In-person interviews have long been the norm, but there are many times when it’s not practical or even possible. In these scenarios, there is the option for a remote interview. No matter which side of the interview you are on, it can be helpful to get some remote interviewing tips to ensure the process goes well.
Here are some things you can do to prepare for a virtual interview.
Curate your space
First impressions make a big difference in the remote job interview process. You need to be in a space where you feel comfortable and focused on the interview. Many of us don’t have the ideal background for this, but you should use good judgment about where to be when the interview happens. A clean and simple backdrop is best.
You should also consider the following relating to your space:
- A computer with a webcam (a smartphone may be a good alternative)
- Adequate lighting
- A space free from distractions
- Have some water on hand
- Prepare a notebook and pen
- Ensure your internet connection is stable
- Have your email and phone number ready
These things will help with how to nail a job interview remotely.
Test your internet and virtual platform
If you are unfamiliar with the platform your interview is taking place on, take some time to practice ahead of time. This is one of the most basic but important remote interview tips. In most cases, the meeting link or ID for virtual interviews will have been set up for your interview. This means you can log in ahead of time to see how it functions and check for any technical issues that may otherwise arise.
Take this opportunity to test your speakers, camera and microphone, as well as familiarise yourself with the platform. You should also check that your internet connection is stable and sufficient to handle the live stream. This is all vital in preparing for a virtual interview.
Dress to impress
Though you may be at home for this interview, and your interviewer may be as well, they can still see you. Just as with an in-person interview, it’s important to dress to impress. It’s all part of virtual interview etiquette.
There is lots of guidance on how to do that, but you want to look smart and comfortable. It’s generally better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Showcase your personality and be expressive
Communication is about so much more than just the words we say. In a video interview, you can still communicate with things like facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
To express yourself and showcase your personality, you could:
- Always maintain eye contact with the camera
- Don’t be afraid to pause sometimes – internet lag time should not cause parts of the conversation to be missed
- Minimise noise and distractions around you so that you can stay focused
This is one of the most important virtual interview tips, just as it is with any kind of interview.
Communicate your passion and energy
The interviewer wants to see that you will be a good fit for their organisation. This means they want enthusiasm and passion as well as things like experience and expertise. You would showcase these at an in-person interview, so make sure they come across during a remote one too.
Don’t be afraid to speak about how things make you feel or show the energy you have for the type of work you will be doing. Follow these remote interviewing tips, be confident, be enthusiastic and be inspiring – it will go a long way.
If you found this article helpful, you might also like: The 10 most common interview job questions and answers.