Are you looking for a job as a financial analyst? You submitted a killer job application and found out your interview date, but what do you do now? Maybe you already have the Zoom link, but you’re a little nervous about presenting yourself well in a remote interview.
Remote interviews have rapidly become more commonplace because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though most companies have transitioned back to the office – or a hybrid model at the very least – hiring managers are still conducting remote interviews, especially during the initial stages of the hiring process. Thankfully, understanding how to communicate effectively in remote interviews can be a breeze. Here are five key pointers to do well and land a great finance or accounting job near you.
1. Get Familiar With the Interview Platform
Whether it’s Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, you’ll be comfortable as long as you explore the platform beforehand. Interviewing remotely is similar in many ways to interviewing the old-fashioned way, but there are a few things you should be aware of:
- Make sure you login to your platform at least ten minutes ahead of time in case there’s any instability with your internet connection.
- Make sure your microphone and camera work without issues.
2. Check Your Attire and Background
Even though you may be having your remote interview in your living room, stay professional. Make sure you are dressed appropriately, depending on the company’s culture. If you’re looking for an accounting job near you, it’s important to remember that your interviewer is expecting professionalism even though you aren’t in a physical office.
It’s also smart to consider your background during your interview. A clean white background with good lighting works best, but if you don’t have this luxury, focus on brightness and use your interview platform’s blur background feature. You can also use an artificial background to liven up your surroundings.
3. Do Your Homework on the Company
Regardless of whether your interview is in person or remote, doing your search on the company and their culture is vital. Thoroughly review their website so you can become as familiar as you can with their culture, values and specialties.
Doing some background research on your interviewer(s) also goes a long way because it can help you anticipate their personality and prepare you for questions on interview day. This will put you in a better position to get a great accounting job near you.
4. Build Rapport With Your Interviewer
Finding a way to connect with your interviewer is especially important when your interview is remote. Soft skills and body language can be assessed in a remote interview the same way they would in an in-person one.
Stay friendly, open and authentic as you communicate your interest throughout the conversation. When in doubt, be yourself and let your personality shine through.
5. Ask Questions and Take Notes During Your Interview
Just because you’re in the hot seat doesn’t mean you can’t ask questions. Interviews are a conversation, which offer you the opportunity to find out if the role and organization are a fit for you. Asking the right questions can also set you apart from other candidates.
Preparing questions beforehand is prudent and will signal to the interviewer that you’ve done your research; however, don’t be afraid to deviate and ask new questions based on the context of your interview. Being able to think critically in the moment demonstrates tremendous value to any hiring manager, which sets you up to land a good financial analyst job.
Nail Your Remote Interview With Accountability Resources
We are an Austin-based staffing and recruiting firm specializing in accounting and finance analyst jobs, as well as solutions for companies seeking the best talent in the Austin market. We assist job seekers looking for their next career opportunity with the best companies in the area. We are consistently named one of the “Top Executive Search Firms in Austin”, one of the top “Fast 50” Growing Privately-Held Companies in Central Texas, and one of the “Best Places to Work” in Central Texas by the Austin Business Journal, among other awards. Contact us today to find a role you’ll love.