You submitted a killer application and snagged an interview for an exciting new job. You’re excited to have your first conversation over Zoom, but you may feel a little intimidated about presenting yourself well in a virtual interview.
Remote interviews have become the norm, even in situations where the job itself is on-site or hybrid. Many employers and hiring managers prefer to conduct first interviews virtually to save time and hassle. If you are applying for fully remote roles, you need to be able to communicate effectively during a remote interview to demonstrate that you can work effectively with your remote team members in the same context.
It’s more important than ever to know how to ace a remote interview. Remote’s internal recruitment team has prepared six practical tips for a job interview to give you the best odds of landing your dream remote job.
1. Practice using the tech the interviewer uses
While many aspects of the interview process are the same, whether in-person or virtual, there are aspects unique to remote interviews that might trip you up.
Anastasia Pshegodskaya, senior recruiting manager at Remote, explains why remote interviewing can be more stressful for candidates and cause them to falter:
“When interviewing over Zoom, you’re not only worried about your responses to the questions but potentially instability when it comes to technology. You need to connect on time, you might be worried that your internet bandwidth won’t be enough, and sometimes you may need to use tools that you may not have used before.”
To tackle this anxiety, get comfortable with all the tools you’ll need for the interview ahead of time. Scott Entwistle, a recruiter at Remote, suggests you work through a dry run at least ten minutes before your call to make sure you have time to sort through any tech hiccups:
“I always recommend doing a test before an interview. Video platforms like Zoom, Whereby, Teams, and Google Meet all have their quirks, so the best way to test them is to invite a friend (or even yourself on a different device) to make sure you can successfully join a meeting. Don’t just check your connection. Make sure that your camera and microphone work to avoid further stress on call.”
Your interviewer might ask you to use other tools, like virtual whiteboards for an assignment or sharing a presentation you’ve prepared for the role. Read the interview instructions carefully and ask questions if needed so you can practice and be ready for whatever is required technically.
If you’re concerned about your internet connection, do a trial video call with a friend or family member in the exact room where you’ll be taking the interview (you can even do a practice interview with them!). Another option is seeking out quiet public places with good Wi-Fi, like a library, cafe, or hotel lobby.
Remember, there’s still a chance you could run into a problem during the interview. But with proper preparation, you’ll feel much more confident and assured at the moment.
If you run into issues on the day of the interview, offer to continue with your video off. This saves bandwidth and makes it easier for your device and internet connection to handle the interview. If the tech just won’t cooperate, ask to reschedule the interview for a different time.
No matter what, stay calm and composed — remember, you’ll need to manage these types of instances on a semi-regular basis in a fully remote role anyway.
2. Present yourself well through your attire and background
Before your interview, put some thought into your attire and setting. It might feel a bit ridiculous to show up to a Zoom interview from your living room in a suit jacket, but it’s important to convey professionalism through your choice of clothing and setup.
A button-up shirt can send a message that you mean business. A top with an interesting print might help to convey your creativity or dynamism. A tidy knit pullover or a nice cotton shirt will demonstrate that you’ve considered your appearance during a remote interview. Remember that your interviewer is expecting professionalism even though you aren’t in a physical office.
Jobs in more traditional industries like finance or law might require more thoughtful planning. If you’re not sure how far you need to go with your attire, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Check with your recruitment contact via email before the call. A question like this shows that you pay close attention to detail and are committed to filling the role.
You also shouldn’t neglect your background. A clean background, like a wall behind you, and good natural light usually works best. As Scott says, interviewers don’t expect you to have a full office in your home, but they do want to see that you can switch from living-at-home mode to working-from-home mode.
“Check your surroundings — if they're not quite desirable, you can always use an artificial background to make things easier!”
3. Do your research on the company and its culture
One of the most important things you can do before any job interview is to prepare your own background research. Start with the following and zero in on more specific areas of knowledge that help you answer questions related to the job description:
New terminology in the job description
Background information on the company
Brand values, mission, and vision
The competitive landscape
How do you fast-track this research? Yasmine Gray, a talent sourcer at Remote, gives some helpful advice:
“Look for the company’s website and make sure you understand what they do and why they feel it’s important work. Find relevant content from their careers page or handbook if it’s public. Make notes for yourself on how well you align with their values and things you think you can add to the team.”
Gaby Suarez, a senior technical recruiter at Remote, recommends candidates look for everything they can find about the company, both on its website and on external sources.
“Research your interviewer, the company culture, the founders, and funding rounds. Find out about the investors. Make sure you understand the size of the company. Learn how quickly they are growing.”
These findings can lead to valuable insights that help you demonstrate the value you can add to the organization. The benefit is twofold: your answers (and the questions you pose) will be relevant, demonstrating your understanding of the company and your potential role within it. But you’ll also stand out in the process by demonstrating your dedication and foresight. Your interviewer will be able to tell that you truly care about the role you’re interviewing for.
Bonus tip!
Look the company up on sites like Crunchbase, Glassdoor, Comparably, and similar review sites to get more insights into how the company works and what the employee experience is like. This is important for you as a candidate to get a feel for whether it’s a good culture fit.
4. Practice answering interview questions
Quality candidates know how to walk into job interviews prepared, honest, and confident.
It’s important to understand the types of questions you might be asked in your interview. Technical questions test your knowledge and skills, and behavioral ones require you to describe your approach to different scenarios.
Here are some common questions asked during remote interviews:
Why do you want to work for this company?
What about the job description made you want to apply?
What past experience do you have that will benefit you in this position?
What is your greatest strength?
What motivates you?
What are your medium- or long-term professional goals?
How do you deal with pressure?
How do you handle constructive feedback?
Bonus tip!
When answering questions about your biggest challenges and weaknesses in your job interview , always talk about the steps you have taken or are currently taking to address those issues. This shows self-awareness and leaves the interviewer with a positive view of those otherwise negative traits.
Abstract interview questions
Some interviewers will ask more abstract questions to gain insights into your priorities or observe your ability to problem-solve in real time. This information lets them get to know you in a way that helps bridge the gap that a virtual meeting creates.
Abstract questions could look like these:
Is it better to submit a project on time while it’s imperfect or to submit a perfect project behind schedule?
What was your least favorite part of your previous role?
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
How do you define success?
How do you handle conflict with a colleague, manager, or boss?
What are you passionate about?
It’s important to know your answers to these questions but keep them organic during the interview itself. Don’t just say what you think the interviewer wants you to say – identify your root motivators and be open with the interviewer.
Think about these types of questions ahead of time to practice answering them descriptively but succinctly. Remember that practicing your answers isn’t about creating a script to memorize; it’s about learning how to put your thoughts and feelings into accurate and meaningful words.
5. Build a rapport with your interviewer
Although a video interview isn’t a traditional way to introduce yourself, that doesn’t mean you can’t form a connection with the person on the other side of the screen. Gaby is a huge advocate for trying to build a connection with your communication skills:
“From my experience, soft skills and body language can be assessed pretty much the same way as in a traditional interview.”
It’s important to stay friendly and open, as well as to authentically communicate your interest throughout the conversation. This can make a bigger impression on the hiring manager than many candidates realize. Scott relies on these cues to assess the cultural fit of remote candidates:
“At Remote, our number one value is kindness. So the thing that makes me really excited about a candidate is seeing someone who loves our mission, has the right skill sets to do well in the role, and is ultimately a kind and open person.”
If you’re feeling nervous, remember that’s normal, especially if you’re not used to interviewing remotely. Even if you are, a remote job interview is still an experience very few candidates will have mastered. Default to positivity and assume things are going well, even if you think you’ve made a mistake or said something you weren’t happy with.
Allow yourself to have a genuine conversation. Listen, respond, engage with your interviewer, and be yourself. If possible, find a way to build a personal connection. You might want to try to begin the conversation by talking about personal things like where you live, hobbies, or interests, and even ask the interviewer about their day, their weekend, or their remote work journey.
6. Prepare questions and take notes as you go
You may be the one being interviewed, but it’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions of the interviewer. Asking the right questions can really demonstrate your interest in the role.
Anastasia pinpoints the questions that potential candidates ask as a critical window into their analytical skills and their intelligence in relation to the role.
“It’s good to prepare your questions in advance. When I’m interviewing candidates, one of the most important parts for me is seeing what kind of questions they’re asking, as it shows how much preparation they put into the interview. Interesting questions that are specifically related to the company will help candidates stand out from the crowd.”
Don’t feel like you can’t take notes, refer to your notes, or jot down other talking points as you go. Yasmine encourages candidates to bring notes to the interview and sees this as a sign of good preparation and an indication of solid organizational skills:
“Don’t read off your lap, but glancing at notes is noticed and loved by recruiters,” she shares. “And be mindful about the questions you ask — the easier the answer is to find online, the more time you waste and the less prepared you look.”
Questions you could ask the interviewer include the following:
What is your favorite part about working for this company?
Do you have any hesitations about my fit for this role?
What does the training phase for this role look like, and how long will it last?
Who will I report to, and who will report to me?
As you ask questions, you build a picture of what your daily life will look like if you get the role. You learn about the company from someone who already works there and assess how your personal goals and values align with the company’s own.
Use this time to clear up any concerns or misunderstandings that may have come up during the interview. Finally, thank the interviewer for their valuable time and giving you the opportunity to connect with them.
What to do after the interview
Once you’re done with the interview, what’s next?
Decompress and treat yourself to some relaxation time. Yasmine advises this for any candidate to help deal with the mental stresses of the interview experience.
“Breathe a sigh of relief and do something that brings you joy. Grab a coffee, crack out your favorite video game, go for a stroll in the park, take a hot bath, anything for some post-interview self-care. Remember that any reasonable team won’t expect perfection: they’ll expect a real human being who could add value to their team, and they’ll be able to overlook any hiccups you perceive. So don’t panic about those things and try to put the interview out of your mind.”
If you haven’t heard back within a few days, consider sending a follow-up message to keep yourself top-of-mind for the hiring manager. Scott says this is totally acceptable and indicates your eagerness:
“You can't go wrong with a follow up email to thank someone for their time. A good strategy is a simple LinkedIn connection request after the interview and a follow-up email three to four days later to convey your enthusiasm to move forward.”
Find your dream remote job with Remote
Job searching and interviewing is a numbers game. There are more high-quality remote opportunities available on the job market than ever before, and if you continue to apply and interview, you’ll eventually find the perfect fit for your values and skill sets.
If you’re looking for a remote, hybrid, or flexible job, Remote can help. Check out our Choose Remote Toolkit now for a list of remote job boards, companies hiring remotely, and tips to advocate for yourself to stay remote in your current job.
Subscribe for the latest updates
Sign up for our newsletter to get the inside scoop on all things remote work and global employment.
