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Video Interview Tips For Remote Candidates

Remote Interviews – Opportunities and Challenges for the Candidate

Since 2020 and the unprecedented outbreak of Covid, working from home has increased by 87% according to Global workforce analytics over the 73 million people that they sampled.

In Ireland working from home has increased significantly, a survey from the CSO has shown that 65% of the workforce now work from home and before this 51% had no experience to working from home. Governments are now legislating for remote work.

Working from home has brought many benefits to workforces in Ireland and all over the world such as more family time due to less travel. This has a positive knock-on effect on the environment. Many companies like Ergo are now offering remote or hybrid working solutions. This offers employees more choice as they will not have the restrictions of distance.

Because of these factors, we have seen an unprecedented increase in remote interviews, which can undoubtedly bring benefits, it can help performance as you are in a comfortable environment. People don’t have to go through those last-minute difficulties of trying to find an office in a location or having unforeseen transport delays or traffic jams.

On a recent conference with my colleagues the point was raised by a number of contributors  that it is important to acknowledge that while remote or video interviews can be a benefit to many, to others they could be a disadvantage especially those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. If a person feels that their visual background on a remote interview is of a disadvantage or they feel they can’t get a quite environment to conduct the interview, I would advise someone in this difficult situation to make the recruiter or HR person aware and they will happily accommodate you for the interview with an alternative, so that you have the best opportunity to Perform.

While Remote interview offer benefits, however like any Interview they also present challenges

As with any interview it is always too good to prepare as best as possible.

Video Interview Tips Ergo recommend

Do a Dummy Run

Test your Picture to make sure your background is correct and check your sound. Check the height of your desk. Test the meeting platform that you are using and make sure it works. Test you voice tone and background lighting. Check your picture and make any adjustments. Ensure the screen can gets the whole of your face and background

Not Everything is Different

Many of the preparations will be like a traditional interview. Know the job specification, read over it and write down 5 bullet points of your present and previous experiences that  matches up to the role. Also, write 5 bullet points of why you are interested in the role and why you want it. Have a list of 3 questions that you would like to ask. Research your employer and write down 4 relevant bullet points. Read over your CV and be able to expand on the points

Background

I would recommend you use a blank wall when preparing & check your lighting. A bookcase is also Ideal. Try and make your background as professional looking as possible if you are not sure please feel free to ask your recruiter. Always make sure you don’t have something that might distract & avoid all posters.

Dress.

Like many IT companies Ergo have Smart Casual Dress, However, I would advise people to dress professionally as they would in a traditional Face to Face interview .Nobody is going to ask you to do it but there is also the possibility that another candidate who you are competing against will and you might lose out.

Body Language

Smile and check your posture when preparing. Use your hands as little as possible. Benefits of remote interviews are that you can keep your CV by your side however it is very important that you don’t read off it in a robotic fashion. But glance at it occasionally. It is very important that you keep eye contact. You can cover this in your Dummy run (above).

Hours

A benefit of remote working is that candidates can interview in other European countries. Make sure you aren’t late or early because of a time zone difference