Remote Interview
It’s not uncommon for a job seeker to mistakenly get the impression that remote interviews are more relaxed compared to traditional interviews.
….But nothing is further from reality.
According to statistics from the United States Census Bureau, remote interviews have become the norm, with millions of personnel getting hired to work from remote locations.
Considering the need to make a good impression during the interview, it’s recommended that you arm yourself with some job interview tips for remote workers.
Having the right tips ensures you know everything you need to do to help you know how to stand out as a candidate.
Below is a look at some of the top tips to keep in mind during the preparation process.
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Job Hunting During the Pandemic
The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact individuals and corporations alike in diverse ways.
Some companies have had to ask their employees to start working remotely as a bid to either cut costs or reduce the risk of getting infected. In some other cases, some employees have found themselves getting laid off or furloughed.
If the pandemic has affected your work situation, leaving you without a formal means of employment, you are probably wondering how you should proceed.
While the hunt for a job may prove challenging at the moment, it isn’t to mean that employers aren’t hiring.
Brushing up on the best practices for interview preparations may help you to land a role in IT and online learning or even shipping and delivery.
These are industries that are actively hiring even today. Find out all industries that are hiring during this pandemic and immediate hiring work from home jobs
Sign up with Flexjobs for 100 percent legitimate remote jobs.
Preparing for a Remote Job Interview
Each passing day sees the pandemic place a firmer grip on the world’s economy, even as more people are forced to start looking for work.
Included in this number are millions of workers who haven’t had to search for employment in years, maybe even decades.
For some, the new world of job hunting is proving challenging, making them realize the need to become proactive.
If you are in this group, you have no option but to brush up on how to prepare for an interview. It includes learning the activities you need to do to get ready.
They include:
1. Confirm You’re Ready for Remote Work
Of all job interview tips and preparation activities given to remote workers, this is perhaps the most surprising one.
But then again, it’s something you must consider before you schedule any interviews.
The reality is that there’s a large group of workers looking for remote work, but who don’t want to work fulltime in an office or even fully remote.
If you’re in this group, you should think twice about what you truly want. It could be you’re only interested in a regular job that provides you with the occasional opportunity to work from home.
2. Get the Space in Order for your remote interview
Having confirmed that remote work is what you want, start getting your space in order.
It’s among the top tips for remote workers, as you will, at some point, need to make a video call or two.
Clean your surroundings during the preparation process. Cleaning will involve taking your items and storing them away in closets and cupboards.
Check your background for controversial posters or anything similar to this before the interview.
It’s always best to completely get rid of anything present in your space.
Although storing them in one corner of the room may appear satisfactory, the items may end up distracting you during the interview.
Sign up with Flexjobs for 100 percent legitimate remote jobs.
3. Make Sure You Dress Up for remote interview
Dressing up is among the tips for remote job interviews you shouldn’t think of overlooking.
Have you ever attended a typical interview wearing a tank top or your pajamas? No? Didn’t think so, either!
Despite people knowing fully well that this isn’t acceptable behavior, they still tend to overlook proper dress codes when attending remote interviews.
While some do so hoping not to have to switch their cameras on, the interviewer may ask you to do so.
It’s best to prepare well in advance to avoid finding yourself in a situation where you have to explain that you are not wearing pants.
And just because the video interview isn’t as formal as the normal one doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look professional.
4. Confirm Your Software and Hardware Works
How many times have you held a video call, only for you to keep repeating any of the following phrases?
- I can’t hear you right now, but it was working earlier?
- Can we reconnect? I can’t see you
- Give me a few seconds to locate my headphones
If you are serious about landing that remote job, you won’t want the interview to start with any of these phrases.
Before starting the interview, check whether you have all the necessary software and that your hardware is also functional.
Run a check to confirm that the microphone, loudspeaker, and camera are all working.
5. Double-Check the Time Zone for your remote interview
Time zones may appear like a minor detail, but it’s quite significant.
If the interviewer is using a different time zone, confirm that you both meant the same time when scheduling the interview.
Confirm you don’t have any other activities set for this time to guarantee total availability.
When mentioning your time zone, ensure you use the correct terminology.
You will need to differentiate between GMT or UTC. In case you aren’t sure, look them up in advance, and remember that daylight savings are likely to affect some locations.
Suggesting and confirming the time zones on both ends helps to do away with confusion, making it possible for each person to fully participate.
Sign up with Flexjobs for 100 percent legitimate remote jobs.
6. Don’t Let a Bad Internet Connection Stress You
By now, you probably know Skype leads the way when it comes to unwanted connectivity issues during video calls.
The good news is that there are now better video solutions, e.g., Webex, Zoom, and Google Hangouts.
Some of these solutions aren’t free of issues as well. As such, don’t get stressed when you experience sudden interference.
Instead, politely ask the interviewer to repeat the question.
There is always a real chance that sudden interference may happen to any of the parties involved.
Asking the question or sentence to be repeated for you ensures you get to answer all the questions, and leave a mark.
It also reduces your chances of providing the wrong answer to an important question.
7. Get Yourself Prepared for remote interview
Remote or not, you need to ensure you are fully prepared.
Go online and research the company. Also, think about the questions they are likely to ask, and the questions you may want to ask the interviewer.
Try to show some enthusiasm during the interview.
Proper preparation goes a long way towards displaying self-motivation.
If an interviewer feels that you aren’t inspired or motivated, they may assume that you will naturally begin to slack off.
Where possible, give examples of accomplishments you have made without another person’s supervision or support.
Conclusion on remote interview
Preparing for remote job interviews calls for some flexibility and patience.
Hiring managers and job recruiters may take a while to respond and to fill the available roles.
You, therefore, need to learn to exercise patience, even at a time when everyone else around you is low on the same.
Sign up with Flexjobs for 100 percent legitimate remote jobs.
About the author:
Olivia Coughtrie is Co-founder & Director at Oriel Partners, a London-based PA and administrative recruitment consultancy. Olivia is passionate about providing companies with high-quality talents while helping candidates reach their full potential at the same time.