The current state of the world has changed the way people work and communicate. As a result, virtual interviews have become a common practice.
While virtual interviews can be convenient, they can also be nerve-wracking.
After all, it’s hard to make a great first impression through a computer screen.
If you’re an aspiring remote worker and have a virtual interview coming up, don’t fret!
We’ve put together some helpful tips to help you nail your virtual interview and land your dream remote job.
- How to nail your virtual interview
- #1 – Test your tech and internet connection
- #2 – Dress to impress
- #3 – Pay attention to your body language
- #4 – Familiarize yourself with the company
- #5 – Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview
- #6 – Have a clear and distraction-free background
- #7 – Follow up with a thank-you note
- Summary
How to nail your virtual interview
Most advice to land your dream remote job is common sense.
However, common sense is not necessarily common practice so this can definitely put you ahead of your competition.
In this article, you will learn about 7 tips to nail your virtual interview and impress your interviewer.
Let’s get to it!
#1 – Test your tech and internet connection
Before the interview, it’s important to make sure that your tech and internet connection are working fine.
Do a test run with a friend or family member to ensure that your camera and microphone are working properly.
Check your Wi-Fi connection and make sure it’s strong and stable.
The last thing you want is for your interview to be disrupted by technical difficulties.
Remember, the interview conditions will likely be your remote working conditions so make sure to show you have the proper setup to be productive from home.
#2 – Dress to impress
Just because it’s a virtual interview doesn’t mean you can show up in your pajamas.
Dress professionally, as you would for an in-person interview.
Not only does this show respect to the interviewer, but it also helps you get into the right mindset for the interview.
#3 – Pay attention to your body language
Body language is just as important in a virtual interview as it is in an in-person interview.
Sit up straight, make eye contact, and avoid fidgeting.
Be aware of your facial expressions and gestures, as they can convey a lot about you.
#4 – Familiarize yourself with the company
Did you know that 47% of interviewers said that they wouldn’t give the job to a candidate if they had little knowledge of the company?
Before the interview, do your research on the company.
Look up their website, social media pages, and any recent news articles.
This will help you understand the company’s culture and values, which can come in handy during the interview.
It also shows the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the company.
#5 – Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview
Remember, an interview is here to ensure you are a good fit for the company and vice versa!
Take this opportunity to also interview your interviewer by asking questions that both show interest in the company and help you figure out if it is a good fit for you!
#6 – Have a clear and distraction-free background
Your background can say a lot about you, so make sure it’s clean and clutter-free.
Choose a neutral background, such as a plain wall, and avoid having anything distracting in it.
If this isn’t an option, make sure to use a virtual background or blur it out so you stay in focus.
#7 – Follow up with a thank-you note
After the interview, be sure to send a thank-you note to the interviewer.
This shows gratitude and leaves a lasting impression.
It’s also a perfect opportunity to reiterate your interest in the job.
Summary
Virtual interviews can be challenging, but with some preparation and practice, you can nail your virtual interview and land your dream remote job.
By testing your technology, dressing professionally, paying attention to your body language, familiarizing yourself with the company, preparing interesting questions to ask, having a clear background, and following up with a thank-you note, you’ll impress your interviewer and stand out from the competition.
Good luck!
About the author
Karim Bel Hadj
As his name suggests, Karim is the founder of Creme de la Karim. He fell in love with remote working since he left his first corporate job and never looked back! And because something you love is almost always better shared, he is on a mission to help all remote workers and digital nomads make the most of this amazing lifestyle. You can reach out to him via Twitter @cremedelakarim