We may receive compensation when you click on product links from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Preparing for a job interview can be nerve-wracking in the best of times but getting ready for a remote interview comes with some unique challenges. Instead of traveling to the office with copies of your resume in hand, you’ll be inviting your interviewers to your home via webcam. Not only do you need to look the part, but you need to prepare the space to make a good first impression.
Follow these simple tips so you can enter your remote interview with confidence.
1. Do Your Research
Certain aspects of job interview prep remain the same across the board. You’ll be expected to answer questions about yourself and your experience so your interviewers can determine whether you’re the best fit for the position. Do some research about the company and the position so you can tailor your answers accordingly. If you can find out some information about your interviewers, all the better. It also doesn’t hurt to create a cheat sheet with important information you can reference during the interview.
2. Choose the Location Wisely
Once you’ve prepared yourself for the interview it’s time to prepare your space. Whether you’re doing a phone interview or a video interview, it’s important to choose a location free from distractions. If it’s a phone interview, a quiet room in your house will do. For a video interview, your office is usually the best location. Having a space in your home dedicated to work shows your interviewers you take your job seriously. If you don’t have a home office, setting up a desk in a quiet corner of the living room or clearing space at the dining room table could work.
3. Take a Look Around
After choosing the location for your interview, turn on your webcam and view the room from your interviewer’s perspective. Check the background to make sure the room is free from clutter. Make sure your desktop is clean and organized and put away anything that isn’t necessary for the interview. Take one final sweep by sitting down in your chair and turning all the way around, checking the room from every angle. If there’s a door to your office, be sure to keep it closed.
4. Test Your Equipment
Technical difficulties are the last thing you want to deal with during a remote interview. Check your equipment ahead of time, just in case you discover a problem. Make sure your microphone is working and adjust the sound settings if needed. If you’re not confident about the quality of your webcam or microphone, it might be worth making an upgrade. Poor sound or video quality can impede the interview process and may give the impression that you’re not serious about the job. Don’t forget to test the lighting as well! You want your interviewers to be able to see you clearly.
Land your dream job from home! Discover key strategies for acing remote interviews in our latest article. Master the art of virtual impression and communication for your next big opportunity. #RemoteInterview #CareerGrowth #InterviewSuccessClick To Tweet5. Dress for the Job
A remote interview may seem less formal than an in-person interview, but it’s still your only chance to make a first impression and your appearance matters. Choose a professional outfit and make sure it is clean and pressed. It may be tempting to wear pajama pants with your dress shirt, but you’re better off going with the full outfit just in case you have to get up during the interview.
6. Be Ready on Time
Though you don’t have to worry about planning for traffic on your way to the interview, you still need to make sure you’re ready ahead of time. Make sure your webcam and microphone are set up and you’re seated at your desk to receive the call. Take the last few minutes to review your cheat sheet and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself.
7. Know Where to Look
Most in-person interviews start with a handshake, but you won’t have that opportunity in a remote interview. Introduce yourself and greet your interviewers by name, being sure to look directly into your webcam to create the illusion of eye contact. It’s easy to be distracted by everything on the screen, so you might want to place a sticky note just under your webcam to remind you where to focus your attention. Don’t worry – your interviewers won’t be able to see it.
8. Be Clear and Confident
Just because you’re not in the room with your interviewers doesn’t mean they won’t get a sense of who you are. Body language matters just as much in a video interview as it does in person and you need to be intentional about communicating clearly. Be confident with your responses and take any opportunity you get to show that you understand the company and the position. Be respectful of your interviewers’ time and thank them for the opportunity after the interview is complete.
A remote interview requires a little more physical preparation than an in-person interview, but the actual interview process is much the same. Taking the time to prepare your space and dressing the part will help you make a good first impression. From there, it’s all about your
Be calm, clear, and confident about your interest in the job, and do your best to show your interviewers why you’re the best fit for the position.
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
