How to Ace a Remote Job Interview: Tips and Best Practices

If you are looking for a remote job, you may have to go through a remote job interview. This is a process where you communicate with your potential employer or recruiter via online tools, such as phone, email, chat, or video conferencing. A remote job interview can be different from a traditional job interview, as it may involve different challenges, expectations, and opportunities. In this article, we will share some tips and best practices on how to ace a remote job interview and land your dream remote job.

Prepare for the remote job interview

Before the remote job interview, you should do some preparation to make a good impression and show your interest and suitability for the role. Here are some things you should do:

• Research the company and the role. Learn as much as you can about the company’s mission, vision, values, culture, and goals. Also, review the job description and requirements, and think of how your skills, experience, and achievements match them. You can use the company’s website, social media, blog, or online reviews to gather information. You can also use online job boards, platforms, or websites that specialize in remote jobs, such as FlexJobs, Upwork, Indeed, or Remote.co, to find more details about the role and the company.
• Prepare your questions. A remote job interview is not only a chance for the employer to evaluate you, but also for you to evaluate the employer. You should prepare some questions to ask the interviewer, to show your interest, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the role and the company. You can ask questions about the company’s culture, values, goals, expectations, challenges, or opportunities. You can also ask questions about the remote work arrangements, such as the communication tools, the work schedule, the feedback system, or the benefits and perks.
• Test your technology. A remote job interview relies heavily on technology, so you should make sure that your devices, software, and internet connection are working properly. You should test your microphone, speakers, camera, and internet speed before the interview, and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. You should also familiarize yourself with the tools or platforms that will be used for the interview, such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, and make sure that you have the latest versions installed. You should also check your email, phone, or chat for any instructions, confirmations, or reminders from the interviewer.

Dress for the remote job interview

Even though you are not meeting the interviewer in person, you should still dress professionally and appropriately for the remote job interview. This will show your respect, seriousness, and confidence for the role and the company. Here are some tips on how to dress for the remote job interview:

• Choose a simple, clean, and comfortable outfit. Avoid wearing anything too flashy, revealing, or casual, such as bright colors, patterns, logos, slogans, or accessories. You should also avoid wearing anything that can make noise, such as jewelry, watches, or bracelets, as they can distract or annoy the interviewer. You should also avoid wearing anything that can cause discomfort, such as tight, itchy, or wrinkled clothes, as they can affect your posture, expression, or mood.
• Dress for the role and the company. You should also consider the role and the company that you are applying for, and dress accordingly. For example, if you are applying for a creative or casual role or company, you can wear something more relaxed or colorful, but still professional and neat. If you are applying for a formal or conservative role or company, you can wear something more classic or elegant, such as a suit, a blouse, or a dress.
• Dress from head to toe. Even though the interviewer may only see your upper body, you should still dress from head to toe, as if you were going to a face-to-face interview. This will help you feel more prepared, confident, and professional, and avoid any awkward or embarrassing situations, such as having to stand up or move during the interview. You should also wear appropriate shoes, socks, or stockings, and avoid wearing anything too casual, such as slippers, sandals, or sneakers.

Set up your environment for the remote job interview

Another important aspect of a remote job interview is your environment, or the place where you will conduct the interview. You should choose a quiet, comfortable, and professional-looking space, where you can focus and communicate effectively with the interviewer. Here are some tips on how to set up your environment for the remote job interview:

• Choose a suitable location. You should choose a location that is free from noise, distractions, or interruptions, such as a home office, a bedroom, or a living room. You should avoid locations that are too busy, noisy, or public, such as a kitchen, a bathroom, or a coffee shop. You should also inform your family, roommates, or pets that you will be having an interview, and ask them to respect your privacy and silence. You should also turn off or mute any devices, notifications, or alarms that can disrupt or distract you during the interview.
• Choose a suitable background. You should also choose a background that is simple, clean, and professional-looking, such as a plain wall, a bookshelf, or a painting. You should avoid backgrounds that are too cluttered, messy, or personal, such as a bed, a closet, or a laundry basket. You should also avoid backgrounds that are too bright, dark, or colorful, as they can affect the quality or visibility of your video. You should also remove or hide any items that can reveal sensitive or inappropriate information, such as documents, photos, or posters.
• Choose a suitable lighting. You should also choose a lighting that is natural, bright, and flattering, such as a window, a lamp, or a ring light. You should avoid lighting that is too harsh, dim, or shadowy, as they can affect the quality or clarity of your video. You should also avoid lighting that is too direct, indirect, or behind you, as they can affect the contrast or exposure of your video. You should also adjust your camera angle, position, or settings, to make sure that your face is well-lit and visible.

Behave during the remote job interview

During the remote job interview, you should behave professionally and politely, and show your interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company. You should also communicate clearly and effectively, and demonstrate your skills and qualifications for the role. Here are some tips on how to behave during the remote job interview:

• Be punctual. You should be ready and available at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the interview, and check your email, phone, or chat for any updates, changes, or delays from the interviewer. You should also join the call or the meeting on time, and greet the interviewer with a smile and a friendly hello. You should also apologize and explain if you are late or have any technical issues, and ask for a reschedule if necessary.
• Be attentive. You should be attentive and focused during the interview, and listen carefully and actively to the interviewer’s questions, comments, or feedback. You should also maintain eye contact with the interviewer, by looking at the camera and not at the screen. You should also nod, smile, or gesture occasionally, to show your interest and engagement. You should also avoid any distractions or interruptions, such as checking your phone, email, or chat, or looking around or away from the interviewer.
• Be confident. You should be confident and positive during the interview, and answer the interviewer’s questions with clarity and honesty. You should also use examples, stories, or data, to support your answers and showcase your skills, experience, and achievements. You should also highlight your fit and value for the role and the company, and show your enthusiasm and passion for the work. You should also avoid any negative or self-deprecating remarks, such as apologizing, hesitating, or criticizing yourself or others.
• Be courteous. You should be courteous and respectful during the interview, and use a polite and professional tone and language. You should also address the interviewer by their name and title, and thank them for their time and opportunity. You should also ask for clarification or repetition if you don’t understand or hear something, and avoid interrupting or talking over the interviewer. You should also avoid any slang, jargon, or acronyms, that the interviewer may not be familiar with.

Follow up after the remote job interview

After the remote job interview, you should follow up with the interviewer, to express your appreciation and interest, and to reinforce your candidacy for the role. You should also ask for feedback or updates, and address any questions or concerns that the interviewer may have. Here are some tips on how to follow up after the remote job interview:

• Send a thank-you email. You should send a thank-you email to the interviewer within 24 hours after the interview, and thank them again for their time and consideration. You should also restate your interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company, and summarize your main qualifications and strengths. You should also mention any specific details or highlights from the interview, and add any additional information or documents that the interviewer may have requested or that you may have forgotten to mention.
• Send a follow-up email. You should send a follow-up email to the interviewer after a week or two, if you haven’t heard back from them, and politely inquire about the status of your application. You should also reiterate your interest and availability for the role and the company, and offer to provide any further information or assistance that the interviewer may need. You should also keep your email brief, friendly, and professional, and avoid being pushy, impatient, or desperate.
• Send a thank-you note. You can also send a thank-you note to the interviewer by mail, if you have their physical address. This can be a nice gesture to show your appreciation and stand out from other candidates. You can write a short and personalized note, expressing your gratitude and interest, and highlighting your main qualifications and fit for the role and the company.