Crush Your Remote Interview: Essential Tips to Stand Out

COVID-19 pandemic made us all adopt virtual interactions as mode of getting work done.  Zoom, MS Teams, WebEx replaced conference rooms, classrooms, office cubicles etc.  Likewise, even in person job interviews were conducted virtually.  For any person not used to this kind of interview, experience can be nerve-racking. However, it was helpful to reduce COVID-19 transmission, scheduling convenience and lessen the stress related to traveling to new location/office/city.

 As someone who did internship during 2020 as we did job search in 2021 remotely, I would like to share some interview tips you can use during your next virtual interview that will help you ace the conversation and land your next dream job.

• Find a well-lit, quiet space

It is important that you have quiet and well-lit space for virtual interview as it helps to minimize distractions. You do not have to revamp your whole room for an interview but be cognizant of your background that will be noticed by interviewers. To give best first impression is to have wall/wall art as background or simply use virtual background. But keep virtual background simple (non-distracting, non-offensive). If you are supposed to have your camera on for interview, a good lit area gives good impression as well as boots your confidence while talking.

Make sure your let your family, roommates etc. that you have an interview, so they just don’t barge-in into your space. Get someone to take care of your pets so you can focus on your interview without worrying about your cute pets. If you are expecting amazon deliveries, food deliveries ask them to not ring bell or do not disturb sign will be helpful too. You can use noise-canceling headphone to limit any disturbances.

It’s a bad idea to choose public space (Cafes, restaurants) for remote interviews as there many distractions that cannot be controlled by you. It will hamper your communication with interviewers. Possibly hamper your chances of landing jobs due to interruptions from surroundings.

• Do a test run of your technology

Technology and devices are your main mode of communication for interviews. Test them at least a day prior to interview day. Check your Wi-Fi speed, camera, headphones, microphones, platform that will using for interview (Zoom, Webex etc.) for smooth working. Do multiple technology checks/test before interview day just to be sure.

You can assess your connection through a simple Google search for “Internet speed test.” And if its slow disconnect Wi-Fi connection to unwanted devices.

Familiarize yourself with virtual platform. Try mock interviews on platform.

Keep your devices fully charged, you don’t want to run out of battery during interview. If you are doing to use cell phone to connect audio, don’t forget to put it on “Do not disturb” mode during interview.

• Dress appropriately

Just because it is a remote interview, does not mean that you can dress unprofessionally. Treat it like any in-person interview. Dress professionally. This makes interviewers think that you are well prepared. A simple shirt will do for both men/women. Go for neutral-colored clothing as safe option. However, make sure your attire does not get blended into your virtual background. Avoid flashy rings, earrings etc. as they can be nuisance for interviewers as well as create camera blurs.

In this world of remote work, we have forgotten to dress up for the bottom half. Make sure you are dressed up top-bottom as you never know you may have to get up from your chair during interview, due to any reason and there is mishap waiting to happen.

Dress up for yourself as it boosts confidence and comfort.

• Prepare prepare prepare!

It goes without saying that you have to be ready with generic/technical interview questions but with remote interview its important that your comfortable with talking to a screen. You have to enunciate words properly for an effective online conversation. Get used to talking via microphone and understand if there will be an echo, glitches etc. Take brief pauses as there is always lag between you speaking and it reaching to interviewer.

If you are going to present slide deck during interview. Do rehearsal using virtual platform to understand how to navigate screen sharing, slides etc.

If you have to keep camera on, make sure you maintain eye contact. Learn how you would look though camera. Keep your posture and body language, interview appropriate. You do not want to give the impression that you are not interested in the interview or job. When talking practice looking at camera rather than you own image on the screen.

It is normal that you will nervous during interview. This leads to lot of hand/feet fidgeting. Though hand gestures are important part of communication, you want to limit your visible restlessness. Keep hand close to your body and not right in front of camera. Keep your arms open and not crossed/closed as open arms suggests trusting body language.

• Send a follow up email

The best thing to do after any interview including a remote interview is to send your interviewer a thank-you email for their time and opportunity. You should send it within 24 hours of the interview. If you had multiple interviewers, it is important to send each one of them own personalized thank-you note. Do not send general email to everyone. This small gesture goes long way. Trust me I am talking from own experience.

• Small talk

Start interview with small talk. Such as where are you based? how is the weather there? Did you watch yesterday’s Astros game? This helps to ease out tension, makes you look friendly. You can also keep a funny story ready to tell interviews to build a rapport. Remember to keep the talk “small “(short) though. Display your soft skills like body language, people skills, communication to express your confidence and individuality.

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