​As we all know and heard time after time, coronavirus has changed many aspects of our lives; one of course being jobs. Whether it be hybrid working or in the office, or even changes to interview processes and landing a new role, life as we once knew it; is changing and developing.

In-person interviews are slowly regaining its popularity back, however many employers still tend to opt for a remote interview, usually in the first stage of the interview process.

Of course a remote interview means you’re going to face a few challenges that you wouldn’t necessarily face in an in-person interview.

Here are some key tips to help you in your remote interview…

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Test your technology

This is one of the first few things you want to do when preparing for your interview.

Signal and internet quality is not always guaranteed, however, make sure you have done all you can to make sure that the internet/signal quality is as good as it can be. This way the call can be clear without connectivity/signal issues. It’s always worth ahead of time, making sure your computer is on and you have loaded up the chosen operating system (Zoom/Teams/Skype), to ensure your computer doesn’t have any surprises for you with a software update you were not planning for.

Whilst testing your technology you also don’t want to leave it until the last minute to test your audio, microphone, and camera; ensure these are all picking you up clearly. This way if done in plenty of time you’ll have plenty of time to fix any issue you may come across before your interview.

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Dress for an interview

Just because it is remote doesn’t mean it’s treated any differently. That means smart professional business wear. (As tempting as dressing only the top half is, it can easily backfire!) Even if they can’t see you’re wearing pyjama bottoms – you will feel it!

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Location, Location, Location

If you don’t already have a home office, find a calm and quiet area that you are not going to be disturbed. Ensure your background is tidy and unfussy. Showing you have a dedicated area in your home will create the impression that you’re serious about the job, with hybrid working becoming increasingly popular this is the chance to prove you are a good fit for remote working.

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Focus on the camera and make eye contact

Although you are not face to face with your interviewer it’s still important you maintain eye contact throughout the duration of the interview. Obviously, it is very easy to get distracted, especially at home, however, do try to avoid this temptation as you will need 100% attention to the questions being asked. The nature of a remote interview may feel a little strange however the principles of the interview are the exact same as if it was in-person.

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Disable those notifications

Of course, we all lead busy lives and notifications are likely to come from various sources; emails, texts, WhatsApp, and social media (Facebook and Instagram) with notifications comes a whole new set of distractions that you don’t want popping up in an interview. You should remove any distractions like your phone, put it on silent so your eyes don’t divert to your screen. You want to make sure the interview goes as smoothly as possible and not have any awkward moments!

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Prepare and rehearse key questions

Make sure you are prepared for the key questions you may be asked throughout the interview and prepare various answers that will avoid any awkward pauses. It may help to read the job description/job ad and your CV just before go time. You want to make sure you display the correct knowledge about the company and position throughout the interview. This is one way to stand out during your remote interview as it shows you have taken the time to research and familiarise yourself with the company and that you want the job!

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Good luck!

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