How to nail your remote work interview
A video call interview for a remote-first company just isn’t the same as an in-person interview. Yes, you will still be asked questions and get the chance to see if you and the company are a good fit, but it comes with its own set of pros and cons.
You don’t have to worry about the bus being late and not making it on time, but you do have to worry about your internet failing. You don’t have to worry about accidentally tucking your skirt into your knickers and not noticing until after the interview, but you do have to worry about forgetting to unmute yourself every time you are going to talk and suffer a different type of embarrassment.
If you want to know the ins and outs of remote work interviews, from a company that has conducted hundreds of remote interviews, then read on. We have some tips and advice laid out for you below.
Do your research
1. What is there to know about the company?
This is top of the list because somehow it keeps getting forgotten. Please, do not show up to an interview if you have not done your research into the company. This is true for any job interview. But remote companies are even more likely to have an online presence and wealth of information to dig into. You can learn a lot about a company by reading their online content (hello blog.ofri). There’s really no excuse.
2. Who is interviewing you?
Find out who will be interviewing you and find out everything you can about them. If they do not tell you who the interviewers are, it is totally fine to write and ask.
3. Which industry is the company active in?
If you are not familiar with the industry they are in, then read up and find out. A treasure trove of insights and useful information is within your fingertips. You want to show the company that you understand their market position and what they do. This is true no matter what position you are applying for.
4. Remote first or hybrid?
Find out if they are a remote-first company or a hybrid company and then find out how these types of companies operate. If they are running a remote interview the likelihood is that some, if not all, aspects of the work will also be remote. Show them you know what this means and what it entails.
Prepare your space
There is nothing worse than logging onto a call with a potential candidate to see that they are sat in a noisy cafe, in a park on a bench or in their bedroom with clothes strewn across the floor behind them. If that’s how you live, who are we to judge, but at least hide it from view.
Take the time and initiative to find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. Minimise visual clutter and try to have a clean and clear background so the focus is on you and not the cat photos on your shelf.
Make sure the lighting source is in front of you so we can see your face. Don’t have the window behind you or sit in a dank and dismal corner. Play around with your lights and make sure you are clear and visible as possible. You might even have a selfie ring in your cupboard from that time you thought you were going to start a youtube channel, perfect, get it out!
Do a test run
Don’t just show up and hope for the best. It’s painful to sit in a call where the other person is tangled in their headphones, asking “Can you hear me?” for the first five minutes of a call and crackling in and out of focus.
Do your prep work before the call. Test your internet speed and have a backup option if needed.
Test your headphones work and arrange a test call with your Mum or bestie before the interview. Do not leave it to chance.
Log onto the call 5-10 mins early and test your microphone and video. Be prepared and don’t let technical difficulties waste precious time.
Prepare yourself
Just like getting your room and technical set-up ready, get yourself ready. I know, we live in a digital world where Instagrammers like to denounce the dress suit and post selfies of themselves ‘closing deals’ in their pyjamas, but please, not in the interview (or the work meetings for the matter.)
Get dressed and feel your best. It’s a psychological thing as much as an aesthetic matter, you will feel readier if you’ve gotten changed, had a wash and combed your hair/ polished your head. We want to see you in your element so make the effort. Also, we know if you’re not wearing trousers, you think we don’t, but we do.
Ask questions
Take the time to figure out what you need to know to decide if this job is the right fit for you. Remember, it’s a two-way street: The company wants to find out if you’re right for them, and you should also want to find out if they’re right for you.
Ask some questions that will help you make a decision, or about any topics that are unclear. If they are a remote company and you haven’t worked in one before, ask them some questions about their processes or company culture. Show them you have taken the time to prepare and think about the opportunity and possible job.
Other
And some other little tidbits that might help you along the way:
Pause after asking a question or giving an answer, sometimes there is a delay in online conference calls.
It’s ok to take a moment to think about your answer.
Try and keep eye contact with the camera so they know you are paying attention to them. Body language and a smile can still be picked up by a camera.
Have a pen and paper handy to take notes if needed.
Smile, and try and enjoy yourself :)
If you can manage to do these things, then you have set the stage to really make the most out of the interview and have the best chance of showing the interviewers why you are the right person for the role. Don’t let a bad internet connection or a lack of preparation stand between you and your dream job.
Do you have any other tips we’ve forgotten? Let us know in the comments below.
