Rock Your Remote Interview With These Confidence-Boosting Tips

Rock Your Remote Interview With These Confidence-Boosting Tips

You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, polishing your resume and submitting applications. Finally, you got that long-awaited call–the invite to interview for an amazing role. Even in “normal” times, the excitement of receiving that call might be overshadowed by a hint of anxiety. With the current pandemic, however, life is anything but normal and many companies have transitioned to remote hiring processes. Though you may not be interviewing in person, a remote interview can be just as nerve-wracking and it’s more important than ever to make a good first impression.

There’s no shame in feeling nervous about a remote interview, but don’t let your anxiety keep you from putting your best foot forward. Looking the part is half the battle–when you look confident, you start to feel it. Follow these simple tips to rock your next remote interview.

 

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1 | Take The Time To Prepare

Preparation is the key to a strong interview, so do your research about the company and make sure you understand the details of the position for which you’re applying. Plan ahead to make sure your equipment is set up and functioning as well. Check and double-check your camera and microphone, then do a few test calls with a friend to make sure everything is working properly.

Choose the location for your remote interview carefully–remove unnecessary clutter and other potential distractions from the background. Once everything is set up, you’ll be able to enter the interview feeling prepared.

 

2 | Look The Part

An interview is your chance to make a good first impression. Unfortunately, some things don’t translate well over a virtual medium. You may not be able to rely on your personality as much as you might in an in-person interview, so it’s even more important to project confidence with your image.

Take the time to plan your outfit, choosing something that looks professional but still makes you feel good. Keep in mind that your face will fill most of the screen, so be proactive about addressing skin or hair concerns that might impede your confidence such as adult acne or a receding hairline. Give yourself enough time before the date of your interview to seek treatment.

 

3 | Mind Your Body Language

A good strong handshake is the best way to start an interview, but that option isn’t available with a remote interview. Instead, you have to rely on your body language to project confidence and energy. Position your chair so your face fills most of the video screen, and sit upright with your shoulders back.

It’s okay to use your hands when giving your responses but avoid crossing your arms or fidgeting with your hands when your interviewer is speaking. Be mindful of your facial expressions as well. A modest smile will help project friendliness but, if that feels too awkward, simply keep your expression neutral but maintain eye contact with the camera and nod when appropriate to show you’re paying attention.

 

4 | Stay Focused And Engaged

When sitting across the table from your interviewer, you have an obvious target on which to focus. In a remote interview, however, it’s easy to become distracted. You won’t be able to look your interviewer in the eye, but you can create the illusion of eye contact by looking directly into your webcam.

Place your webcam directly above the center of your computer monitor so you can seamlessly switch your focus from the camera to your interviewer’s video feed. It’s okay to split your time evenly between the two when your interviewer is speaking but make an effort to maintain eye contact with the camera when it comes time for your own responses.

 

5 | Don’t Rush Or Ramble

Even with the best technology, conducting an interview via webcam can be a little awkward. Do your best to control your nerves and keep your speech slow and steady so your interviewers can understand you clearly. You may need to speak a little slower than feels natural–use your interviewer’s intonation as a gauge to determine the appropriate speed.

Nothing communicates confidence like a well-formed response, so take care to avoid rambling. There’s no harm in asking for a moment to collect your thoughts if an immediate answer doesn’t come to mind. A few seconds of silence is better than several minutes of vague rambling.

 

6 | Be Sure To Finish Strong

After you’ve answered the final question, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Before you sign off the call, however, it’s important to make a strong finish. Be sure to thank your interviewers for their time and take the opportunity to ask questions about the process moving forward. Send individual thank-you emails to your interviewers within 24 hours to reiterate your interest in the position. Even if you had a few stumbles during the interview, a confident finish could help you make up lost ground.

 

Conclusion

An interviewer’s job is to find the right candidate for the position. As the interviewee, you have a limited window of time in which to make your case. There’s no substitute for experience and training, but if you present yourself as a confident and qualified applicant, you stand a better chance of being remembered. Follow these tips to make a strong first impression in your next remote interview.


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