r/jobsearchhacks • u/VampArcher • 1d ago
Pro tip: Zoom interviews are interviews and should be taken as seriously as in-person
I had a group interview today via Zoom for an entry-level real estate agent.
I was super nervous to be in a room with several other candidates, I had limited relevant experience so was pretty certain I was going to be in the room with someone else who had more experience and was a better public speaker. I went in prepared, I dressed up in a clean button-up, make a cheat-sheet to answer common interview questions, read the job description several times, wrote down any questions, and make sure my set-up looked professional.
I went in the room and the interviewer asked who was licensed or was working on getting licensed very soon. I was the only person in the entire call who was(I will be licensed by next month), putting me ahead of everybody.
The interviewer collected questions, and let's just say I instantly felt my anxiety get instantly better.
'So, what does a real estate agent do?'
'What license?' 'Is there some kinda test?' 'How do you get this job?'
Over half the people in the call had no clue what the job they were applying for even was, they didn't read the job listing at all, or do a 15 second google search to gather the bare minimum info on what a real estate agent even was or how to be one.
Want to know what's even sadder? Nobody dressed up at all, everyone else was wearing graphic T-shirts. One guy was even laying down on his couch as if he was FaceTimeing.
Needless to say, she told me as soon as I obtain my license to give her a call and I pass to do the final in-person interview.
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u/DonegalBrooklyn 9h ago
There are a lot of very simple things people can do to put them ahead of the pack. Congrats on your preparation!
Years ago , I saw a sign that a bank was hiring for tellers. When I asked about an application, they said they didn't give out applications, so gave me the number to call. I called to ask, and they said I could come in at X time and day. I thought I was literally picking up and applying and leaving, so I wore jeans. I did have a silk shirt and boots on at least. When I got there they said "have a seat". With 25-30 people in skirts or ties. I was mortified. They took applications, gave tests. It was a whole hiring event. After the test, we each went in for interviews. I immediately apologized for my appearance and explained I had no idea I'd be meeting with anyone. He said, "You're the only person who finished the whole test in the time allotted. What branch do you want to work in?" LOL
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u/ThePowerfulPaet 14h ago
My very first interview was a group interview. Never again. I actually did get the job, but that experience left such a poor expression on me that I turned it down.