We’re a solid 8 months into what has now been described as the “new normal”, and we’re all getting used to it. A lot has changed since the outbreak of COVID-19, especially the way in which we all work. The vast majority of people have been asked, where possible, to work from home. This means that people interviewing for jobs are also doing so remotely. No doubt, this can be a rather unsettling experience, but it doesn’t have to be.
We’ve put together a list of pointers that will help you to prepare for your remote interview.
Good luck, you will be fantastic!
Prepare as normal
At the end of the day, you need to treat this interview as you would any other job interview. Prepare in the same way you would if you were to be interviewed. Do your research, and learn about the company that you are applying for a job. Check out the company background, major news and the person with whom you will be interviewing.
Tidy your space
The last thing you need is to appear unprofessional when setting up for a remote interview. Make sure the space you choose to use is tidy and free of clutter. Keep your background businesslike, clean and preferably neutral if possible. If your desk will be showing, organize the top neatly and get rid of any clutter. Not only will it be more professional, but you won’t be easily distracted by things in the space. A win, win.
Dress for the occasion
Listen, we’re all working from home in our “comfortable clothes” at the moment, but interviews are the exception. Dress appropriately for your interview. The point is to blend in with the culture of the company, but use caution to neither underdress nor overdress. Stay away from clothing with logos and splashy patterns because it can be distracting, and the hiring manager will want to concentrate on what you have to say and whether you are a good fit for the company and job.
Tech yourself
Make sure you have a solid internet connection for your interview. Do a test run if possible, where you can ensure your camera, your microphone and your wifi are all working well. But don’t fret too much if technical difficulties occur during the interview – these are sometimes unavoidable. Keep your cool!
Timing is key
When planning a remote interview, don’t assume anyone is in the same time zone as you. Mention your time zone using the correct terminology, and throw in the correct difference from UTC, GMT, or your counterpart’s time zone. Don’t be afraid to look up these details to make sure you get them right. Keep in mind that daylight saving time affects some locations but not others.
Image credits: Pormezz/Shutterstock
By Rebecca O’Keeffe, Content Creator, Jobbio.
And if you are looking for exciting new roles, be sure to head over to Silicon Canals Jobs now, where there are loads of brilliant remote opportunities available.
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