Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook
    Career Experts
    • Home
    • Job Searching
      1. Job Searching Tips
      2. Job Application Tips
      3. Best Interview Tips
      Featured
      13th April 20220

      What You Should Wear to an Interview

      Recent
      13th April 2022

      What You Should Wear to an Interview

      3rd March 2022

      Why Learning About ISO 27001 Could Enhance Your CV In 2022

      21st February 2022

      5 Top Tips for Locum Vet Job Interviews

    • Career Progression
      1. Work Skills
      2. Work Motivation
      3. Changing Jobs
      4. Salary Information
      5. Balancing Work and Life
      Featured
      12th May 20220

      How to Create Content That Engages a Larger Audience

      Recent
      12th May 2022

      How to Create Content That Engages a Larger Audience

      11th May 2022

      Changing Your Career During a Divorce: Pros and Cons

      9th May 2022

      Is Selling Your Home in 2022 the Right Move?

    • Management and Leadership
      1. Best Leadership Skills
      2. Managing People at Work
      3. Industry Trends
      Featured
      9th May 20220

      Why Is Outsourcing HR Functions a Good Idea?

      Recent
      9th May 2022

      Why Is Outsourcing HR Functions a Good Idea?

      9th May 2022

      5 Essential Strategies to Avoid Making Bad Hires

      5th May 2022

      5 Tips To Improve Your Career In MSP

    • Graduate Careers
      1. Choosing Your Career
      2. Find a Job
      3. Graduate Salaries
      Featured
      5th May 20220

      The Benefits of Starting a Career in London

      Recent
      5th May 2022

      The Benefits of Starting a Career in London

      3rd May 2022

      5 Career Ideas for People Who Love Cars

      26th April 2022

      What Are The Benefits of a Career in Teaching?

    • Post CV
    Career Experts
    You are at:Home»Management and Leadership»Managing People at Work»Remote and Online Hiring Tips and Advice
    Remote and Online Hiring Tips and Advice

    Remote and Online Hiring Tips and Advice

    0
    By CareerExperts on 5th October 2021 Management and Leadership, Managing People at Work

    The Covid-19 pandemic has forced governments across the world to introduce a series of restrictive measures, such as social distancing. When it comes to recruitment, this has had the effect of prompting employers to opt for online interviews rather than face-to-face meetings. In fact, in all likelihood, remote interviews between prospective employers and job candidates will remain the preferred method for years to come.

    What is an online interview?

    Although an online interview is quite similar to a face-to-face meeting, you will be utilising technology such as a video conferencing app or a smartphone. Nevertheless, if you have been invited to participate in this type of interview, you will need to make some adjustments as the technology can limit your ability to decipher the interviewer’s:

    • Body language
    • Facial expressions
    • Hand gestures

    Video interview preparation tips

    First of all, you need to determine what type of video interview you will be having with your potential employer. Make sure you:

    • Make a note of the critical dates and times
    • Recheck the contact details before sending any recordings
    • Answer any practice questions they send; this will enable you to familiarise yourself with the employer’s format and their expectations
    • Learn about the employer’s organisation and the job requirements
    • Visit the company’s website to understand its corporate culture and values
    • Read and follow any guidance and instructions issued by the recruiter
    • Prepare some questions of your own

    Test your device set-up

    In order to successfully plan for a remote meeting, you will need:

    • A computer equipped with a camera, microphone and speakers
    • A video communications program such as Zoom
    • A fast and reliable internet connection

    It is imperative that you test your devices to make sure they are working properly before the scheduled meeting. Check the following:

    • Your computer should be fully functioning and it should meet all the requisite technical specifications
    • You should have already downloaded the software you will need for the interview
    • Ensure your internet is reliable and strong enough for video streaming

    At least 15–30 minutes before the interview, conduct a final check of your internet connection. Then, sign in to the video link provided, turn on the sound and video, and ensure everything is working as it should. If you notice any technical problems, you need to inform the interviewer immediately. It would be much better to restart or reschedule the meeting than jeopardise your chances of being successful.

    Dress professionally

    You should dress as if you are attending a face-to-face meeting. It is vital that you appear professional and confident. If no criteria have been issued, it’s probably best to wear casual business clothes. Furthermore, even if you are just sat at home, make sure you present a background that resembles an office environment.

    Conduct some research and prepare diligently

    With online recruitment, you can boost your chances of success by conducting some research into your potential employer. This will enable you to prepare some suitable answers to possible questions the interviewers may ask. However, having a list of possible answers won’t suffice; you will need to converse in a natural way and not simply offer rehearsed responses.

    Occasionally, companies will send a list of questions before the interview to give you some time to prepare your answers. Often, however, you will have no prior knowledge, in which case you will need to treat the remote meeting as if it was face-to-face. Here are the steps you need to take:

    • Search for commonly asked interview questions and prepare suitable answers
    • Conduct some research into your potential employer and their organisation
    • Review the job description and check to see if it matches your qualifications, skills and experience
    • Compile a list of your relevant achievements and experiences

    Act professionally

    Interviews conducted online or over the phone can hamper your ability to communicate through body language. Nevertheless, if possible, try to use your body language to project a professional image.

    If the interviewer throws you an unexpected question, stay calm, take a few moments to gather your thoughts and then respond in a measured way.

    During the interview, make sure you:

    • Speak clearly and don’t talk too fast
    • Pause at the end of each question (there can be a slight delay in online conversations)
    • Smile and look interested
    • Maintain good eye contact by looking at the camera instead of the screen

    You should position the camera so it will show your face in the middle of the screen. In normal circumstances, you would begin and end the meeting with a handshake. As it’s an online interview, you can use other body language as a greeting, such as:

    • A smile
    • A confident wave with eye contact

    Eliminate potential distractions

    As you will be participating in the online interview from home, try to find a quiet space with as few distractions as possible. Choose a room that is professional-looking and clean. This will help you direct the interviewer’s attention to you and not your surroundings. If you have no dedicated office space, consider the following locations:

    • Bedroom
    • Kitchen table
    • Cleared-out wardrobe space

    If you usually share the space with other people, remember to politely inform them about the:

    • Time of your interview
    • The area you intend to use

    Also, respectfully remind them that you would like to limit any distractions. If you have any pets, it’s probably best to put them in another room for the duration of the meeting.

    Be sincere and establish a rapport

    As you will be in your home environment, virtual interviews allow you to speak in a relaxed manner. Accordingly, you can highlight:

    • Who you are
    • Why you are the most suitable candidate for the job

    Remember, the interviewers will be evaluating:

    • The way you express yourself
    • Whether you would be the ideal employee

    You can enhance your chances by using personal tools such as:

    • Body language
    • Facial expressions

    It is essential that you demonstrate the self-confidence and personality required by the job.

    You will also need to establish a rapport with your interviewers; if you build a personal connection, this can help you distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Even if you are communicating virtually, there are ways to connect with your interviewers. For example, you can talk about specific topics, such as:

    • Common interests
    • The interviewer’s experience of virtual interviews
    • Any neutral topic that can help you gain an insight into your interviewer

    Don’t forget to follow up

    You can send a follow-up email the day after the interview. Make sure you:

    • Thank them for their time
    • Inform them that you are available for any supplementary questions

    If you don’t have the interviewer’s email address, you can request it from the company’s HR representative or the hiring manager.

    Tips for pre-recorded interviews

    With this format, you have the advantage of being able to record your answers. As you watch the video, you will have time to answer the questions that appear on the screen.

    Since you won’t actually be talking to an interviewer, you won’t be able to observe any visual clues. Instead, you should act as if you are addressing an actual person.

    To prepare yourself, face a mirror or ask a friend to act as the interviewer and then practise answering potential questions. You can change or refine your answers before sending the recorded responses.

    Conclusion 

    Online interviews are fast becoming the norm, primarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, remote meetings are not the same as talking to someone face-to-face. As they are conducted virtually, there are no physical interactions. Despite this, you will still need to do your homework and learn as much as you can about the employer and the job. You will also need to ensure that your computer hardware and internet connection are working correctly. Online meetings have their advantages, such as being able to chat from the relaxed surroundings of your home. Although the way you can use your body language will be limited, you can still convey visual cues to show that you are enthusiastic about the job.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Why Is Outsourcing HR Functions a Good Idea?

    5 Essential Strategies to Avoid Making Bad Hires

    5 Tips To Improve Your Career In MSP

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Recent Posts
    • How to Create Content That Engages a Larger Audience
    • Changing Your Career During a Divorce: Pros and Cons
    • Is Selling Your Home in 2022 the Right Move?
    • Why Is Outsourcing HR Functions a Good Idea?
    • How To Resume Your Work Quickly After a Severe Injury?
    • Popular
    • Recent
    24th February 2016

    The Best UK Job Sites 2016

    5th December 2015

    How to Survive Your Office Christmas Party

    27th September 2016

    The Top 10 Job Sites in the UK Revealed

    12th May 2022

    How to Create Content That Engages a Larger Audience

    11th May 2022

    Changing Your Career During a Divorce: Pros and Cons

    9th May 2022

    Is Selling Your Home in 2022 the Right Move?

    About

    CareerExperts exists to propel and support professionals on their path for career success.

    We use our wealth of expertise and experience to help other success-seekers achieve their career goals.

    Newsletter

    Popular Posts
    24th February 2016

    The Best UK Job Sites 2016

    5th December 2015

    How to Survive Your Office Christmas Party

    27th September 2016

    The Top 10 Job Sites in the UK Revealed

    Copyright © 2017 CareerExperts
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.