Do you have a job interview coming up that will be conducted remotely? If you are currently preparing for one, you may be worried about how to know if the role will be right for you. After all, when interviewing remotely, you lose the chance to meet your future colleagues and managers face-to-face, and generally get a feel for your potential workplace.



Although it may be an interview format you are not familiar with, there are many other ways to determine whether you will be happy at that company and in that position. So, if you do have a remote interview scheduled, here are some tips to decide if the job is right for you.

Do your research on the company beforehand

Like any interview, whether that be in person or online, it always pays to do your research on the company prior to the interview. Visit the company’s website to find out more about them and what they do, as well as their vision and values to see how well they align with your own. Also look at the company’s social media pages and the profiles of their employees, to gain greater insight into what they promote, support and value.

It can also benefit you to analyse the language in the organisation’s job advertisements. What does the advert tell you about what it might be like to work there? Is the language inclusive? Are the roles and responsibilities clear and attainable, and do they align with your experience? Examining the style of writing can tell you a lot about the job, but also about the company and how they might operate.

Find out from people who have worked there

As you are conducting research on the company, it is also helpful to investigate review platforms, such as SEEK or Indeed, to find out what others think of the company. It can also be a good idea to do a search of your networks on LinkedIn and contact anyone you know who has worked there. Hearing personal experiences from internal employees can give you a greater picture of the company culture and what it might be like to work there.

From an ethical perspective, there are also sites such as the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre that can help you find ratings on larger companies. You can search specifically on a company in relation to the issues that are important to you and see where the organisation stands on them.

Assess how the interview is conducted

During the interview itself, it’s important to assess the interviewer in terms of how they talk about their company values and culture, as well as the way they speak and their body language. While it may seem more challenging to assess their body language in a virtual interview, it is still possible. Look at what their posture is like, whether their arms are crossed or open, their hand signals and gestures and if they are smiling while you are talking. Their body language can tell you a lot about how engaged and invested they are in you.

Other things you might want to note are whether or not the interview runs smoothly. Do they begin the meeting on time? Does the conversation flow naturally?

Reviewing how the interview was run can give you an idea of how the company may operate or what management is like. This might help you decide whether this is a company you would like to work at or not.

Ask questions about the role and the company

Remember that the interview, whether remote or face-to-face, is a two-way street. It’s not only an opportunity to convince the interviewer that you’re suitable for the role, but a chance to ask questions that will help you decide whether the position is right for you. When preparing for the interview, think about the questions you could ask that will help you find out more about your role and responsibilities, the team environment, as well as the company culture. There are various questions you could ask, such as:

• Where do you see the company in five years?
• What does an average day in this role look like?
• What are some of the challenges I might face in this role?
• What is your favourite thing about working at this company?

If there is not an appropriate time to ask these questions during the interview, then have them ready to ask at the end.

At the end of the interview, take some time to reflect. Think about how the interview was conducted, what was said, and the research you did prior. Reflecting on this, as well as trusting your instincts will help you make the best possible decision. For more useful career tips and advice, visit our career resources page, or contact Bayside Group today.