Virtual Job Search Basics – Acing a Virtual Job Interview

With the growing popularity of homeshoring and outsourcing to home-based workers right here in the US, there are a lot of people eager to apply for one of these positions. Virtual positions are popular with employees because of the flexibility and convenience they allow. However, for the employer, work from home positions are popular because it allows them to hire from a large applicant pool – allowing them to pick and choose from a large range of talents and skills.

If you’re applying for a work-from-home customer service job, virtual assistant job, or any other virtual office job, there’s a lot of competition out there. It’s almost a given that you will need more than just a desire to work from home. Legitimate work from home employers receive thousands of applications each week. This means you will have plenty of competition during your virtual job search. But this does not mean you shouldn’t apply. What it does mean: You should do everything in your power to make sure that you present yourself as a professional.

If you have prior customer service experience and other skills that work-from-home companies are looking for, then you should apply for a position and begin preparing for the phone interview. The phone interview is the equivalent of the face-to-face interview when applying for one of these virtual positions.

Preparing for a Phone Interview

The phone interview is perhaps the most important part of the application process, especially if you want to work from home as a customer service representative. The job tasks of those working in customer service include:

Taking orders Confirming flight information and answering other questions Researching past payments Problem solving Answering questions about services the company provides Handling complaints in a professional manner
If you can’t speak with HR or a hiring manager about your qualifications, past job performance and other topics in a professional manner, most companies will not offer you virtual employment. Before the phone interview, make sure you learn more about the following:

Background of the company Products and services the company sells How to handle confrontational situations over the phone How to speak clearly How to use computer equipment the company uses

You should also create a list of skills you feel qualify you for a virtual position. These can be basic skills such as problem solving, speaking to others in a professional way, or being detail oriented. Plan on sharing a few stories about how you used problem solving skills to diffuse a situation in previous job or how you managed to earn the trust of a new customer or client. This will show your dedication to the job.

You can also create a list of questions you have about the company, its procedures, and training options. This will show hiring mangers that you’re serious about delivering a quality service and becoming a valuable member of the team.

Find a Quiet Place

One of the biggest factors in preparing for a phone interview will be the amount of noise that surrounds you. Most people fail to consider that background noise usually ruins their chances of working from home. Because one of the requirements of most companies is the ability to limit your distractions during your shift, hiring managers who hear a lot of background noise during the interview will assume that you can’t meet this requirement.

If you have a quiet place in your home where you plan to work, make sure you conduct the phone interview there. Mention the fact that you have a home office and time during the day when you will be free from distraction.

Take the same steps in preparing for phone interview as you would any other interview. Keep in mind that if you make it to this stage of the hiring process, the chances of receiving a job offer are good. Maintain your professionalism and show the interviewer your personality so they can determine if you’re a good fit for the virtual positions they have open.

By: Melissa Brewer

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