference, here are 10 tips that will make everything go more smoothly for everyone involved:

  1. Ensure you have the right equipment and Internet speed. Your computer must be fast enough with enough memory to process video. Instead of using your computer, a good video camera can help you position your face at the right height. Using a microphone or earbuds (with a microphone) can help significantly with audio. Practice using the technology with a friend before you have to use it for work.
  2. Check the audio and speak clearly. Before launching into your speech, make sure everyone can hear you. Do not bend your head down when you talk—talking to your chest muffles the sound and prevents visual clues from reaching your audience.
  3. Check the lighting and background. Your lamp may be causing onscreen glare, or the lighting may be so low that no one can clearly see you. You might want to invest in a light specifically for video conferences. Check your background for distractions, and to be sure you can be seen.
  4. Keep the equipment steady. If your camera is shaky, you have your PC on an uneven surface, or you are walking around with a mobile device, you will disorient everyone else.
  5. Make eye contact. Check beforehand to make sure your camera focuses on you, not the ceiling or your desk. Look into the camera and at the people you are talking to onscreen during your video interview or video conference.
  6. Use the mute button if you are interrupted. Mute before you answer your phone, drag the barking dog out of the room, or handle an interruption.
  7. Stay present. As tempting as it may be to work on a crossword puzzle, check your email, or eat your lunch below eye level, wait. The camera will not hide the fact that your eyes and attention are wandering.
  8. Know what you mean to say. For video interviews and online reports, practice your key points. Have a “cheat sheet” handy to prompt you with keywords at a glance. For your video interview, keep a copy of your resume on hand.
  9. Practice the technology you need. If you are likely to be asked for your portfolio or samples of your work during a video interview or video conference, practice sharing your screen.
  10. Stop talking. Conversational etiquette is difficult when you have only part of the social clues ordinarily available to you. Pause every so often to make sure you still have everyone’s attention and to give other people a chance to talk.

At Robin’s Resumes®, we keep informed about the latest job search and interviewing technology so that our clients have support—and resumes—they can rely upon.

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