Best Preparation for Remote Interviews

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Remote interviews, as seen on many of the jobs boards in the UK, are now playing a crucial part in today’s job market. As one of the most innovative job recruitment websites we have brought the most important remote interview tips for candidates to offer you the chance of maximum success.

The pandemic has not put a halt to the recruitment of many companies and remote interviews offer businesses a safe way to manage their workforce without the need for face to face meetings. However, many people are new to remote interviews or have no experience with the latest video conferencing technologies. This is why we have brought you all the best remote interview tips and advice you will need to remain current in a competitive modern workforce.

What Is A Remote Interview?

As the name suggests, remote interviews are conducted without the candidate and interviewer meeting face to face. Both parties remain separate and the interview occurs either via voice call only or most often, via video and other communication tools or apps.

Interviews During A Pandemic

It’s not that remote interviews weren’t a thing before Covid-19 took over the world but the trend has become far more popular on the job sites in the UK since the pandemic changed the more traditional ways of doing many everyday things. Companies and their employees have had to adapt to remote working methods, adapting the relevant technologies to accommodate this. Remote interviews have become the safest and most efficient way of navigating this ‘new normal’.

Remote Interview Technologies

If you have been invited to a remote interview, your potential employer is likely to specify the platform to be used and provide their contact details. It will be down to you to become familiar with the technology required, though most are everyday apps such as Skype, Zoom, Teams or something similar.

How To prepare For A Remote Interview

Preparing for a remote interview, for the most part, is like preparing for a normal interview.
You should:
Research the company
Plan your outfit
Prepare for common interview questions
Brainstorm ways to use technology to your advantage
Make a shortlist of questions you have for the interviewer

However, remote interview have a different dynamic and a little extra preparation is needed:

Decide where is best to conduct the interview ie: a quiet, bright area in your home (with good internet connection).
Test the technology you will be using to make sure it works.
Check your internet connection.
Become familiar with the software that will be used if you are not already.

Succeeding In A Remote Interview

Here are a few tips on how to ace your remote interview:
Remote Interview Setup
After testing the platform and device being used, you should consider your setup…what the interviewer will see/hear when they call you?

Remove Distractions
Remove anything that will be a distraction or create noise. Maybe close the windows and put pets into another room.

Consider The Light
Good Light is essential to create a good impression on a video call. Natural light is best and should come from in front of you when sitting in front of the screen.
Light coming in from behind can create shadows and make it difficult to see your face.

Introductions

The opening of the interview is when you are most likely to be nervous.
Remember, it is the interviewer’s job to lead the conversation. The early moments are often used to get to know you without diving into the heavy questions and require you to communicate well. This is the time to show your interpersonal skills and handle small talk.
Remember to stay positive and remark on quite general things. This can be a good and natural way to move onto more standard interview discussions.

Interview Aids And Prompts
When asked questions, they are likely to be prompted by something written on your CV. Keep a copy of your CV next to you so you can easily refer back to it if needed. You could prepare notes and pre-prepared answers nearby too. However,

Try not to come across robotic and unnatural.
Don’t do this too much because it may become obvious that you keep reading from pre-prepared notes. This does not make a great impression.

You may want to keep a notepad to hand as well. It will come in useful when you ask your own questions at the end of the interview. And to remember key points from the interview. Have a series of questions prepared in case your mind goes blank or you forget something important.

Body Language

With well over 50% of our communication coming from body language cues, remote interviews can pose obstacles.
Smile often and listen/nod when the other person is talking.

Use Remote Interviews To Your Advantage

One of the hardest parts of a job interview is answering questions with valuable information and providing relevant examples. But in a remote interview, there is an opportunity to answer questions in an innovative way.

For example, you could share your screen with the people interviewing you to show them relevant documents such as your portfolio or reviews, your website, past projects. You can demonstrate technical knowledge and skills and provide visuals to help describe situations and decision making
If you plan on using technology in this way you will need to prepare and make sure it is all working. Struggling with a technical issue on a feature you suggested will not look good. Also, close open tabs that you wouldn’t want them to see and ensure your desktop image is professional.

Are Remote Interview Questions Different?

For the most part, remote interview questions will not stray too far from the usual. Expect to be asked what you know about their business, why you want the job and what you think you can bring to their team.

Some interviews require candidates to sit tests or complete tasks to show competency. Interviewers might send you links to tests or set tasks over the call for you to complete.

What to Wear to a Remote Interview

Just because your interview is remote doesn’t mean you can slacken your professional dress code (and wear pyjama bottoms). The invitation to the interview might tell you how to dress. If it doesn’t, you might want to ask.

For business dress code consider wearing a suit and tie or formal business dress. If the dress code is smart casual, you can probably forgo the tie/shirt/suit. However, even If the brief states that the dress code is casual, wearing a shirt or blouse or a smart top is still your best bet.

Take a look at our Jobs Board for UK vacancies available now. Our Jobs board has permanent and temporary positions available for immediate start.

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