The new ‘rules’ of the remote interview

If you have interviewed for a job in the last five years, chances are you will have attended at least one virtual interview. The process sounds straightforward and convenient: you are sitting in the comfort of your home, there are no travel costs involved, no commuting time to factor in, and no special logistics to consider. Easy for everyone, right?

Yes and no. While the convenience aspect is certainly true, virtual interactions come with their own challenges. Technical glitches and the barriers to communication imposed by a screen are well-known; the use of AI is introducing another dimension that we’re not fully familiar with yet.

AI in remote hiring: friend or foe?

AI can be a significant ally for recruiters, especially during the initial stages of the hiring process. Algorithms save a lot of time by creating a first candidate selection, sometimes among hundreds of applicants. Used during the interview, AI can conduct intelligent screening by looking beyond background and expertise, identifying non-verbal cues that say a lot about a candidate’s personality and how they would fit in the company culture.

For candidates, AI tools can schedule interviews, answer questions on practical issues, and provide feedback in real time, helping them navigate the pre-interview stage. During the interview, AI may be less biased than human interviewers.

On the other hand, AI is – naturally – far from ‘perfect,’ and this may cost companies some good employees: suitable candidates could get filtered out before they even reach the human interaction stage, as many interfaces may not be trained to look beyond specific elements. For example, hand gestures or natural pauses in speech may be misconstrued as evidence of poor communication.

In light of these parameters, how can you give yourself the best chance at succeeding at your remote interview?

Treat it like an in-person interview

The biggest ‘secret’ in successfully handling remote interviews is probably to not treat them as such. For example, the fact that you are meeting a recruiter on camera doesn’t give you a free pass with your appearance, so take the time to dress the same way as you would if you were going to that office for a day’s work.

Furthermore, find out as much as you can about the company and the position you are applying for and take time to prepare your answers to standard interview questions. Consider also a list of questions to ask the recruiter, which will show your genuine interest in the role.

Test out your tech

There is nothing worse than being otherwise excellently prepared but then having to deal with a technical fail. To avoid this, check your internet speed and connection, and make sure your camera and microphone work. It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the specific platform the recruiter is using. Make a trial call with a friend or family member to test things out.

Prepare for the presence of AI

Many companies choose to employ AI for their initial round of interviews. If your first contact with the recruiter is via an AI platform, pay special attention to clear and concise communication. Rehearse beforehand to avoid awkward pauses in your speech and excessive use of filler phrases or rambling. Your tone, pace, and confidence are most important in these interactions. Acting as if you have a human recruiter in front of you will maximise your chances of passing through the AI gatekeeper and continuing to the rest of the recruitment process.

Interested in finding out how recruiters actually utilise AI to their advantage? Read our article on How AI can improve the talent acquisition process.

Related links:

5 tips for acing your interview

Five ways AI can help your job search

Read more:

European Job Days

Find EURES Advisers

Living and working conditions in EURES countries

EURES Jobs Database

EURES services for employers

EURES Events Calendar

Upcoming Online Events

EURES on Facebook