How to Win the Remote Interview Game

Due to COVID-19, I have seen an unprecedented number of remote interviews conducted online. Indeed, given the dangers of the virus, and present government regulations, most companies have switched to remote interviews only. We are also seeing a job market unlike any other, given the economic difficulties the virus has created and the uncertainties ahead. 

The good news is that many companies, based on virtual, are making expeditious hiring decisions. With the logistical challenges of the in-person interview gone, companies are moving much more quickly. Our experience is that the average phone interview to hiring decision period is normally four to eight weeks, but companies have shortened that time significantly, by moving to virtual interviews. 

However, companies are also now able to interview more talent in a shorter amount of time. On top of that, more professionals are exploring new opportunities even if they are happy with their current role as the future is uncertain. The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly changed the market from a candidate-driven market to an employer-driven market. If you decide to explore a new opportunity and are invited to a remote interview, be prepared, as the competition will be fiercer than before. 

So, how to win the remote interview game?

1)    Remember, this is still an interview. Treat the virtual interview as formally as you would an in-person interview. Make sure your attire looks professional. Also, make sure you understand the job description of the role you are applying for, the core competencies that they are looking for. Do your homework on your interviewers’ backgrounds, the company profile, financial standing, recent news, products, pipeline, and the company culture. If you are working with a recruiter, they should be a great resource, and be sure to discuss the interview extensively with them beforehand. Most importantly, think about how to illustrate your experience and attributes in front of the hiring panel. How can I solve their business challenges, what professional experiences I would like to focus on or would want them to know?

2)    Test run the virtual interview app on your device with someone that you trust. It is important to do more than just make sure it works. Sit in the room, set up the lighting as if you are attending the interview. Have someone view your trial run and seek feedback from them on how you appeared, the appearance of your room, whether the lighting was adequate, and whether the volume level was appropriate. 

3)    Speak clearly, with the right volume and energy level. Whereas it is easy to feel the vibe during the in-person interview, it is hard to convey the same level of energy via a remote setting. Be aware of this challenge and put concentrated effort into conveying a high level of energy. Again, it is important to solicit feedback from someone on this. You don’t want to start off the interview too soft or too loud. Also, make sure you know where to look to make eye contact. Eye contact is very important when participating in a virtual interview. It shows your personality and conveys your attention to the interviewer. But not every camera functions the same, so it is important to have feedback on this beforehand.

4)    Avoid any possible distractions around your house. Pets, kids, noisy devices, all of them are potential sources of distraction. While you cannot control everything, and potential employers should be understanding of the situation, do your best to arrange ahead of time so that these distractions are not present.

5)    Think about the best way to communicate your personality. This can be through your smile, your mannerisms, or your eye contact. Find something that demonstrates your personality and communicates it, even though you are actually communicating through a computer screen.

6)    Ask good questions to assess the company culture or your hiring manager’s leadership styles. A remote interview can be more focused and thus more candid than face-to-face interviews. Ask questions directly if you think it’s appropriate. Take this opportunity to get to know more about the people you are meeting with and the company you are interviewing with.

7)    Prepare 4-5 specific examples to showcase your professional experience and career accomplishments that are related to the position. Be thorough and prepare yourself to engage in a more in-depth conversation with the hiring manager than in a phone interview. Besides preparing your technical domain knowledge, get ready with four to five specific examples that can best demonstrate your capabilities and leadership experience. Some common questions you should anticipate: 

• How did you collaborate and achieve a goal with your internal and/ or external stakeholders? 
• How did you make a decision in an ambiguous and fast-changing environment?
• How did you forge a change and apply critical thinking to adapt to an unusual situation? 
• What did you learn in the past year or two that really helped your career? 
• What are you most proud of in your career so far? 
• If you could change one or two aspects of your current role, what would they be? 
• Looking back at your career, is there anything you would do differently and why? 

8)    Have an open and flexible mindset. Most companies are still learning how to do remote interviews. Many hiring managers, because they are working from home, may choose not to turn their camera on. Do not take that as a sign of disinterest; people are still learning the norms. Maintain positive energy throughout the interview and it will be recognized. 

People are adapting to the remote interview format quickly, and everyone I’ve spoken to loves the remote interview format. It is hassle-free and they can re-focus on their current job or routine right after they log off. The key is really to be prepared, seize the opportunity and win the interview. 

If you are currently exploring new career opportunities or would like to get the best strategies for your next career move and how to secure a successful interview, please reach out to me at [email protected]. Bongene Search is ready to help you embark on a new career. 

About the author:

Diana Y. Ji is the founder and president of Bongene Search, a global biopharma executive search firm dedicated to serving the critical talent acquisition needs of biopharma companies. She is also the author of the Amazon best-selling book Power Recruiting: Effectively Hire the Best Talent in the Biopharma industry. Her company, Bongene Search, has been recognized as one of the leading recruiting companies and Diana has been an industry leader for over a decade, implementing her STAR and POWER recruiting processes to ensure her clients always come out on top in the war for talent. Diana holds a Masters in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University. She resides with her family in New Jersey.