Remote interviewing: Things you need to know

You submitted an exciting application and are about to be interviewed virtually for the job of your dream. Maybe you feel a little intimidated to have your first conversation remotely, and wonder how you can effectively present yourself in a virtual interview. 

Remote interviews are becoming increasingly widespread, even if the job itself has an on-site form. Organizations prefer to conduct their interviews virtually to save time. If the job you are applying for is a remote one, you have to perform well during your remote interview to prove you can effectively collaborate with your team members remotely. 

It is more crucial than ever to know useful tactics to ace your remote interview. For that reason, we are going to learn some of these tactics. 

Gain some information about the company

One of the most critical things you can do before your remote interview is to research the company’s targets. You can learn about the new terminology in that field, the values of the brand, the competitive landscape, etc.

To do so, you can visit the company’s website and understand what is important to the company. Find as much relevant information as possible either on their website or from external sources.

It is recommended that you know about the size of the company, its culture, the founders, the investors, etc. This eventually helps you have valuable insights to demonstrate the value you can add to the company. The recruiter will find out that you have allocated time to do the research. 

Experiment with the technology the recruiter uses

While most aspects of remote interviews are the same as in-person interviews, you may find remote ones more stressful as you have to deal with technology. Not only are you worried about your responses but you may also worry about whether your technology will work steadily. You must get connected on time, make sure your internet bandwidth is enough, and you are familiar with the technology. 

To overcome these potential problems, you should learn how to use the technology your interviewer uses. You can test your internet connection and the software at least ten minutes before the interview. To do so, invite a friend (or even yourself on another device) to ensure you can join a meeting with ease. Don’t forget to check your camera and microphone to avoid any potential issues. 

A good approach is to read the remote interview instruction your interviewer has given to you. Make sure you are comfortable with any kind of presentation tools including whiteboarding and slide sheets. 

Try to simulate your remote interview session in the same place the interview is going to be conducted, with the same internet connection and equipment you are going to use. With all these preparations, you will eventually feel more confident during the interview. 

Make your attire show your personality

Although it might make you feel a little weird to wear your best attire when being interviewed remotely, it can still show your professional personality. That is exactly what your interviewer expects to see in you, even though you are not in a real office.

Wearing a button-up shirt can express your tendency for business. A top with a delightful print can express your creativity or dynamism. Plus, a tidy knit pullover or a nice cotton shirt can show attention to your appearance for the remote interview. 

For more traditional job industries such as law and finance, you need to be more cautious when picking your attire. You can even ask the employer about the decent clothes you can wear, as it can even show you are committed to meticulous attention to detail. 

Your background is also extremely crucial. A neat wall-like background in addition to natural lighting can work best. You can even consider using an artificial background to set everything up properly. 

Prepare questions and take notes

Although you are the interviewee, you can ask questions of the employer. The questions you ask can emphasize your interest in the job, showcase your analytical skills, and prove your intelligence. 

It is recommended that you prepare your questions and notes in advance. This can send a message to the interviewer that you have put preparation and effort into the interview. Interesting questions about the company can put you under the spotlight among all candidates. 

Do not read your notes word by word, just glance at them as recruiters tend to like this behavior. Be careful to ask questions that cannot be easily answered simply by searching on the Internet. 

Form a connection with the recruiter

Although you are being interviewed remotely and over a video, you can make a great bond with the person on the other side. This is not very much different from traditional interviews. You can benefit from body language and soft skills to build a friendly connection. 

Remaining friendly, open, and warm throughout the call can affect the interviewer more positively. It is vital to show yourself excited about the company’s mission and prove that your set of skills can be helpful for the company to achieve its goals. 

Being a little nervous is completely normal; it is tough to be relaxed even throughout in-person interviews, let alone remote ones. Despite that, try to remain positive and confident, even if you suddenly make a mistake. 

Listen carefully to the employer, respond well, engage with them, and be yourself. Find a way to make a personal connection. Ask personal questions about where they live, their hobbies, interests, and even about their day. 

Why do recruiters use virtual interviews?

Virtual interviewing comes with many benefits, especially for recruiters.

With the emergence of COVID-19, the popularity of these interviews has soared. The advantages of remote interviewing can include the following items:

• Save Money: Costs include everything from lunch to flies, and recruiters can exclude them by remotely interviewing candidates. 

• Easier Scheduling: Since both the candidate and interviewer are at home, it is much easier for the companies to schedule the session according to the interviewer’s availability. 

• Faster Employment: It is essential for companies to be able to fill a role quickly. Remote interviewing can expedite the process of employment significantly. 

• It’s Modern: The modern interviewing tools the recruiters use can be the very first thing to impress the candidates. Outdated recruiting procedures can negatively affect the candidates' opinions about a company. 

• Recheck The Interview: Interviewers can save the video of the recruitment process with the interviewee’s consent. This helps them recheck the video if necessary, take notes, and make better decisions. 

• Expand The Candidate Pool: Numerous candidates from various geographical areas can attend the interview session from the comfort of their homes. 

• It’s Stress-Free: Unnecessary added stresses of in-person interviewing are eliminated in remote interviews, helping the recruiters judge the employees less based on their anxious behavior. 

Final words

Virtual interviewing is now normal for most companies. During these unprecedented times, it can help businesses embrace new creative minds in their system. With all the benefits that remote interviewing has offered business owners, it is certainly the best approach to choosing highly qualified candidates through this method. 

On the other hand, candidates can also learn some tips to master their remote interviews easily. Although it may feel a little awkward to interview remotely at first, candidates can make some adjustments and use the virtuality of the interview to their benefit.