The nuances of the future of work for many industries continually evolve. And the implementation of technology is the number one indicator that has transformed most environments and experiences. Remote work is one such transformation and has become a staple of work life, proving that work can really be done anywhere at any time. People who want to work days, or those who are even night owls, have now found the flexibility that is right for them. To that point, recent surveys suggest that 82% of employers are conducting remote interviews using a wide selection of video chat programs, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Discord, and many more.
With all the changes in the types of interviews and technology used, expectations of the interview process for candidates can be an adjustment when conducted remotely. Specific remote interview tips are helpful to candidates that are new to the remote work environment, as it isn’t going to be exactly like an in-person interview.
The 6 Main Remote Interview Tips that Work for In-Person Interviews, Too
In SSi’s Off the Cuff podcast, SSi Success Tips Part 2: Interview Tips, Jessica Morris helps explain tips and tricks to help for interviews, especially remote ones.
Prepare:
- Preparing for an interview is a crucial first step. Advantages to preparing can be as simple as calming nerves, perhaps giving an advantage over other candidates. Preparing includes researching valuable information on your interviewer and the company.
- Connecting on LinkedIn ahead of time is a great way to build a better understanding of an interviewer and their company, as it allows room for stronger networking pre-interview. Pronunciation of the interviewer’s name is also very helpful to know to avoid awkward greetings.
- With interviews being vastly remote nowadays, it is important to keep in mind that logging on ahead of time and having a quiet space is a great way to prepare, so there is no rush, and there is time to make sure links and everything needed for the interview are working.
- Generally, all companies ask similar questions during interviews, so researching standard interview questions is another good way to prepare. However, questions are becoming more personalized to the remote setting.
Be Ready to Tell your Story:
- Be aware that the overall interview is about you, so be mindful of embellishments to avoid misleading on any qualities/attributes.
- Have confidence in yourself and know your resume. Resumes should be highlighted and edited to showcase your best qualities and experiences geared towards the current specific job interest.
Manners and Matters:
- Having all the talent and required qualities is important, but your manners and tone also come into play. Negativity is not energy that an interviewer wants reflected in their company.
- HR, hiring managers, recruiters, interviewers, etc. are all looking for the person who is excited to be interviewed for this job, so the candidate must radiate positivity and professionalism to show their interest in wanting to be a part of their team. First impressions matter.
Questions:
- Candidates should most definitely show up to the interview with prepared questions. Asking about the team, how they work together, tools they use, etc. are what hiring managers like to see. Questions that are significant to the company and the environment will impress the interviewer as well.
- Bring about three questions to the interview, and towards the end of the interview, ask about 1-2 of them, depending on what has already been covered. Be ready to engage and actively write down answers when the interviewer answers your question. The remote-style interviews make it easy to jot down information quickly.
First Interview:
- No matter through a computer screen or in person, the initial interview is a gauge of the candidate’s personality. There could be several rounds to an interview, so always showcase your personality in the first one.
- An online assessment of your skills is another possible thing that could happen in the first interview.
- General conversation is also what can be in a first interview, but you must have an elevator pitch as to why you are looking/job searching.
- Be aware that technical skills will be the primary focus.
Attire
- During office calls/videos, nearly half of American remote workers now wear office-appropriate shirts/blouses while also wearing casual bottoms (sweatpants, etc.).
- With that said, the interview falls under a non-loungewear day! Smart attire in neutral colors that don’t clash with backgrounds is a good approach; formal business attire is waning across the board, but a put-together look is the general rule.
Accepting all Potential Outcomes
Even if you are unsure if you want a job, but you have the opportunity to take part in an interview, you should still take it. Jessica Morris informs in her podcast that while passively looking, accepting an interview is “worth exploring what your value could potentially be.” Don’t pass on an opportunity because certain details of the job could interest you more than you think. It’s good practice, increases networking opportunities, and could lead to future positions down the road.
At SSi People, our recruiters work with consultants on best practices for interviewing, including the remote interview. They have a deep knowledge of what hiring managers are looking for and with their coaching, most interview settings are successful. Talk with one of our recruiters today about opportunities that might be right for you.