How to Have a Successful Remote Job Interview

The statistics show that nearly half of companies around the globe are employing remote workers. With so many companies accepting remote work, it’s easy to see that conducting remote interviews is here to stay. Yet, it's a challenge more employers and employees will have to navigate in the future.

Remote job interviews share a lot of similarities with in-person ones. However, some of the differences might make online job interviews more stressful than in-person ones.

So, to help both employees and employers conduct successful virtual interviews, here are some tips. Let’s discuss the differences and similarities between the two types of job interviews. You should also know how to prepare for it, common questions, and how to stand out in the sea of interviewees and interviewers.

What are some of the things remote and in-person interviews have in common?

The purpose is the same with both in-person and online interviews. Both parties are trying to assess whether the candidate is right for the job, or whether the position is right for the candidate.

You’ll need to prepare the interview questions as an interviewer. As a candidate, you'll have to prepare for the interview questions for both types of interviews. However, you can expect questions tailored to managing remote work when interviewing for a remote position.

You should also consider your appearance, and be mindful of your body language, even when interviewing online. Print out your resume and have it ready, and also prepare means to take notes if applicable.

Lastly, turn off your phone, or in the case of an online interview, you’d want to turn off any notifications that may disrupt your interview.

How to prepare for the interview

Preparing for the interview is stressful, so here is a quick checklist of things to do before it starts. Once you have all these aspects in line, it's going to help lessen the tension during the interview.

The first thing to be mindful of and prepare for is the space from which you will conduct your interview. The room you will have your interview should be quiet and distraction-free. If you have kids or pets, try to find a sitter so you won't be distracted during the interview.

Both you and your temporary office should be tidy. Choose clothes you would wear for an in-person interview, and clean up the background space so it looks tidy and professional.

The next step is to test your equipment and internet speed. Since the interview is typically what your other meetings would look like, it's best if you have up-to-date equipment. Also, do a test run with your webcam and headphones to test whether everything is running smoothly.

Before the interview, check which tool the company uses to conduct interviews. You might need to install software to log in to the interview or create an account, which can be time-consuming. It's best to set up everything in advance to avoid any technical difficulties during the interview.

Lastly, make sure to take care of little distractions. Turn off any software that may prompt too many distracting notifications. Charge your battery, or plug your device into a power source.

It is also a good idea to attend the meeting at least a few minutes early. You can use this time to check your equipment once again or to simply compose yourself for the interview. Either way, being there on time will show your future employer that you are not only punctual but also serious about the job.

How to have a successful interview

Once the interview starts, be mindful of these few things:

1. Look at the interviewer, not at yourself

With most video conferencing tools, you will be able to not only see your potential employer, but also a video of yourself. The latter can be very distracting, especially in such a stressful moment.

Use a sticky note to cover the parts of the screen that would make your eyes wander. The point is to make sure to maintain eye contact with the employer so that you don't seem distracted or uninterested.

2. Mind the body language

Even though your employer is not in the same room with you, they can still see you. Try to be mindful of your body language. Avoid slumping, or crossing your arms. Instead, try to sit up straight, maintain an open posture, and not cross your arms.

What's more, fidgeting is also not a good look for the interview. Your nerves may be affected, but it is important to keep your focus on the interview. Avoid playing with objects on your desk, and moving too much. These will only make you appear disinterested, lacking in confidence, or too nervous.

3. Stay present

It can be tempting to multitask when you have an online interview. However, it is advisable to show dedication and commitment to the interview, which is why you should avoid distractions.

Try to stay present. Avoid drinking or eating during the interview, unless it's water. Turn off all notifications, and remove your phone from your sight and mind for the interview. Stay engaged in the interview, and make a good impression on your new boss.

How to answer the remote job interview questions?

When interviewing for a remote position, you should craft specific interview questions. Consider questions that will help you to understand how well your potential employee works remotely. As a candidate, you can expect some questions about your time management skills. Or, your new employer might ask how you keep yourself motivated while working remotely.

Here are some questions interviewers may borrow for their upcoming set of interviews. These are coupled with good answers for candidates looking to win the role. Most of these questions will aim to get and provide reassurance that the daily tasks and job overall will be completed at the end of the day.

1. "Why do you want to work remotely?"

While it seems obvious, the interviewer will want to know your reasons for choosing remote work. They’re checking if you’ve thought this through and if your reasons align with the company’s goals. However, they are also checking your approach to remote work.

It is best to approach this question from the employer's perspective. Yes, you might want to avoid a long commute as it will help you save time. But, you should also show them how avoiding a long commute will help the company.

So, make sure to share personal and professional reasons that show you’ve considered how remote work fits your lifestyle and career. Example:

"I want to work remotely because it gives me flexibility to manage my time better. I also want to work in a way that suits me best. For example, I can set up my workspace in a quiet room at home, and avoid long commutes. This will help me save time, and the quiet space will help me focus better on my tasks."

2. "Do you have any previous experience with working remotely?"

Moving to remote work caused a lot of chaos in many companies during the pandemic. It is only natural the employer wants to assess whether you’re familiar with remote work routines and challenges.

If you have previous experience, it suggests you’ll adapt faster and be more productive. Those that haven't, might have a more difficult time figuring out remote work, technology stack, and other aspects of remote work.

If you have, mention any past remote work experiences and what you learned from them. For example:

"Yes, I have worked remotely in my previous job. I handled customer support. I used tools like Zoom for meetings and Slack for daily updates. This taught me how to communicate clearly and manage my tasks without direct supervision."

If you don't have experience, make sure to inform yourself of the most common differences between remote work and in-office work. It might also be a good idea to inform yourself about the technology stack the company is using to communicate and keep track of tasks upfront.

3. "How do you stay focused and productive when working remotely?"

One of the most commonly cited cons to remote work is that it results in lower productivity. For some, this may be the case, as they need a traditional office environment to be productive. Since you are applying for a remote position, you must assure your employer that you will be able to meet your tasks daily.

The employer is using this question to check if you can manage your time and stay motivated without being in a traditional office environment. To answer this question properly, make sure to describe specific habits or tools that help you stay on track. Example:

"I stay focused by creating a daily schedule and sticking to it. I use apps like Google Calendar to plan my day and set reminders. I also take short breaks to avoid getting too tired, and I have a quiet workspace where I can concentrate."

4. "What kind of communication tools or project management tools are you familiar with?"

This question is self-explanatory. The interviewer wants to know if you know the tools needed for remote work. These tools replace common methods of communication and task management used in an in-office setting.

Similarly to the previous question, this one helps employers understand how quickly you'll adapt to remote work. It will also help them understand whether they need to provide training to get you up to speed with collaboration and task management tools. List the tools you’ve used and explain briefly how they help you. For example:

"I’m familiar with communication tools like Slack for messaging and Zoom for video calls. For project management, I’ve used Trello and Asana to keep track of tasks and deadlines. These tools help me stay connected with my team and organize my work."

5. "How do you manage tasks when working remotely?"

It has always been difficult for managers to keep track of employees' tasks and productivity. This is especially true for remote employees, as the employers cannot physically see them most of the time, or pop in for a quick update.

The employers use this question to assess your organizational skills. They want to know how you will keep track of your work without in-person oversight.

You have a chance to explain your method for managing tasks and ensuring deadlines are met. For example, you could say:

"I manage tasks by using a to-do list. I prioritize them based on deadlines and importance. I often use Trello to keep everything organized. This helps me stay on track and meet all my deadlines."

6. "What is your ideal work environment in terms of check-ups?"

Some job roles require employees to be very responsive. For other roles, constant checkups can only hinder productivity. It also depends on the employee as well.

This is a good question for both employers and employees. Your employer seeks to understand your preference for feedback and communication frequency. Your answer will help them estimate your compatibility with their management style.

Make sure to describe your preferred balance between independence and regular check-ins. For example:

"I like having a check-in meeting at the start of the week to discuss goals and get feedback. Then, I prefer to work independently with a quick daily update to keep everyone in the loop. This way, I stay focused but still get the support I need."

7. "How do you know you’ve completed work for the day and it’s time to disconnect?"

Research shows that remote work makes it difficult for individuals to disconnect from their work, leading to burnout. This is especially tricky in remote companies. Different time zones and working hours make communication complex.

This question helps estimate how you manage your work-life balance. Your employer tries to ensure you don’t overwork or leave tasks unfinished. Disconnecting from work often has more benefits than overworking.

To reassure your employer you won't burn out within the first week, explain your routine for ending your workday effectively. Here is an example:

"I set clear goals for the day and make sure I finish my tasks before I stop working. I also review what I’ve done and prepare my to-do list for the next day. This helps me feel satisfied with my work and makes it easier to disconnect and relax."

After the interview

Once the interview is done, it is time for both parties to collect their thoughts and reflect on it. While the interview is still fresh in your memory, write down everything that has stood out during it. It will help you with the next steps.

The following two steps are the same as if you were interviewing for an in-house position. You should send a thank you note, and follow up after the interview. The notes you've created will help you do that.

The recommended practice for sending thank you notes is to do so the same day, or in the first 24 hours after the interview. You should use the thank-you note to thank your interviewer for their time. You should also use it as an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position. The notes you've created during and after the interview will help you do that, so feel free to revert to them for the thank you note.

Depending on the company, the hiring process can take weeks. You might want to set a reminder for a week after the interview. If you don't hear back from the company in the meantime, use the reminder to send a follow-up note.

The follow-up note should be short and positive in tone. Use this opportunity to ask about the status of your application, and reiterate your interest in the position.

Tips to stand out among the candidates

As we've seen, most things are fairly similar when it comes to the interview process. But, there are a couple of additional things you should be mindful of when applying for a remote position.

Here is what you should focus on when interviewing for a remote position:

Show you’re tech-savvy:

Highlight your ability to use remote work tools like Zoom, Slack, or project management software. If you don't have any experience with these tools, try to watch a few tutorials, or install them and test them for free. Being familiar with the toolset shows you can handle the technical side of remote work.

Communicate clearly:

Practice speaking clearly about your experiences. Good communication is key in remote work since most interactions are online. Your position might require you to participate in online meetings, for which this practice will be very useful.

Demonstrate self-discipline:

Self-discipline is one of the keys to successful remote work. Share how you manage your time and stay motivated. Employers want to know you can work well without constant supervision.

Provide concrete examples:

If you have worked remotely in the past, use specific examples in the interview. These experiences should show you’ve successfully worked remotely or handled similar challenges. If you don't have experience working remotely, show your new employer how you plan to address these challenges.

Ask smart questions:

Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s remote work policies. You should also ask about the team communication strategies and the employer's expectations of you. This shows your interest and that you’re thinking ahead.

FAQ:

How do I prepare for a remote job interview?

To prepare for a remote job interview, make sure you have a quiet place with a good internet connection. Test your computer’s video and microphone to avoid any technical issues. Practice common interview questions and have examples ready to show how you can work well from home.

What questions to ask before accepting a remote job?

Ask about the company’s expectations for your work hours and if they have any specific communication tools you’ll need to use. Check if they offer support for setting up your home office or provide any equipment. Find out how they handle meetings and what kind of training or onboarding you’ll get as a remote worker.

How to answer the question why do you want to work remotely?

Explain that working remotely helps you manage your time better and allows you to work in a comfortable environment. You can say it saves you from long commutes and helps you focus better on your tasks. Mention that remote work helps you balance your personal and work life more effectively.