Tips for Preparing for Your Remote Job Interview

Tips for Preparing for Your Remote Job Interview Tips for Preparing for Your Remote Job Interview 4You built a solid resume and wrote a meaningful cover letter, and now the recruiter for the remote job of your dreams wants to interview you for that position. This is your chance, at last, to enjoy all of the benefits of working from home while doing something you love. A lot is riding on your upcoming conversation. But no pressure, right? Actually, you should feel relaxed as you approach this discussion. By preparing well and following the suggestions below, you can nail the interview and, hopefully, land the job. Here are some tips to prepare you for a remote job interview: Prepare your interview environment. If youre trying to get a remote job, theres a good chance your conversation will be a  video interview. Make sure youre ready for that by finding out what software youll use for the meeting, then downloading and testing it. Also prepare the area from which youll be participating in the interview. The interviewer will look for cues that show you have a designated workspace free from clutter and distraction, so make sure your spot is ready. Look professional. This goes for both the setting and your personal appearance. An Inc. article suggests that you turn on your webcam prior to the video call to make sure nothing within view is in motion or otherwise distracting. Take time to choose the right clothing, too. Dress professionally, of course, the article says. But also be aware of any fabric or jewelry that might rub on your microphone and create a noisy mess. Think about questions and answers. Complete some basic research on the company and the position. Try to anticipate what interview questions you may be asked, and jot down notes regarding points you want to make while answering. Also take the time to prepare meaningful questions to ask regarding the job, the companys remote work policies, and the corporate culture. Take care of the little things. A thousand things can go wrong when youre participating in a video interview. Do your best to anticipate those potential problems and eliminate them before they occur. This may include closing all unnecessary software on the computer youre using for the call, turning off notifications, ensuring your machine is fully charged, and making sure pets and children are not going to interrupt your conversation. Place the video meeting window at the top of your screen, as close to your computers camera as possible, the Inc. article adds. Your eyeballs will then be pointed in the vicinity of your camera, giving the impression that you are looking at the person you are talking to. Prepare to explain your motivations. If youve primarily worked in an office during your career, the hiring manager may wonder why youre trying to go remote. It’s easy for hiring managers to assume the worst when they don’t understand what draws you to a remote job, says a previous post on the blog. Instead of avoiding the elephant in the room like many do, you should tackle it head-on. Maybe it’s because you want to be able to drop off and pick up your kids from school, or perhaps it’s because you’re the type of person who produces your best work when free from office distractions. These are both good reasons that your hiring manager will be able to relate to and sympathize with. Make sure youre rested, ready, and on time. Its natural to be nervous before any job interview, but do everything you can to make sure youre rested and relaxed before you take the call. (Pro tip: following the other suggestions mentioned here should boost your confidence, which will ease anxiety and help in this regard.) Fifteen minutes before the interview, test all of your equipment again and make sure both you and your environment are ready. Then be sure to make or take the call at the scheduled time. When youre interviewing for a position that will require you to be self-directed, little things like punctuality really matter. Show enthusiasm, but not arrogance. Once the interview begins, show clearly that you are energetic, focused, and excited about the job. Prepare accordingly. Emphasize your qualifications without being boastful, according to an article from The Job Network. Talk about what you accomplished for your previous employer, but be cautious about bragging, the article says. Mention how your expertise benefitted the company, such as talking about how your sales contributed to the company’s earnings, not about how you are the best salesperson in the business. Following these tips should help you ace the interview and, hopefully, get that perfect remote job. Doing so will also help you demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge you need to be an outstanding virtual worker. Remember to take the time to manage both the details and the big picture, and youll set yourself up for the best possible outcome.