Remote interviewing is on the rise. As more and more of us choose to work from home so more and more employers are adapting to the trend in their recruitment methods. And with the development of software designed to make managing teams remotely a seamless process, its hardly surprising.
Couple all this with the world’s ageing population, which has lead to a decreasing pool of potential employees from traditional age ranges. Employers are recognising that competition for talent is growing. Fully remote and hybrid working is here to stay and the best employers know that they need to offer flexibility in order to attract the best talent to their vacancies.
Preparing yourself for the interview
Preparation for any interview is crucial. You wouldn’t walk in to a test unprepared and expect to pass with flying colours. Well it’s the same for interviews. You may be uniquely suited to the vacancy, but if you haven’t prepared there will inevitably be something that doesn’t go well. For instance you might not be familiar with the kinds of questions you could be asked or how to respond in a way that would resonate with the interviewers.
Research
You should familiarise yourself with the company culture, goals, key products and services. Other important areas include the industry and challenges of the job you have applied for. You need to consider how you plan to convince the interviewers that you have the skills and qualities they are looking for.
Use the company website, their social media accounts, information held by professional bodies and any friends and family who might have worked at the company or know others who have.
Interview questions
First of all its important to say that your job is not to make sure the interviewers know everything you have found out about their business and industry. The main point of the research is to help you understand the questions and the types of responses the employer will be interested in. This is true whether you are attending an in person interview or a remote interview.
You will almost definitely be asked general interview questions but you may also be asked competency based and strength based interview questions. Most employers will let you know what to expect but its worth familiarising yourself with all types of interview questions just in case.
Look at the person specification and the kind of role for which you are applying to identify a list of all the skills and qualities the interviewers will be looking for. Then consider how you might illustrate your skills and qualities in terms of competency and strength based questioning techniques.
Prepare your space and technology
A quiet and well lit area is essential if you want your interviewer to hear and possibly see you properly. Find a space where you won’t be disturbed and ensure that you let everyone else know to stay away for the interview.
If it’s a video interview, for instance via Zoom, test your audio and video equipment beforehand to avoid any technical issues. You want to come across as professional and well-prepared. Taking the time to set up your remote interview space properly is crucial.
Mastering phone interviews
During a phone interview, your verbal communication skills become even more important since the interviewer cannot see your non verbal cues. Speak clearly and try to be grammatically correct. Above all, ensure that your tone reflects enthusiasm and confidence.
Active listening is crucial during phone interviews. Just as the interviewer will not be able to see your non verbal cues, you wont be able to see theirs. Take the time to fully understand the question before responding, and ask clarifying questions if needed. This will show the interviewer that you are engaged and genuinely interested in the conversation.
During any kind of interview, including a remote interview, there will be nerves. Don’t laugh at the interviewers comments unless you are absolutely sure they intended to be humourous. The absence of non verbal cues can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings. Approach the interview professionally and the interviewer will notice you for all the right reasons.
Avoid Distractions
It is easy to get distracted during a phone interview, but it is essential to remain focused. Always silence other devices, particularly notifications on your phone. Give the conversation your full focus. You wouldn’t multitask while in an in person interview so don’t be tempted to do so during a phone interview.
Don’t walk about during your remote phone interview, even if it calms your nerves. You may not notice it yourself but the interviewer will notice the change in breath and your voice as you do so.
Excelling in video interviews:
Video interviews, using software such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, are the closest we have to their in person equivalent at the moment.
You will have a lot more non verbal information from the interviewers than is the case with phone interviews. This means you need to approach them in much the same way.
Dress professionally
Dressing professionally is not just about projecting the right image. It has a psychological effect. Dressing professionally has been found to make you feel more confident and professional in the way you conduct yourself.
This matters, even though the interviewer may only see you from the waist up. To the employer, dressing professionally illustrates you are taking the job opportunity and them seriously.
Pay attention to non-verbal communication
Body language plays a crucial role in remote interviews. Maintain eye contact with the camera, sit up straight, and use appropriate facial expressions to convey your interest and enthusiasm.
Remember that the interviewer can see you, so it is vital to be aware of your non-verbal cues throughout the interview. Practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend can help you become more comfortable with your body language.
Practice screen sharing
You may be required to screen share if you need to present any relevant documents or portfolios during your remote interview. Take time to familiarise yourself with the screen sharing feature on the software you’ll be using. Zoom and Microsoft Teams both have free subscription levels of their software that would allow you to do this.
Practice beforehand to ensure a seamless experience. Make sure the documents are easily accessible and well organised, so you can quickly navigate to the information you need to share. This will demonstrate your technical proficiency and preparedness during the interview.
And finally…
If you do the preparation you’ll be able to approach your phone or video interview with confidence. You’ll come across as professional and stand out against the other applicants when it comes to shortlisting. However, if you find you’re not successful, learn from the experience. If you can, try to get feedback from the employer and above all, don’t despair. Nobody gets every job they apply for. Its how you bounce back that matters in the end.