Job interviews on Zoom, Teams and Google Meet are now normal, especially with Gulf and international companies. The problem is that a dropped call or a frozen screen throws you, and your English disappears at the same moment. Here are the phrases you need for each situation, so you can handle it calmly.
At the start: check everything works
To check the sound: Hello, can you hear me clearly?
To check the video: Can you see me all right?
When the sound or connection drops
Don’t pretend you heard. Ask politely for a repeat. It’s better than answering a question you didn’t catch.
When their audio breaks up: Sorry, you broke up for a second. Could you repeat the last part?
When the video freezes: I think your video has frozen, but I can still hear you.
When you’re back after a drop: Sorry about that, my connection dropped. I’m back now.
When someone is on mute
When you can’t hear them: I think you’re on mute.
When you forgot to unmute: Sorry, I was on mute. As I was saying…
When you need to share your screen
They may ask you to show past work or a file. These phrases make it smooth.
Before sharing: Let me share my screen. Can you see it now?
When you finish: I’ll stop sharing now.
The day before
Test the same app with a friend, pick a quiet spot with the light in front of you rather than behind you, and keep the interviewer’s number or email in case the call drops completely.
An online interview is still a real interview. Dress as you would for the office, and look at the camera when you speak.
