In the digital age, remote job interviews are becoming more and more common. Many companies find this easier than flying candidates in for an interview. It’s also a great way to gauge how well the candidate will fit into the team and give them a chance to see if they’re a good cultural fit before making them an offer.
We all know that interviews can be nerve-wracking at the best of times, but when it’s remote, there is that much more pressure to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Preparing for your job interview is essential, and these tips will help you get hired!
Tip #1: Check your internet connection
This is not just about the room you’ll be sitting in for the interview. When it comes to video calls, the environment you’re in is just as important, if not more so, than the actual room.
Your internet connection will be the first thing anyone will notice when it comes to your connection, so make sure you’re on a stable internet connection. The last thing you want is for the connection to be dropping in and out every two minutes, which happens more often than you’d think. Thus, make sure you’re on a strong WiFi connection.
If you have to use a hotel WiFi connection, go to their website and see what the connection speed is like before you agree to the interview. If it doesn’t look good, don’t take the interview.
Tip #2: Check your microphone
If you have a built-in mic on your computer, you’re probably going to pick up a lot of unwanted background noise. This will distract you from your interview and basically do you a disservice. Whether you’re using Zoom or Skype, having a good-quality external microphone can help increase the chances of landing that job.
The clearer your voice is, the better. You don’t want to risk being interrupted by the sound of cars driving past or random household noises. If the company is using Zoom, it’s also a good idea to get a noise-canceling headset. This will help you sound clearer and be less interrupted by unwanted noise.
Tip #3: Check your video
A lot of people don’t give video quality the attention it deserves. But when you’re applying for a job, you have to put your best foot forward and show the interviewers that you are a good fit for the job. The last thing you want to do is give the impression that you don’t put any effort into your video calls.
If you know you’re going to be interviewed via video call, set up the environment beforehand so that you can be fully prepared. Make sure the lighting in the room is good. Avoid placing the computer on top of a pile of blankets and a box; that will only make the image look darker.
Tip #4: Test your equipment beforehand
After checking your internet connection, microphone, and video, it’s time to get them all tested. It is best to perform a test run on the platform that you will be using for the interview. This way, you can ensure that no unexpected technical issues arise during the interview.
If possible, call and practice with a family member or a friend. Ask them to give feedback on your audio and camera. If they can’t hear and see you clearly, conduct a speed test. It is possible that your internet connection is slow. And in that case, contact your ISP as soon as possible.
Getting your remote work interview setup tested ahead will remove your fears and anxiety. It will also allow you to focus on other things to do to succeed in your remote job interview.
Tip #5: Have your professional resume ready
In every job application, a professional resume is required. This will give recruiters an overview of who you are, your educational background, and your work experience.
However, just because you have already submitted your resume doesn’t mean you won’t need it. During the interview, the recruiter may ask you to go through your educational background and work experience. And chances are, because of the nerves, you may tend to forget some important details. That is the last thing we want to happen in an interview, right?
Sure, you can always open a copy of your resume on another tab. But having your eyes move back and forth between screens can make it appear like your attention is not on the interviewer. And if you just saved your resume in the cloud, how will you push through when the cloud is down? This is when a hard copy of your professionally-created resume comes in very handy.
Tip #6: Be confident
If you’re just starting out with remote job interviews, you might feel more nervous than you would if you were in front of a company’s human resources manager. To ease the nerves, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare and get yourself used to the pressures of being interviewed on video. Once you’ve gotten over the initial nerves, you’ll start to feel a lot more comfortable.
Practice in front of a camera so you can get the hang of how to hold yourself. When practicing, make sure you know the company’s mission, culture, and values so that you can make sure to address those in the interview. This will show the interviewers that you did your research and are genuinely interested in the company—two things you want to show in any remote interview.
Tip #7: Be prepared to share why you want to work remotely
If a remote job is being offered, employers will usually assume that candidates know the ins and outs of this setup. Remote jobs attract more applicants than on-site ones because of the freedom and flexibility that come with them. So, for a remote job interview, you may want to expect at least one or two questions about why you are considering the remote job.
Of course, you can talk about having a work-life balance. You can even back it up with productivity when in a home office. What’s important is that you are prepared for the question. The moment they ask why you considered the position, then just be honest.
Tip #8: Smile
Smile! This will make you look truly interested and engaged.
A smile can shine through the computer screen. And it can help you appear grateful, confident, and delighted to be speaking with the interviewer. It’s also proven and tested that smiles make people appear likable. So, you might want to begin the remote job interview with a cheery smile.
Tip #9: Prepare your questions
At some point during the remote interview, the recruiter will ask you if you have any questions for them. To prepare for this, have all your questions about the role on a piece of paper or on a Google doc. With all your questions ready, you can continue talking to the interviewer, appear confident, and save your precious time.
Here are some suggested questions to ask the interviewer:
- What are the biggest challenges of this job?
- Is overtime expected?
- How many people are in this department?
- Who am I going to report to?
- What are the perks of working for this company?
- What is your favorite part of working in this company?
- Do you provide career development opportunities?
Tip #10 Listen closely, and do not interrupt the interviewer
If you can’t hear your interviewer clearly or if there are delays, miscommunication may happen. And in this case, the best thing you can do is to listen closely. While pausing can cost time, note that interrupting can be far worse.
Tip #11: Treat the remote job interview like an on-site one
This is a common misconception. While it’s true that there are some differences between an in-person and remote interview, there are also many similarities. Just because you’re interviewing remotely, it doesn’t mean that you can slack off.
Nail the basics, and make sure you don’t do anything to distract the interviewer from the conversation or make them think less of you. Arrive at the agreed-upon time, dress the part, and address the interviewer with the same level of respect you would if they were in the same room as you.
When you’re talking, don’t forget to smile and give the interviewer the same level of eye contact you would if they were directly in front of you.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when preparing for a remote job interview is to be confident. You can’t let the fact that you’re not physically in the same room as the interviewer throw you off or distract you from doing your best.
When it comes to remote interviews, there are 3 main things employers look for: presence, communication, and culture fit. If you nail those, you’ll do great in your interview, regardless of whether you’re face-to-face or not.
Make sure you’re prepared for your interview and do everything you can to show the interviewer that you’re the best candidate for the job. This means that you need to dress the part, have a strong resume, and make sure that you are confident in your abilities.