9 Tips to Ace Your Remote Interview

Our working world is changing. We’re now conducting everything remotely, from manager-employee one-on-ones and team meetings to happy hours and even candidate interviews.

As we shift to a global virtual working culture, companies are thinking differently about their interview process. If you recently applied for a new role, you are likely scheduled for a video interview. Before you take that call, read these nine tips to help you put your best foot forward.

1. Use a reliable high-speed Wi-Fi connection.

Sitting in coffee shops and streaming video calls from your cellular data is not super reliable. Weak Wi-Fi causes choppy audio and video, which can be distracting both for you and for your interviewer. A Wi-Fi connection failure can result in rescheduled interviews and for a negative interview experience for both parties. Ideally, take your interview from home or another place with a strong Wi-Fi network, as it’s the best chance to ensure your video call goes smoothly.

2. Have a back-up plan.

Have a backup plan! In the event that your laptop dies (💀) or there are other technical issues that you can’t get away from, make sure you are able to switch to a phone interview instead. Remember to have your phone fully charged and always check your access to any services or software needed for the interview (like Zoom or Google Hangouts).

3. Find a quiet spot.

Taking your video interview from a quiet place without kids or pets will allow you to be more present and focused during your interview. That said, parents and fur-parents alike can’t always step away from their responsibilities. If this is the case, remember to let your interviewer know that there may be some background noise and perhaps an unannounced visitor.

4. Dress for success.

Leave the pajamas for bedtime. If you’re wondering what to wear, follow this one simple rule: Dress for the interview like you would dress for a typical day at work. If you aren’t sure what the typical dress code is at the company you’re applying for, ask your recruiter — they’re there to help.

5. Be present.

While interviewing, focus on your interview! Give your interviewer(s) your undivided attention, as they’ll be doing the same. If you can, shut off your phone and turn off notifications from any applications like email and Slack that could interrupt your interview.

Part of being present is being prepared (see our next point below) — so be prepared (it’s obvious to an interviewer when you aren’t), but don’t read off a script. Instead, use your notes as a prompt to recall important information you would like to share in your interview.

6. Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Remote and on-site interviews are equally important — and both can be just as nerve-wracking. Preparation will ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward and giving yourself every opportunity to impress the hiring team.

Before your interview, test out any video links, Hangouts, and/or paired programming exercises to make sure everything you need works properly. Make sure to come prepared with questions that you would like to ask the interviewer(s). During the interview, bring a notepad and pen to jot down any notes and other questions you may think of.

7. Mind your background.

Remember your interviewer(s) can see whatever is behind you. Dirty laundry? Old pizza boxes? If it’s behind you, it can probably be seen… 👀 Keep your background simple and tidy — a bookshelf, a painting, or a good old-fashioned blank wall.

8. Wear headphones.

If you aren’t wearing headphones or earbuds, interviewers can sometimes hear their voices echo in the background when they’re asking questions or responding to your answers, which can be distracting. Skip the audio mishaps and just wear headphones.

9. Gaze adoringly into your interviewer’s eyes.

Well, not really — eye contact isn’t really possible when you’re interviewing remotely, and an adoring gaze is just plain creepy in an interview setting. What to do? To give the impression that you’re making appropriate eye contact, look directly at the camera or at the interviewer’s face when answering questions. If you’re looking away from the screen at another monitor, you’ll look like you’re having a conversation with someone else.

All in all…

We know that interviewing can be an intimidating experience, but we hope that this will help you feel more prepared (and ideally excited) for your next video interview!