You’ve impressed the hiring managers with your resume and application. Now, it’s time to wow them with your sparkling personality and substantial knowledge.
Only — the interview is remote, and it can be harder to read each other over the phone or computer. How do you ensure your talents and passion get across the distance to the interviewer?
It’s not always the best scenario, but it is a regular part of today’s job process, even in healthcare. Virtual and remote interviews were already gaining traction before COVID, but since then, they’ve become widely accepted.
The good news is that you’re not the first to get nervous about a remote interview. We’ve compiled a list of four of the best suggestions from people who have been there before and put them here for you.
1. Clear Your Agenda and Your Environment
When your interview is scheduled, you should receive an approximate time to block out of your day. An average remote job interview ranges from 30-45 minutes, but it can last longer if you’re impressing the hiring manager.
Block at least an hour out of your day where you’ll be free from distractions. If the interview is on a video call, ensure you have a quiet, clutter-free room to sit in while discussing the job and your background.
It’s perfectly fine to hold your end of a job interview from your home office. However, choose a time when you won’t have extra noise. Try to time your meeting when your kids are at school (if applicable), and the house is empty.
Set your video camera up as though you were in the interview. Look at your image and observe what the other person will see when they’re on the call. Remove anything that could be viewed as unprofessional or that you don’t want to be seen.
Clearing your schedule and the area frees you from distractions or rushing and lets you focus on the conversation.
2. Make a List of Important Topics
Anyone who has been in an interview knows there’s always the “turn the tables” time when you’re asked, “Do you have any questions about the job?”
Most people will say no because they’re either unprepared or too nervous to ask anything. But by preparing a list of topics you want to discuss, you’ll demonstrate your organizational skills and show that you researched the position.
Take some time to review the job’s requirements and the details you’ve been provided. Research the position’s description across the industry. If there are any unclear areas, write them down and ask for clarification during your interview.
In addition to those questions, list anything important that might get overlooked in the rest of the interview. These could include paid time off, health, life, and disability insurance coverage, or when you can expect your first pay raise.
Review the list a few times before your interview, so you’re comfortable with it. Then, when it’s your turn to ask questions, skim the paper and look for any topics that weren’t discussed or you are still unsure about.
Take this time to bring them up. You’ll know the answers you need, and the interviewer will be impressed that you were prepared.
3. Practice Your Answers
While you’re not going to know everything that you’ll be asked, there are some basic questions you should expect. Rehearse what you’ll say to those, and try to predict others that might crop up.
Look over your resume and C.V. Are there any gaps in the timeline that the hiring manager could have concerns about? Is there a skill you know the job requires but isn’t highlighted on your documents?
Put yourself in their shoes. They don’t know you, your background, or your experience. You’ll have to fill in any blanks. It’s easier to plan what you’ll say if you’ve prepared for the possible questions.
Pro tip: Today’s managers are looking for a healthy balance of hard and soft skills. They’ll purposely try to put you on the spot with unexpected questions to find out if you have things like creativity and confidence. You can find examples of these and practice them to become more comfortable with this type of divergent thinking.
Conclusion
Regardless of its kind, an interview is always at least a little nerve-wracking. The better prepared you are, the easier the process becomes.
The same theory applies to remote meetings, albeit with a slight tweak. Follow these four tips, and you’ll confidently nail your next job interview.
