Lesson 12: Get a Second Round Interview — Remote Job Course
Interviews with hiring managers at remote companies are similar to those with hiring managers at traditional companies. The main difference is that interviews usually take place via video conference instead of in an office.
If you have completed every lesson before this in the course and have been applying to remote jobs on a daily basis, you should start receiving interview leads soon. Compared to getting a second-round interview, getting initial interview calls scheduled is easy. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of making it to the second round.
Depending on the size of the company, you’ll either speak with the hiring manager (e.g. director of marketing) or a recruiter (i.e. someone in HR) during your first interview. Below are guidelines for what to say depending on who the interview is with to increase your chances of getting a second round interview.
Important: Regardless of who you’re interviewing with, be yourself. You don’t need to dress up special. You don’t need to talk special.
When interviewing with a recruiter
To increase your chances of getting a second round interview when your first interview is with a recruiter, do the following:
- Spend 10 minutes reading the content on the company’s website.
- Create a Google Doc with any high-level questions you have about the company based on your brief research.
- When asked about accomplishments and successful projects, simply elaborate on what’s already mentioned in your resume and standard cover letter. Don’t get fancy.
- Ask about next steps in the interview process.
- Say you are interested in moving forward if you are.
When interviewing with a hiring manager
To increase your chances of getting a second round interview when your first interview is with a hiring manager, do the following:
- Spend 30 minutes reading the content on the company’s website.
- Check out the hiring manager on LinkedIn.
- If there is a free version of the company’s product, create an account and briefly discover it.
- Create a Google Doc with any questions you have about the company, the product, the team structure, or the role.
- When asked about accomplishments and successful projects, simply elaborate on what’s already mentioned in your resume and standard cover letter. Don’t get fancy.
- Ask about next steps in the interview process.
- Say you are interested in moving forward if you are.
- Consider proposing a test project.
Action Step: Continue applying to remote jobs until you get a handful of interviews. Use the tactics outlined above to get second round interviews.
You’re getting close. Keep going. Not many people make it this far!
Action Step: Come back here when you get an offer letter and let everyone know in the comments.
