Tips for interviewing from home.

Many of us are working from home since the pandemic.   The comfort of home can create habits that we may not consider when preparing for a job interview done using teleconferencing.  Here are some tips to insure a successful conversation that are focused on having a professional presence.  We will discuss interviewing tactics in a future piece.  

What does your home workplace look like?  Is it a spare room dedicated solely to work or is it a multi purpose room that your family uses as well?  In either case you should be aware of what a viewer will see when your camera is turned on.  Now is a good time to see.  Turn on your camera and look at the view.  Does the background appear cluttered?  Are there non work things in view like posters, etc?  Take a moment to insure that what is viewed by others is professional, even if that means that you have to provide a neutral background by clearing items or placing a temporary partition behind you. 

One of the great benefits of working from home is a chance to dress more casually and be comfortable.  That may be appropriate at times but treat this like you are meeting with a client for the first time.  Attire should be professional.  

Many of us benefit by being able to spend additional time with our children when working from home.  Pet lovers are often pleased to have their pets nearby as well.  Again, not appropriate for an interview.  Animals should be excluded from your work area for this time, preferably secured in an area of your home that will prevent anyone from overhearing barks.  Children should be instructed not to enter the room during the conversation and you would probably be best served to have someone babysit, visit a friend or other family member or be dropped off at an activity like a sports practice prior to the meeting.  You should also place a note on your main entry to your home telling potential visitors that you are unavailable and please don't knock or ring the door bell.  

These are just a few items to consider to insure that you are perceived in the best possible way.  Good Luck!