How to Enhance Remote Interviews for Candidates

Success is in the details. When we focus on the details in our remote job search, we’ll always win. Remote job interviews take even more time to prepare and perfect. Let’s introduce the story of Sarah. Last week, Sarah reached out to us devastated. She'd made it to final interviews for her dream remote role but didn't get the offer. "I don't understand," she said. "My qualifications were perfect." After reviewing her interview recording, the problem became crystal clear - and it wasn't her experience. The truth is: Remote interviews require a completely different approach than traditional ones. ✅ 1. The Background Story Matters Sarah had her camera angled up (showing her ceiling), poor lighting, and kids' toys visible behind her. The hiring manager later shared this made them question her remote work readiness. Simple fix: Create a dedicated space that shows you understand remote work professionalism. ✅ 2. Digital Presence is Everything During group discussions, Sarah kept looking down at her notes instead of at the camera. In remote work, your virtual presence is your only presence. Practice looking at your camera while speaking. It's the remote equivalent of eye contact. ✅ 3. Remote-Specific Examples Win When asked about challenges, Sarah talked about office experiences. The most successful candidates weave in remote work scenarios: "When our team was spread across three time zones, I created a new async update system..." ✅ 4. The Follow-Up Difference Instead of a standard thank you email, top candidates send short video messages or digital presentations showing their remote work setup and ideas. Sarah implemented these changes and landed her next remote role within two weeks. The difference? She showed she understood remote work culture, not just talked about it. Always remember: the details matter. Wes Question - What's been your biggest remote interview challenge? Question - Which of these tips will you implement in your next virtual interview? 🎥 @mastihin_kateriny #remotejobsearch #interviewtips #careercoach #remotework

Wise advice for anyone in the midst of a hiring process. I’ve seen firsthand how small changes can make a big difference in how candidates experience interviews. The result? Candidates feel less stressed and more confident, leading to more productive conversations. Hiring teams build stronger connections with the right people. What can you do as a hiring manager? Start by creating an environment where candidates can be their best. Here’s what you can do: Build rapport to ease nerves Encourage candidates to use notes Avoid "trap" questions Give time for pauses and thoughtful responses Offer extra time if necessary Share interview topics/questions in advance These simple changes can lead to: ☑ Better interview outcomes ☑ Stronger candidate relationships ☑ More successful hiring decisions It might feel like a small shift, but it pays off big for both the team and the candidate. It’s not about following a set formula; it’s about creating a space where everyone can thrive. What’s your best interview experience? Share below!

🌶️ Take: Giving candidates interview questions, or at least a clear idea of what to expect, is not an unfair advantage. It reflects how people actually work. Think about it…in most tech jobs, employees are rarely expected to solve problems without preparation. Whether it is writing code, presenting a strategy, or managing a team conflict, they typically have time to think, collaborate, and gather resources. So why are candidates held to a different standard in interviews? Giving candidates the exact questions, or at least a very clear idea of what to expect, does not dilute the process. It empowers them to succeed. That is the point…and it works. When I was at Going, we followed this approach. Candidates were given clear expectations, and yes, sometimes even the exact questions. The result was a strong quality of hire and a process that let candidates bring their best selves to the table. This proves that preparation enhances the process rather than weakens it. Here’s why this works: 1️⃣ It mirrors real work. Preparation is the norm on the job. Evaluating candidates in this way sets realistic expectations and builds trust. 2️⃣ It reduces anxiety. Interviews are stressful, and stakes are high for candidates. Providing clarity allows them to focus on showcasing their skills instead of second-guessing the process. 3️⃣ It levels the playing field. Clear expectations create an environment where all candidates can perform their best. This is particularly impactful for neurodiverse candidates or those who may excel when they have the space to demonstrate problem-solving skills instead of navigating unnecessary pressure. 4️⃣ It improves insights. When candidates know what to expect, they deliver thoughtful, meaningful answers. This gives you better data to make confident hiring decisions. Some worry that it gives candidates too much of an edge. However, if the goal is to find the best person for the job, doesn’t it make sense to give them the opportunity to show their full potential? Others argue it takes away from assessing quick thinking. This is where skilled interviewers shine. Thoughtful follow-ups and challenges can still evaluate real-time problem-solving without turning the process into a guessing game. Providing candidates with clear expectations, whether exact questions or a detailed framework, creates a fairer and more inclusive process. Even for roles involving ambiguity, providing context about challenges is key. Ambiguity on the job rarely exists in isolation. It comes with collaboration, resources, and time to strategize. Interviews should reflect that reality. At the end of the day, the best hires are not the ones who survive high-pressure, artificial scenarios. They are the ones who thrive when given the tools and space to succeed. What is your take? Should interviews mirror the real world, or is there still value in keeping candidates on their toes?

After navigating the remote staffing landscape for over five years, I've acquired invaluable insights that have significantly enhanced my approach to conducting remote interviews, especially in the legal realm. Here are four practical tips to elevate your remote interview game: ✅ Stay away from cell phones: Encourage the use of the equipment that will be part of their work. This will help you determine how good the connection and hardware is. ✅Set the Virtual Stage: Remote interviews lack the traditional office setting's tangible environment, but that doesn't mean you can't curate a professional backdrop. Or an appropriate space. It’s best if they interview in the space that will be their recurring virtual office. ✅ Probe Beyond the Resumé: Remote interviews often demand a more in-depth exploration of a candidate's skills and adaptability. Go beyond the surface-level questions and dig into real-world scenarios. Think outside the box! ✅ Flexibility is Key: Remote work requires a unique set of skills, and adaptability is chief among them. Discuss how candidates have navigated unexpected hurdles while working remotely in the past. ✅Make Writing Part of the Process: Working with someone who is not located right beside you will involve tons of written communication. Use the tools in your Zoom, Google Meets, Teams chat to test their written skills with some questions or a scenario. Mastering the art of remote interviews is an evolving process, and these tips have proven invaluable in my journey. Embrace technology with a user-friendly mindset, create a virtual connection, probe beyond the resumé, and prioritize flexibility. Together, these strategies will not only streamline your remote interview process but also ensure you're selecting legal professionals who thrive in the dynamic world of remote work. ------------------------------------ 🔔 Hit my Bell for weekly tips on law firm staffing, delegation,and leadership. 🌎 Visit Get Staffed Up for more information on how to delegate your way to FREEDOM! #lawfirm #lawyers #leadership #getstaffedup #virtualassistants

Many job interviews these days are virtual Getting an interview is hard enough And it pains me to see candidates miss out on job offers for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability to do the job Here are some things that will help you improve your odds of showing well on virtual interviews Some of these have lessons that I personally learned the hard way 1) Carve out 20 minutes before the interview. Block your calendar. It's worth it. It'll give you time to collect your thoughts and to get into an interview mindset. Give yourself a pep talk. Reread the job description. Practice your pitch. A warmup will do you wonders. 2) Test the tech. On your meeting invite/calendar invite, you'll see what platform the interview will be conducted. You can easily tell whether it will be Zoom, Teams, or something else. You might need to download an application onto your computer. You might need to configure your webcam / mic. Maybe it is a phone interview and someone might give you a call on your cell phone. Figure it out ahead of your interview. None of this should be a surprise or confusing. If you have any questions, sort it out with the recruiting team ahead of your interview! 3) Control your environment. Fix your lighting and your background. Look at yourself in the camera. Ask yourself if you are presenting the best version of yourself. Use a digital background or a blurred background if necessary. Put your other devices on silent. Make sure you won't be interrupted by others 4) Try to be engaging. Ask questions during your interview. Show some enthusiasm if you can. Speak clearly and concisely. If you catch yourself drifting or rambling, you can always correct course .. try not to double down on it. Make eye contact with the interviewers. 5) Follow up. Send a thank you note after the interview. It takes a couple of minutes. You lose nothing. You've already invested all this time and effort. You might as well go the extra mile at the end. Maybe it will help you. Maybe it won't. But why risk it? 6) Move on to the next application .. the next interview. Don't overthink or playback the interview. If you truly believe you have an opportunity to improve, go ahead and make some changes for your next interview, but don't try to dwell on the past. Rarely does something good come out of stressing yourself out. That's about it Getting an interview is evidence enough that someone believes in you Do the best you can to make a compelling case for yourself And that's more than you can ask of yourself #jobsearch #jobseeking #jobs #jobsearchtips #layoffs #layoffsupport