How to have a successful remote job interview

As we all know the global pandemic has altered virtually every aspect of our lives including the workplace. The use of remote conferencing tools is now the norm and interviews are not an exception. In this article, I will share with you tips on how to have an effective remote interview

Test your device before the interview.

Before your interview, you must test your devices.

Do a dry run: test your microphone, camera and ensure you are familiar with the software conferencing tool for your interview.

Do not leave anything to chance. Remember, the remote interview is your chance to impress your potential employer, so you want to make the best impression.

Ask family or roommates not to use Wi-Fi during your interview.

Ensure that you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection. If you share a house/flat with family members or roommates, ask them nicely to temporarily avoid using the Wi-Fi for the duration of your interview to give the much-needed bandwidth.

Most remote interviews require the use of your camera, so you must have sufficient broadband speeds.

Pay attention to your lighting and background

Pay particular attention to your lighting and background. Remove any clutter. Avoid sitting with your back to the window, as the camera will be exposed to the light and make you into a silhouette. Instead, flip it, and face the window, which will give you soft, people-pleasing light.

Backlight can also be problematic, so I advise you to place the light next to your face. You may also want to use a virtual background or blur.

Dress professionally

Put on what you would wear for a regular interview. I advise that you use solid colours – avoid multi-coloured clothes which may appear less formal. Use minimal jewellery as this may cause a reflection or glare that could be distracting to your interviewer.

Practice your answers talk slowly

it is vital to practice your answers to common interview questions ahead of time. This would make you more confident. Practice speaking looking at the camera – in some instances, you may have to pre-record your answers. If this is the case, ensure you answer questions with clarity and the same emotion(friendliness) as you would, speaking on a call.

Another vital thing to remember - leave time and space between answers. It may feel like you’re taking more time than you should. But do speak slower so that your interviewer has time to respond.