The coronavirus pandemic is gripping countries across the globe, and only some industries are somewhat unscathed by the COVID-19 pandemic’s consequences.
This is currently having visible implications on the workforce and also on the recruitment processes.
Organizations are now coming up with innovative recruitment processes like e-joining and e-relieving.
Amid social distancing protocols and work from home policies, adoption of novel interviewing and meeting methods through Skype, telephonic and video conference calls are on the rise.
If you have received a remote job interview call recently, here are some tips to help you crack the same and escape unscathed!
Test your tech equipment
Now that you are done creating a resume and writing a cover letter, its time to prep for the next step. You have received an interview call for a remote position.
Remote job interviews are no different from in-person interviews.
Your recruiter simply wants to figure out if you are the best fit for the remote job. And of course, you want to know if this company is best for you.
To start, ensure your internet connection and video conferencing application are working fine!
Use a high-quality webcam and microphone
Just imagine how it would feel if you were not audible for the entire duration of the interview. That would be a disaster!
Low-quality microphones or webcams can fudge your remote job interview! If you don’t want a webcam or a mic to hurt your chances for the job, configure them properly in advance.
Similarly, a lousy webcam might show that you are not interested in getting hired!
Interviewers want to see and hear you clearly to ensure smooth business continuity afterwards.
Look at the right place
Once you are done with testing your equipment, test yourself.
Experiment with placement of the laptop or webcam to get the best angle.
If it is a cam it should be at the top center of your screen.
If it is a laptop with a built-in webcam, keep your laptop on your desk.
Place a few books underneath the laptop to elevate the webcam at your eye level or higher.
Dress appropriately
Dress for success. It is no less important in a remote or online interview.
Dress smartly, like you would for an in-person interview, and also ensure your surroundings are spic and span.
If you do not manage that, please choose a clean and well-lit spot for the interaction with a tidy wide-angle view at least!
Take care of the little things
Anticipate problems and try to eliminate them before they occur.
For a remote job interview, close unnecessary software on the computer. Turn off notifications.
Keep the laptop or machine or device fully charged. You can also conduct the interview while it’s plugged into a power source.
If that’s not an option, make sure you have backup batteries in case the interview stretches beyond the decided time limit.
Also, ensure that no phone calls, pets or children can interrupt your conversation.
Be prepared
Do your homework just as you would for any other face-to-face interview. Rehearse your responses to key interview questions.
Also, prepare your own questions for the interviewer.
Be personable
Make a steady eye-contact or look into the camera and not at yourself on the screen.
Smile as often as possible and engage with your interviewer cordially to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
Remove distractions
Ensure you’re fully engaged with the interviewer.
Get rid of all distractions like your smartphone, TV, radio, noise from traffic passing by etc.
Close the doors and windows of the room you are sitting in and lock them all from inside.
Notify friends and family in advance about the interview so that they do not knock unless it is an exigency.
Have your resume handy
Keep a hard copy of your resume with you. It would not be advisable to have your eyes dart back and forth between multiple screens!
Your attention should be totally on the interviewer. Else, you would keep switching between tabs. This will pave way for more technical difficulties.
A printed resume backup will come in very handy. The same thing goes for old fashioned paper and pen for note-taking.
There will be no clicking sounds or technical issues as you write.
Follow-up with your interviewer
Once the interview is done, send a follow-up mail to your HR contact or hiring manager.
Also, thank them for their time on the mail, while you ask for feedback.
Migration into video conferencing for remote jobs is not unprecedented.
There has gradually been a general upsurge in video interviews over the past few years, given the technological advancement and geographically distributed office locations.
Remote hiring was already on the rise. The coronavirus pandemic has only accelerated its adoption across companies.
This is not a new era of hiring managers or interview candidates. The processes remain the same.
An in-person interview will still happen one-on-one, only that it will take place over a virtual screening platform.
It's up to jobseekers like you to convey the best while companies screen applicants online.
All the best!
