With most businesses working semi or fully remote, brushing up on your virtual and video interview skills has never been more critical. Many non-essential physical workers are out of a job, and if you're looking to make the transition to work remotely, you will have to do remote interviews. Here are a few practical tips that'll ensure you're always ready for interviews and may just help you land your dream job.

1. Have Good Tech

'Good technology' is an umbrella term for decent internet, Wi-Fi, webcam, computer, microphone, and speakers - all the technology required to partake in a remote interview. Of course, you will want to make sure to double-check every piece of equipment long before your interview (the day before is a good idea) and correct any technical restrictions that might disrupt the interview. It's unlikely an interviewer will dismiss you on the count of having a lousy webcam, but you want to avoid ending up in a situation where poor technology might force a reschedule.

2. Dress the Part

Just because you don't technically need to dress for the office to attend a remote interview doesn't mean you shouldn't make an effort. How you dress is how you're addressed, and that holds particularly true for remote interviews. You want to make a great first impression, and dressing the part for an interview is a simple way to get a step ahead of some of your competitors.

Dressing correctly for any work-related occasion, whether virtual or IRL is essential, and is a great confidence booster - something you'll need whilst going through the job search process.

3. Have Everything Set up Before the Interview

Potentially stressful encounters, such as interviews, are easier to deal with when you're prepared for them. Having everything in place and reviewing your notes will help you relax and face the situation with more confidence. It will also give you extra time to take care of any last-minute problems or to do a quick run-through of your resume and the job description just before you get on the call.

4. Work on Your People Skills

Being competent at what you do and adhering to basic interview etiquette will get you farther than you might know. Interviews are equally important, whether they are remote or in the real world, and you should always treat them as such. Try to maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Know when to be polite and answer straight, and know when to make jokes and bond with them.

During an interview, you always want to come off as confident, in control, and competent in your chosen field. Try to improve your communication skills, and you should be well on your way to landing your dream job.

5. Remove Distractions

Ensure the space you set up for the interview is isolated and away from any distractions that might divert your attention. Ensure it's completely silent, ideally with no other people around. Remove your phone from view for the duration of the interview - place it in another room if you have to to ensure you aren't tempted to look at it. Make sure you give the interviewer your full and undivided attention - interruptions break the immersion and flow of the interview process and should be avoided.

6. Keep Your CV at Hand

Having a printed copy of your CV is a crucial practice going into any interview. Having a copy to hand allows you to refer to dates, times, and experiences accurately, making you look professional by ensuring you have the facts straight.

Practically speaking, it's also better to have a physical copy of your CV so that you don't have to search for it on your computer or keep clicking around on the screen whilst trying to concentrate.

7. Prepare for all General and Key Questions

With the internet literally at your fingertips, it pays hugely to conduct some research and find out what you may be asked so you can prepare in advance. If you can, ask people more senior than yourself in your field about their interview experiences, read forums and blogs and ask other professionals about general and specific questions that interviewers typically ask. Read about the latest fads and trends in your industry and use this information to prepare accordingly.

8. Know the Company You are Working For

It is absolutely vital to research the company you're potentially going to work for. Read about their work, achievements, plans, failures, team size, and your position. Know the surface-level details of every company you might be looking to work for, and you'll be able to answer questions with more certainty. It will also show the interviewer you are interested in your job.

9. Set up a Fancy Backdrop

Set up a fancy office for your interview if it is within your means. Setting up a professional office space is a great way to make a first impression. Having a dedicated working room shows how seriously you take your job or career. However, if you don't have a dedicated space, work with what you've got and make it look as polished and professional as possible.

10. Be Active in the Community

Have a professional digital footprint, and set up multiple social media accounts that indicate that you are active in the community. People recognize and respect other industry professionals. If you're a real contributor, your potential manager will know that from your LinkedIn - connecting on the platform pre-interview is a common modern practice.

11. Market Yourself

During your interview, go above and beyond to market yourself to your interviewer. Answer questions with as many theoretical and field examples as possible to show you're competent in your craft. This part of the interview is the most important, and you should handle it with as much professionalism as you can. And, once you've completed the interview, send a complimentary email, thanking the interviewer for the opportunity.

12. Improve Your Resume

If you're searching for a new job and not getting as many interviews as you'd like, it might mean your resume is not up to scratch. Candidates with poor resumes are less likely to land interviews, and even if you do get to the interview stage, a poor resume gives a bad first impression.

So, if you've been piling up a slew of rejection emails, it means you might need to gain more experience or learn some new skills. Create personal projects in your free time, and take courses to improve your knowledge in your particular field. Try to continuously improve, and make sure you add every effort to your resume - this will improve your chances of landing interviews and make you more confident about your field when you do; it's a win-win!

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