March 2023 – Heartland Resumes

While hiring has slowed, it hasn’t stopped altogether. Many employers are still recruiting – they’re conducting remote interviews.

Here are six steps to nailing those remote interviews and landing the job you want.

Your setup

Sit down and turn your camera on; what can be seen?

Arrange your face in the middle of the screen. Check the position or height of your laptop to get the angle correct, so you’re not looking down at the camera. Take a look around the room. Make sure there is no clutter, and organize the area.

Be aware of noise or distractions that might interrupt you, such as housemates in the kitchen or pets. Find a quiet space that allows you to focus. Be prepared for remote interviews with these 6 steps.

Try a test run

With so many video conferencing platforms, it’s easy to get confused. Whether it’s Webex, Zoom, Skype, or Teams, practice with a friend to learn the platform used.

There is nothing worse than your connection freezing halfway through the interview, be sure to check that your internet is working correctly.

Keep calm is things go wrong. Have a backup plan in place. Ask for the interviewer’s mobile number or email address in case of any technical difficulties throughout the interview.

Get organized

Prepare some answers to possible interview questions. Keep them brief so you can speak freely and naturally in the interview.

Maintain eye contact with your interviewer, and place your notes in sight, but not directly in front of you.

You may also need to refer to your CV. It would be helpful to have it on hand.

Dress the part

It sounds a bit silly, but do get fully dressed – not only is it professional, but it also puts you in the right frame of mind to have a formal conversation.

Show your personality

Let your warmth and humor shine through.

Relax, laugh, and use hand gestures and body language to tell a story just like you would in person (be sure you give yourself enough space to do this during your practice run, so you don’t knock anything over!)

Send a follow-up email

Make sure to send a follow-up email to your interviewer to thank them for meeting with you. Consider including a few points you spoke about in your interview to remind them of your discussion.

You might also share additional thoughts on the point of discussion or a few ideas for what you’d do in the role. This extra effort shows the interviewer how serious you are about wanting the position. It might just be the additional momentum you need to edge out the other candidates and get the job.

Have questions? Contact us; we would love to help!

This article was originally published May 2020 and has been recently updated.

In today’s busy world, it takes time for recruiters to reach out to potential applicants. You could have applied for a job weeks ago or just yesterday, either way, you need to be prepared when they call. While on the phone with a recruiter, don’t forget to ask these 6 questions while you’re on the phone.

Even if it only lasts 5 minutes, the call is essential and more important than the job interview. Why? First impressions are unforgettable; this is your chance to show who you are. Here are the sixc Questions you Should Ask the Recruiter

It’s also a perfect time to ask any questions about the job so you can be prepared for the interview.

Here are the 6 questions to ask the job recruiter

1. Do you work for the hiring company?

There are two types of recruiters. It’s essential to know the difference between each one. An internal recruiter works directly with the company that looking for someone to hire. In contrast, an external recruiter works as a third party, acting as a go-between for the hiring company and the job candidates.

Knowing the difference will help determine which questions you might ask and will provide insight into the answers you receive. For instance, an internal recruiter could have more information about the company’s culture; however, talking with an external recruiter, you might also ask about other available job opportunities.

2. Who’s the ideal candidate for this role?

Want an advantage with the interview? Ask the recruiter about the company’s ideal employee. You could reference the job posting, but the recruiter will likely have more intel. Take plenty of notes, and don’t be afraid to ask more questions. You can use this information to decide if this position is a good fit for you.

3. How quickly do you want to fill this position?

Sometimes it takes a few weeks to hear back after your interview. You can better understand how long the process could take by asking how quickly a company’s looking to fill a position.

4. How would you best describe the company’s culture?

Before going into an interview, you’ll want to research a company’s culture to see if it would be a good fit for you. The most effective way to do this is to review a company’s website and check out social media, but it can be challenging to pick up the vibe from behind a screen.

So when you have a recruiter on the phone, ask. A recruiter will be able to provide some additional insight.

5. What’s the starting salary range?

This is a great question for a recruiter but can be tricky. The goal of this initial conversation is to determine if the company is a good fit for you and vice versa. Why continue with the interview process if the company can’t pay you what you need?

Use your best judgment to find an appropriate time to ask during the conversation. If you do, be delicate with the way you ask the question. Try something like: “I want to make sure this position fits my needs. Do you have information on compensation? A starting salary range?”

It’s not uncommon for a recruiter to ask about your salary expectations, so be prepared to answer that question when asked.

6. What are the next steps?

The most critical question you need to ask is, “What are the next steps?”

Ask about how long the interview process typically takes, if any travelling will be a part of the position, and if there is anything else they’ll want from you. This is important in determining if the opportunity is right for you and is worth your time.

Are you looking for more information besides these 6 questions? Contact us today.

This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated.

6 Key Steps For Successful Remote Interviews