How do you prepare for a remote or online interview?

Use zoom to set up a new meeting and treat it as you would treat the interview. Try to use the same time of day so that you can test the lighting, and record the "mock" interview with yourself to see how you look and sound.

As obvious this seems, technical difficulties are a thing and can sink an interview. You might be the most qualified candidate for the job, but if you have spotty internet, it will tell interviewers that 1) you don't care enough about the interview or 2) you are technologically inept or both. Practice with a friend, a career advisor, or a mentor.

And if there is going to be background noise, such as construction, a neighbor cutting their lawn, etc., tell the interviewer be for the interview begins and apologize for it. Most interviewers will forgive you for what you can't help.

A couple tips: - Invest in higher quality technology, a HD 1080 usb webcam, a pair of headphones/earbuds, lighting if your room is dark - Do not sit in front of a light or window - Set your camera at eye height or slightly above - Mute when you aren't talking - Let people know you are on an interview to avoid random sounds

I often get asked what the difference is between a remote/online interview and a 'normal' interview and I summarise it very simply as this: In a normal interview, the interviewer controls the environment. In a remote/online interview, you do. It is your responsibility. Otherwise, it really is just the same as any other interview.

The video interview can weigh as heavy as an in-person one; heck heavier. We brought someone in whom we believed was the best candidate; the in-person interview was just a formality. Don't take the video interview/s lightly.

A quick internet search will make you a quick "expert" on any company and the role. Other than articles and the company website you can also find podcasts executive leaders have been on, reviews from current and past employees on sites such as glassdoor, and you and research past and current employees on linkedin.

Write out specific answers to interview questions and practice, practice, practice. If you aren't working with a coach, record your answers, ask a friend to listen, and overall ask yourself, if I didn't know who I was, who I believe I could do the job, and would I want to work with me? These are the two questions that interviewers are constantly asking.

A great tool I just discovered is Yoodli.ai. It records you answering interview questions and analyzes your speech, pointing out filler words and suggesting better ways to say what you meant. Otherwise, you could simply open a Zoom call and record it. You would be amazed at what you discover from watching yourself on the screen, such as your facial expressions, body language, and, of course, the content of your answers.

This is a great suggestion for telephone interviews. For video interviews, placing stick-it notes on the frame of your screen or the screen itself can help remind you of important points you want to make. At the same time you can make eye contact with the interviewer/s. However, don't rely on this trick entirely; you should know the material inside and out.

If you actually send a follow up e-mail after the interview, you're going to be ahead of most people. Rarely do I see candidates do something like this. Another thing I've seen people do to really stand out is actually send a handwritten card. That really impressed me.