Show the hiring company that you’re the ideal candidate for the remote job from the moment you see and read that job ad, up to your phone and video interview! Here we’ve compiled some of the most valuable tips to help you ace your online job application and stand out among the rest:
1. Do your research about the company.
Check the company’s website and social media pages before you send your application. This will help you see if the firm matches your values or if it’s a place where you would be happy working. Recruiters are also more likely to pursue a candidate who has a special interest in their company or industry.
2. Review the job description prior to the interview.
Make sure you understand exactly what the company expects from applicants. Take the time to assess the type of person the company is looking for and what the job requires, such as the needed credentials, years of experience, or specific system requirements.
3. Be responsive.
Don’t let your application go to waste by providing a valid phone number and email address. Also, make sure the recruiter can reach you whenever they need further details regarding your application, or if there needs to be last-minute changes on the interview schedule.
4. Notify the interviewer ahead of time if you can't make it to the scheduled interview or online assessment.
If something came up and there might be a need to reschedule or cancel the interview, give the hiring manager as much notice as possible. This simple gesture will show you as someone who respects their time and is being professional.
5. Dress the part.
You might be doing the interview at home while sitting near your bed or at your kitchen table. But it’s crucial to still dress as you would for an in-person interview. Donning the right attire can put you in the correct state of mind and encourage a positive first impression. Even if the company has a casual setting (as you learned after doing your research on its culture and social media pages), it’s important to look polished and presentable. So wear the right clothes, get a haircut, and avoid wearing anything splashy or distracting. After all, the old adage that says “dress to impress” is here to stay for a reason.
6. Show up on time.
It’s important to prepare your technology ahead of time so you can avoid any technical problems later on. However, only open up the program (and link) where your video interview will take place 10 to 15 minutes before the schedule. This will give you a chance to check how you look and how you sound, and also to relax. It’s common sense to not turn up late as it will work against you, and you might even lose your chance if the interviewer decides to cancel the meeting altogether. However, being too early is also not a good idea. After all, being punctual means being on time, even during an online interview.
7. Smile and greet the interviewer.
During an in-person interview, there’s this period where you and your interviewer will shake hands, walk into the room, and sit down before finally starting the interview proper. For a video interview, it’s a totally different scenario. There might be little to no time for small talks. However, you can still make an initial connection by looking right into the camera, then do a small head nod and don’t forget to wear a smile. These gestures build up to what is called the “digital handshake”, which signals that you are ready to listen and start the meeting.
8. Always look straight at the camera and maintain good posture.
A remote job interview might be more convenient especially in this age of new normal, but it still has its own challenges. It’s pretty natural to want to look at everything that’s happening on screen, but you want to avoid doing that as much as possible. Also, resist falling into the trap of being so self-conscious that you’ll only be looking at yourself because it can be quite uncomfortable to the person you’re talking to. You want to always look straight at the camera, as it’s the closest thing you can get to maintaining actual eye contact.
By looking straight at the webcam, you’ll keep your eyes on the interviewer and project confidence while you focus on the conversation. It’s also enough to show you’re listening and are engaged with what they’re saying. If you’re having a hard time focusing, experts say simply putting a post-it note that says “Look here!” next to your camera might do the trick.
Also, don’t forget that the best way to build and communicate confidence across the screen is to sit up straight. Don’t let yourself slump down in your seat as it might make you look less engaged or simply bored.
9. Focus and listen properly.
Would you believe us when we say we’ve encountered an applicant who was trimming their fingernails during an online interview? What a huge no-no! Remember, just because your interview is happening over Skype or any other platform, it doesn’t mean it’s not a real interview. So you need to appear focused and try to make a good impression. If you’re doing something else while your interview is ongoing, you might be seen as rude. Likewise, you want to pay attention to everything the interviewer is saying so you can respond accordingly. But how can you do that if you’re, uh, busy choosing between a nail cutter or a nipper to finish trimming your nails? Yikes!
10. Let the interviewer finish speaking before jumping in.
Even in life in general, interrupting someone while they’re speaking might give them the idea that you’re invalidating them or that you have something better to say. Over video chat, jumping in with your response too soon can mute the other person’s mic and cut them off entirely, which could make you seem rude even if you didn’t intend to be. Try to wait until the person is completely done speaking before jumping in. If you’re having a hard time thinking if your interviewer is done, get in the habit of muting yourself while he or she is still speaking. The action of turning the mic back on will provide them some extra time and also give you a cue before jumping in.
11. Make a connection.
Even if the interview process is being done online, remember that you’re human and not a robot. You need to connect with the person on the other side. Best of all, you want the interviewer to be able to remember you among the long list of people that he or she interviewed that day. So don’t be afraid to laugh at jokes, enjoy a small talk about a common interest, or share a personal story that might deter you from simply blending in with other applicants. Also, acknowledge the natural challenges that come with the remote work situation, such as loud dogs or cooing roosters, and use it as a way to build rapport with your interviewer.#