Phone and video based remote job interviews

- Tell me if this sounds like a familiar interview experience: sweaty palms, stiff suits, awkward waiting rooms? Not exactly a barrel of laughs, right? Remote job interviews are a bit different, and in my opinion, much more comfortable. Don't let your guard down completely, though. If you think you can do the interview in your PJ's, think again. Conducting a phone or video interview for a remote job can be done in a comfortable location. But there's still planning and protocol that needs to happen. In this video, I will share with you some techniques I've used to pull off an amazing phone or video interview.

Let's start with what a successful phone interview looks like. Most importantly, pick a quiet place. All of the hiring manager has to go off of is your voice and the sound coming through the other line. So, my advice, don't take a phone interview pulled over on the side of the road while other cars are blaring by. I actually did that once. I literally had an interviewer ask me if I was on the freeway. Let's just say that it added a bit of unnecessary stress to my interview. Also make sure you put away the kids and the pets. If you have kids or pets, there will be chances for them to make an appearance when you least expect it.

You never know when the dog will start barking or if that child will suddenly need a fresh supply of goldfish crackers. If a hiring manager hears these interruptions and distractions in the interview, they will think this is the type of work environment you have too. Not exactly the best impression. Another must is to make sure you have a good signal if you're using a cell phone. A few years back, I had scheduled a job interview where I was doing a bit of travelling. My plan was to stop at a park and take the call from a nice, quiet lawn. Too bad, when I got there I had barely any cell service.

I had to call the interviewer back twice because I dropped the calls. Let's just say I did not get a second interview. Many of these tips can be leveraged for video interviews, too. However, it does add another level of complexity. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, dress and prep as if this is an in-person interview. The hiring manager will not only be looking at you, but also what you're wearing, and how much effort you took to look professional. That means getting dressed from head to toe, not just from the waist up. Why? You never know if you'll have to get up and grab a piece of paper or another pen, and the last thing you want is for your interviewer to see that you're wearing a button-down shirt, jacket, tie, and your pajama bottoms.

Let's talk about your office, too. Sure, you think it's pretty spiffy, but how will a potential employer view it? Take a good look around, and remove at least 60% of what you're seeing. Visual clutter can be a video interview killer, and some employers might perceive the clutter to be a sign of your work style ethic and productivity level. So, remove as many extras as possible, and make sure there's good lighting on you to ensure you put yourself in, well, the best light possible. You don't want to be backlit so your face is cast in shadows.

As with the phone interview, you'll want to ensure you have a strong connection. If you're going to do a video interview, you need to be sure your computer can handle it. So, do a test Skype run with a friend, and make sure your computer doesn't lag or freeze. And if your computer is really old, it might just be time to upgrade it, which you'll have to do anyway in order to be an efficient remote worker. Doing a phone or video interview for a remote job is definitely a lot easier than if you had to go into an office for a face-to-face one. So, keep these tips in mind and also remember to let your personality really shine through.

Personality counts a lot, and if you're charismatic and optimistic, people will want to work with you.