Finding a Software Development Job in the “New Normal”: Keys to Acing a Remote Interview

The current pandemic has forced many sectors to move operations to some sort of home office; however, it must be said that software development has been doing this for some time now; according to Finance Online, a whopping 96% of software development or IT companies allow remote work in some capacity. This means that day-to-day activities are perhaps more similar in this industry than others, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some radical changes in the past couple of years, the main one perhaps being, the new interviewing and recruiting process that companies are putting in place.

Interviewing for Jobs on digital platforms such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, or many others, is becoming more and more ubiquitous, and, as this practice grows, so must our understanding of virtual language, so that we can put our very best foot forward when looking for a new position. Surely there are many strategies to increase your chances of impressing recruiting managers, but we want to share with you some we believe are paramount to leave a lasting positive impression on any interviewer.

Software Developers Have their Tech and their Info Down

We are living in the Age of Technology and you, as a software developer, are in the forefront of this new world order, for that reason, you cannot allow yourself technological hiccups of any kind. Run software and hardware tests that will be used in the interview and make sure that your bandwidth is up to par.

Additionally, the software developer community is known for being knowledgeable and well-informed on everything related to their business, so read up on the latest trends and, above all, research your potential employer thoroughly; this will give you the chance to ask insightful questions about their needs and objectives, and it will show your interest in them as a company.

Prepare the Setting for your Dream Software Development Job

Once you’ve done all the necessary tests and research, it’s time to set the stage for your interview; remember that you will be judged on everything within the frame of your camera, so make sure you present your best and most professional side. You may believe Software Development is not a job or trade group known for suiting up and that being at home this is a more informal affair; this could not be further from the truth.

• It’s important to show that you are taking the situation seriously and respectfully so make the effort to appear well-dressed and well-groomed, perhaps a brand new suit is unnecessary, but a wrinkleless shirt, a clean shave and brushed hair can do it if you’re a man, and if you’re a woman, a clean professional look should suffice.

• Moving on to the space you will be occupying, make sure you show your potential employers that your place is suitable for work, which means ideally, having an office setup, even if it’s inside your bedroom. A bookcase or a well-decorated shelf, for example, can do for an appropriate background, an unmade bed and dirty laundry do not. Make sure you have adequate lighting and that noise levels are managed; again, you’re trying to demonstrate that your home is a good place for working so kindly ask roommates or family members to keep the decibels down and interruptions to a minimum.

• Once you begin, make sure you wave hello and use body language that communicates virtually; Obviously, this setting doesn’t allow for a handshake so a simple hand gesture can go a long way. Always keep in mind that all they can see is what your webcam picks up, so frame yourself at a good distance, sit up straight, and speak clearly.

• As the interview draws to an end, bid farewell with another hand gesture and thank the interviewer for their time. Within 24 hours, it’s a good idea to send them a Thank You email as follow up.

We hope that these tips will help you ace your future interviews. Remember that at Developers.Net we are always looking for top software developers that are willing to share their talent with companies the world over, so, if you’re looking for a remote job, with an excellent work environment, and great benefits, give us a call today!