Written by Joyce Lee, Associate Director at Lewis Sanders
Top Tips for Succeeding at Remote Job Interviews
As the world has fully emerged from its Covid-19 restrictions and safeguards, many measures from the pandemic period have remained the new norm in the corporate world, such as work from home or remote working arrangements. Interviewing candidates remotely via video conferencing or telephone became a necessity during the pandemic and has remained commonplace amongst employers for providing a more efficient process for both interviewer and candidate.
Though you would prepare for a remote interview in much the same way as you would a traditional face to face interview – like preparing a self-introduction, preparing answers for common interview questions, etc – there are things to anticipate that are specific to remote interviews.
1. Audience
You will ideally be conducting your remote interview in a quiet, closed-off space, free of distractions where you won’t run the risk of being interrupted during your interview. With video interviews, you should pay special attention to your surrounding background that will come into view during your interview. Most video conference platforms will provide fake or blurred backgrounds now but if you’ve not applied one, do remember to do a check before your camera turns on that nothing stands out too much or looks overtly untidy or unprofessional.
Be mindful of your space being sufficiently well-lit once you’re on camera – an overly dim or overly back-lit space may impact visibility.
Whilst you don’t want there to be distractions for YOU during the interview, you also don’t want to unwittingly create distractions for your interviewer. So make sure there is nothing visible or audible that will detract from you.
2. Check your Tech
Make sure your device has a high-quality camera and webcam, and your internet connection is stable. Nothing spoils an interview more than poor connectivity and patchy communications where your interviewer struggles to hear your responses or you struggle to hear the correct questions. Having to repeat answers will break the flow of the conversation.
3. Trial run
If you have been asked to attend a virtual interview on a platform you’ve not used before, it’s a good idea to do a trial run with a friend or your recruiter to make sure you know how to connect to the interview seamlessly when the time comes.
4. Prepare for technical difficulties
Have a back-up plan for potential technical difficulties. For example, have your interviewer’s contact details (email or phone) ready in case the video conferencing cuts out or becomes untenable. Ensure your mobile phone is charged, ready and on hand for you to switch to a phone interview if technical difficulties persist.
5. Dress appropriately
Many people tend to think that they don’t need to dress or present themselves as they would for a traditional in-person interview since the interviewer is only seeing them from the shoulders up. However, with video conferencing, the interviewer can actually see your face much more closely than in an in-person meeting. This is especially true if you’re interviewing in front of a panel, as your image may be displayed on a large screen in a conference room. To err on the side of caution, I would also not recommend dressing from the waist up only for the interview, as you never know when you may need to unexpectedly stand up during the interview, only to have your pyjamas on full display!
6. Time zone differences
Be mindful if your interviewer is overseas or in a different time zone, as remote interviewers may not be in the same geographical location as you. Ensure that you have the correct time zone for the designated interview time.
7. Look into the camera!
Just as how you may be advised to maintain eye contact with your interviewer in a traditional interview, the same is true for video interviews. Looking into the camera directly, instead of your own picture-in-picture window or the interviewer’s picture, is the equivalent to looking into your interviewer’s eyes during a remote interview. It’s natural to feel yourself drawn to looking at your screen but do be mindful how often or how long you do so, as it could make you come across as distracted.
8. You can use notes (sparingly)
One of the unique advantages of remote interviews is the ability to have notes readily available on your screen without your interviewers noticing. However, this can be a double-edged sword – relying on your notes too frequently might make you seem distracted or as if you’re reading from a script, which could hinder your ability to make a good impression. Instead, aim to keep your notes minimal—use them as prompts to help you recall your answers rather than as a detailed script. While it might be tempting to take notes during a remote interview, it’s best to avoid typing. The sound of a keyboard tapping can be quite disruptive to conversation and may give the impression that you are distracted.
9. Pay attention to your body language
It may seem that body language is less significant during remote interviews, but quite the opposite is true. Body language remains crucial in remote interviews and getting this right is as important in traditional formats as it is in video interviews. Even in a virtual setting, non-verbal communication like your posture, facial expressions and gestures all contribute significantly to how you are perceived. Our body language usually conveys much more than what we’re saying – if someone is sitting up straight, using open gestures and engaged in eye contact, they can give off a feeling of confidence and professionalism; whereas crossed arms, slouching or fidgeting may suggest nervousness, distraction or a lack of interest in the position. Body language is also useful in demonstrating you are actively listening to your interviewer, such as nodding or smiling in response at appropriate times, showing attentiveness to the conversation, which can build a more positive and interactive impression. Using appropriate hand gestures to punctuate your point adds dynamism to your communication style, which can not only help your interviewer feel engaged with you, but also helps to convey authenticity that can get lost during remote interviews.
By integrating these tips into your interview preparation, you will be much better prepared to navigate remote interviews and present yourself as a confident and capable candidate. Virtual interviews will continue to play a significant role in recruitment processes globally and understanding remote interview etiquette is key to enhancing your performance and achieving your career goals.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the job market or candidates in general, feel free to contact me via email (jlee@lewissanders.com) or WhatsApp (+852 6122 5272) for a confidential chat.
Top Tips for Succeeding at Remote Job Interviews
Top Tips for Succeeding at Remote Job Interviews
As the world has fully emerged from its Covid-19 restrictions and safeguards, many measures from the pandemic period have remained the new norm in the corporate world, such as work from home or remote working arrangements. Interviewing candidates remotely via video conferencing or telephone became a necessity during the pandemic and has remained commonplace amongst employers for providing a more efficient process for both interviewer and candidate.
Though you would prepare for a remote interview in much the same way as you would a traditional face to face interview – like preparing a self-introduction, preparing answers for common interview questions, etc – there are things to anticipate that are specific to remote interviews.
1. Audience
You will ideally be conducting your remote interview in a quiet, closed-off space, free of distractions where you won’t run the risk of being interrupted during your interview. With video interviews, you should pay special attention to your surrounding background that will come into view during your interview. Most video conference platforms will provide fake or blurred backgrounds now but if you’ve not applied one, do remember to do a check before your camera turns on that nothing stands out too much or looks overtly untidy or unprofessional.
Be mindful of your space being sufficiently well-lit once you’re on camera – an overly dim or overly back-lit space may impact visibility.
Whilst you don’t want there to be distractions for YOU during the interview, you also don’t want to unwittingly create distractions for your interviewer. So make sure there is nothing visible or audible that will detract from you.
2. Check your Tech
Make sure your device has a high-quality camera and webcam, and your internet connection is stable. Nothing spoils an interview more than poor connectivity and patchy communications where your interviewer struggles to hear your responses or you struggle to hear the correct questions. Having to repeat answers will break the flow of the conversation.
3. Trial run
If you have been asked to attend a virtual interview on a platform you’ve not used before, it’s a good idea to do a trial run with a friend or your recruiter to make sure you know how to connect to the interview seamlessly when the time comes.
4. Prepare for technical difficulties
Have a back-up plan for potential technical difficulties. For example, have your interviewer’s contact details (email or phone) ready in case the video conferencing cuts out or becomes untenable. Ensure your mobile phone is charged, ready and on hand for you to switch to a phone interview if technical difficulties persist.
5. Dress appropriately
Many people tend to think that they don’t need to dress or present themselves as they would for a traditional in-person interview since the interviewer is only seeing them from the shoulders up. However, with video conferencing, the interviewer can actually see your face much more closely than in an in-person meeting. This is especially true if you’re interviewing in front of a panel, as your image may be displayed on a large screen in a conference room. To err on the side of caution, I would also not recommend dressing from the waist up only for the interview, as you never know when you may need to unexpectedly stand up during the interview, only to have your pyjamas on full display!
6. Time zone differences
Be mindful if your interviewer is overseas or in a different time zone, as remote interviewers may not be in the same geographical location as you. Ensure that you have the correct time zone for the designated interview time.
7. Look into the camera!
Just as how you may be advised to maintain eye contact with your interviewer in a traditional interview, the same is true for video interviews. Looking into the camera directly, instead of your own picture-in-picture window or the interviewer’s picture, is the equivalent to looking into your interviewer’s eyes during a remote interview. It’s natural to feel yourself drawn to looking at your screen but do be mindful how often or how long you do so, as it could make you come across as distracted.
8. You can use notes (sparingly)
One of the unique advantages of remote interviews is the ability to have notes readily available on your screen without your interviewers noticing. However, this can be a double-edged sword – relying on your notes too frequently might make you seem distracted or as if you’re reading from a script, which could hinder your ability to make a good impression. Instead, aim to keep your notes minimal—use them as prompts to help you recall your answers rather than as a detailed script. While it might be tempting to take notes during a remote interview, it’s best to avoid typing. The sound of a keyboard tapping can be quite disruptive to conversation and may give the impression that you are distracted.
9. Pay attention to your body language
It may seem that body language is less significant during remote interviews, but quite the opposite is true. Body language remains crucial in remote interviews and getting this right is as important in traditional formats as it is in video interviews. Even in a virtual setting, non-verbal communication like your posture, facial expressions and gestures all contribute significantly to how you are perceived. Our body language usually conveys much more than what we’re saying – if someone is sitting up straight, using open gestures and engaged in eye contact, they can give off a feeling of confidence and professionalism; whereas crossed arms, slouching or fidgeting may suggest nervousness, distraction or a lack of interest in the position. Body language is also useful in demonstrating you are actively listening to your interviewer, such as nodding or smiling in response at appropriate times, showing attentiveness to the conversation, which can build a more positive and interactive impression. Using appropriate hand gestures to punctuate your point adds dynamism to your communication style, which can not only help your interviewer feel engaged with you, but also helps to convey authenticity that can get lost during remote interviews.
By integrating these tips into your interview preparation, you will be much better prepared to navigate remote interviews and present yourself as a confident and capable candidate. Virtual interviews will continue to play a significant role in recruitment processes globally and understanding remote interview etiquette is key to enhancing your performance and achieving your career goals.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the job market or candidates in general, feel free to contact me via email (jlee@lewissanders.com) or WhatsApp (+852 6122 5272) for a confidential chat.