Acing a Remote Interview

If you're new to telecommuting, don't make the mistake of underpreparing for remote interviews and behaving too casually in your familiar environment. Employers want organized, self-motivated professionals for remote jobs, giving you the challenge of selling your skills and personality without face-to-face communication. To ace a video or phone interview, show hiring managers you perform well without micromanagement by being transparent about your work style, environment and expertise.

1. Look Like a Professional

Feeling too relaxed makes you prone to mistakes, so approach remote job interviews with the same attention to detail as in-person interviews. Whether it's a live chat, video, email or phone interview, dress professionally and clean up your workspace to avoid fumbling around for important materials later. Choose a quiet place where you won't be interrupted, and make sure there are no distractions or clutter in the background for video interviews.

2. Prepare Case Studies

For remote jobs, hiring managers focus more on skills and proven performance than growth potential and cultural fit. They want to know what you can do now, not what you might be able to do with future training. Prepare examples of past jobs, and have your resume, online profile links, portfolio and references ready to email before the meeting.

In each case study, explain what the client needed and how you adapted to provide the most effective solution. Describe the types of tasks you perform and how they make operations easier for your clients. Employers want reassurance you're an expert who can be trusted to prioritize the company's interests. Highlight instances when your advice helped clients make profitable decisions or avoid obstacles.

3. Market Your Work Ethic

The most experienced workers can struggle to stay focused in remote jobs, making it essential to relieve any doubts employers may have about your self-discipline. Describe where and how you work, emphasizing your ability to stick to a schedule and your process for managing a project. Assure hiring managers your work environment is quiet, and provide multiple options for contacting you. Be honest if you have strict contact hours, but make it clear you respond quickly to client questions or problems.

Solid examples are always more effective than empty promises, so describe any tools or techniques you use to stay motivated, such as time-tracking apps or milestone calendars. Because equipment or connection problems can easily interfere with remote jobs, make it clear you have the technical skills to troubleshoot quickly when necessary.

4. Master Personality Testing

Personality testing may be structured or informal, but employers are continually looking for signs your character isn't well suited to working unsupervised. Favor statements that demonstrate your personal accountability, integrity, problem solving, leadership and independent thinking. Don't talk about how you feel drained by working alone or need frequent mentoring to stay on track. Much like with a traditional interview, you should also take notes and ask questions to show your interest, and clarify details, such as performance evaluation, employer-provided training and tax reporting.

Employers know every worker isn't cut out for a remote job. Your goal is to show them you can handle the pressure and complete projects as productively as an in-house employee.

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