• A remote interview is conducted via the internet
  • Be prepared and do your research ahead of time
  • Make sure you have dressed appropriately
  • Ensure everything works before joining a video interview

For a more in-depth look on this topic, read our article!

What does a remote interview mean?

So what does a remote interview mean? A remote or online interview is like an in-person interview, except the interviewer and candidate are in different places. Either the interviewer is at the office or perhaps works from home. The candidate could be at home or at a work space – whatever is convenient. The interviewer calls you on your phone or video conferencing software and asks questions while you respond as you would normally.

In some cases, companies use remote interviews because they need to screen candidates who live far away from their offices. Remote interviews also save money on travel costs (which can be quite significant).

Remote Interview

What do you need for an online interview?

  • Webcam
  • Headphones (if possible).
  • An internet connection (fast is better always good to do a speed test).
  • Find a quiet place where you can close off from other distractions so you can stay focused on the call.

What to wear for an interview over Zoom:

Remote Interview guidelines, wear semi smart clothes

When it comes to dressing for a Zoom interview, there are two important things you should keep in mind:

  • Dress professionally, but don’t overdo it. Your outfit should be clean, neat and job appropriate. Avoid dressing too casually: ensure your clothes aren’t ripped or stained. Remember that the purpose of this meeting is to get hired, you want your potential boss to see you as someone who takes their work seriously and knows how to dress appropriately.
  • The funny thing about an online/Zoom interview is that they only see what you are wearing from the waist up since you are not physically face to face, in the same room. Wear what makes sense for where your Zoom call will take place. Whether it’s jeans and a t-shirt or tailored trousers paired with a button-down shirt, take it and go from there!

Prepare for a remote interview:

Remember, this is like any other normal interview and it is important to be prepared. Do your research leading up to your remote interview. Don’t just brush it off and wing it.

Here are some tips for getting prepared:

  • Know the Company

Make sure you know about the company before your interview by researching their website, reviewing job postings and reading news articles about them. This will help you feel more confident in answering questions about what they do and what makes them special as an employer.

  • Do Your Research on Yourself

Research yourself! Be ready to summarise your hobbies and skills, identify your most proud ones and which ones make you nervous or uncomfortable. Being able to articulate these things will show that you are prepared for both the job opportunity and yourself as an individual.

  • Be Ready to ask Questions

An interview is not one-sided. While the interviewer asks the candidate questions – the candidates needs to ask the prospective employer some questions too! This shows the interviewer that you have a genuine interest in their company and what they do.

How to do well in an online interview

Some tips to help you:

  • Ask the interviewer for clarification if you’re confused or don’t understand the question
  • Look at the camera
  • Speak in a confident tone
  • Have a neutral background so there are no distractions
  • Have your questions written down beforehand

How long is a remote interview?

The average remote interview is 30 minutes. That’s the time between when you first speak and when you end the session or shut down your screen, so make sure that you take into account any setup or wrapping up time.

Factor a few minutes for each party to get on Zoom. Another minute for them to connect their video and audio. A couple more minutes as they take their seats and make sure everything is working properly (there should always be a few seconds after clicking “record” before moving forward with an interview). Then another two minutes to go through everyone’s introductions.

This is just an example, this depends on how many people are involved in a particular conversation.

How to ace a Zoom interview?

To ace a Zoom interview, there are a few things you should know. First, let’s talk about how to answer the “tell me about yourself” question. You should be able to give a concise and engaging answer that paints a clear picture of who you are, why you’re interested in this job and how it fits within your career goals.

If this feels difficult or stressful, remember: The person on the other end of the camera has had hundreds of interviews where they heard similar answers over and over again—they want something fresh!

Some tips for answering this question:

  • Focus on what makes YOU special by highlighting experiences or skills that illustrate what sets you apart from other candidates. For example: Why did YOU choose accounting as your major?
  • Keep it short – 1-2 minutes is ideal; 3-4 minutes tops!

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you to prepare for your next remote interview. We know that it can be a little bit scary, but if you follow these tips and do your research on the company, then you should ace your next interview!