Remote interviews – what you need to keep in mind

Let’s start with the good news: adesso hasn’t stopped growing – we welcomed almost 1,500 new adessi to our company in 2020 alone. This demonstrates that adesso continues to be on the lookout for talented IT experts and professionals.

The coronavirus has continued to make life difficult in 2021 and nobody can be certain about what will happen next. That’s why we’re still holding a lot of interviews remotely. I’m sure that you’ve also discovered how important digital communication has been throughout the pandemic – but also how different it is. To help you prepare for this perhaps unfamiliar situation, I’ve put together a few important tips to help you out.

Be prepared

There is really no difference between preparing for a virtual interview and a face-to-face one. Before your interview, do some research into the services we offer and find out about our culture, how we work at adesso. It also can’t hurt to take a look at our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Xing pages either. This is where you’ll be able to find some initial information about the people you’ll be doing the interview on Microsoft Teams with.

One thing I can’t stress enough is to make sure you read the job ad properly! What exactly is it that you’ll have to do in the role? What does the ad say about the culture and how the team works together? Which requirements are set in stone and which skills are preferred but not absolutely necessary?

Feel free to work out in which aspects you fit the bill so that you’re ready to answer any questions that might come your way.

But the most important thing is: be authentic!

Don’t get caught out by temperamental tech

We recommend that you check the hardware and software that you’ll be using works properly the day before so that you don’t get a nasty surprise when it’s time for your interview.

Don’t forget about your Internet connection If there are certain rooms or corners where the connection isn’t quite as strong, please avoid them for the interview. Pick a neutral location in your home – somewhere that colourful artwork on the wall or shelves filled with books won’t distract the others on the call from you as a person. We highly recommend sitting in a chair that you find comfortable.

Position your camera so that people can (literally) look you in the eye when they’re talking to you. It’s also important to pay attention to the lighting in the room so that they can see you clearly.

Sound is also important. It’s best if you use a headset for the interview. Try to avoid distracting noises from your surroundings so that you stay focused on the task at hand.

Just because the interview is happening remotely doesn’t mean you can’t exercise your curiosity. Use it as an opportunity to have a conversation from which both parties learn about the other. Think about at least three questions that are important to you beforehand. Remember, it’s not just your first impression that counts here, but also the last one.

Things to avoid

When it comes to choosing an outfit, wear exactly what you would if you were going to a face-to-face interview. The fact it’s a virtual interview doesn’t change anything. We don’t recommend wearing a shirt with tracksuit bottoms or a polo shirt with board shorts. My tip is to pick your outfit according to the occasion. You can communicate convincingly when you feel comfortable.

Don’t chew gum in an attempt to stop yourself feeling nervous. If you’re someone who clicks a biro out of habit, then find something else to keep your hands occupied – something like a small stress ball is a good substitute.

Water is still the healthiest beverage out there, so we recommend having some to hand while you talk to our managers. It’s best to have a glass poured in advance rather than drinking from the bottle directly.

We wish you good luck, we hope your interviews go well and we look forward to welcoming you soon as an adessi.

Would you like to learn more about exciting topics from the world of adesso? Then check out our latest blog posts.