Top Tips to Ace that Remote Job Interview!

Covid-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives. That being said, WFH or Work-from home has become the new normal. Even during the peak of the pandemic, the world did not come to a standstill owing to technological advancements.

Companies continued to fire and hire people, just the process shifted its location from a four-walled room to a four-cornered flat screen. Cracking a job interview under regular circumstances can be a daunting process in itself, the element of remoteness only adds to the difficulties one might face during the job interview.

Since you clicked on this article, chances are you are currently in the middle of a job search and have a remote job interview lined up in a few days. If that’s the case, we have a few tips that you might want to keep in mind before you turn on that webcam.

TRIPLE-CHECK YOUR WI-FI CONNECTION

This is extremely important. You must always make sure that your internet connection is stable during the course of the interview. Poor connection, disruptive video, and continuous voice cuts due to lagging internet can hurt your chances of clearing your interview.

If the internet connection at your place is poor then, try giving the interview at a friend’s place or inform the interviewer beforehand so that the interview can be rescheduled.

KEEP YOUR NOTES HANDY

One of the few perks of a remote interview is that you can keep your notes and resume handy while responding to the questions. Do make sure that your notes aren’t visible to the interviewer.

Keeping the notes on your table or even taping them on your screen can work. Make sure that you don’t read out of the notes and use them just for reference.

AVOID BACKGROUND NOISES

People yelling or a construction drill aren’t the sounds meant for an interviewer’s ears. Even though the interviewer might not directly say something, constant background noises can affect your chances of clearing the interview. Background noises can affect the flow of the interview. Make sure that you choose a quiet place while giving the interview.

DRESS WELL

Another meme-worthy perk of remote interviews is that you only need to worry about dressing the upper half of your body. You need not worry about your shoes or pants but make sure that you wear professional clothes and look presentable during the interview.

Additionally, don’t neglect your face and hair. This is where the hiring manager is going to be looking at most of the interviews. Dressing casually just because you’re in a domestic setting is not the best idea because clothes form your first impression.

BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

Body language often conveys more about a person than their actual words. Paying attention to your body language is as important in a remote interview as it is in any other interview. Many people often ignore their body language in a remote interview.

Make sure to:

Sit upright
Smile
Nod your head
Maintain eye contact

While maintaining eye contact is important make sure that it’s not creepy. Being mindful of your body language shows the interviewer that you’re confident and engaged in the conversation.

USE EARPHONES/HEADPHONES

It is ideal to use earphones during a remote interview even when you’re sitting in a quiet place. Sounds have a way of emerging when we need silence. Using earphones will make sure that the interviewer does not miss out on anything that you say. Make sure you don’t speak loudly into the mic, keep your tone soft and polite.

TIDY UP YOUR ROOM

In traditional interviews, the interviewer is responsible for the surroundings but in a remote interview that responsibility falls upon you. While the interviewer won’t be able to look at your whole room, he/she sure will be able to look at a considerable portion of it.

So, make sure that the area that is visible to the interviewers is tidy and organized. For example, if your bed/ table is visible in the frame then make sure that it is not cluttered. Try to keep the background non-distracting and simple.

PRACTICE ON THE VIDEO CHAT SOFTWARE BEFOREHAND

Once you’re aware of the video chat platform, make sure you download and set it up the latest by the night before the interview in order to avoid last-minute technical difficulties. It won’t hurt to familiarise yourself with the functions of the platform.

In addition to this, you should also conduct a mock interview with your friends. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the functions of the platform and will also give you an idea of the actual interview. You can also use this mock interview to decide your frame for the interview and to check your voice etc.

So, there you go folks. Keep these tips in mind and you’re all set for your remote jobs in Corinth MS. All the best!