As more and more people around the world work away from their desks – including hiring managers – remote job interviews have become more and more common. They are not only more convenient, but also less expensive than face-to-face interviews if you are talking to a candidate from another city or province.

While most managers have probably attended online meetings of some sort, not all of them know how to conduct a video interview. Here are some tips to help you prepare for and get the most out of a remote interview.

Don’t try to improvise. Although they are becoming more and more frequent, online interviews do require some preparation. As the interviewer, it is your responsibility to set expectations with the candidate in advance regarding the details of the remote interview. Determine who will make the call, what online meeting platform you will be using, and give the candidate the names and titles of any other people who might join the interview. Clear communication of the interview details will put the candidate at ease and make the whole process easier.

Prepare your technology to avoid technical problems. Technical test your video conferencing platform – the most common are Skype for Business and Zoom – a day or two before, giving yourself plenty of time to adjust if something doesn’t work. Check your computer’s camera, microphone, and an internet connection, and make sure you know your login details, especially if you haven’t used the app or video conferencing tool for some time. If you’re using your laptop or tablet, check your Wi-Fi connection and make sure your gear is charged and ready to go.

Have a back-up plan. What if, despite all your preparations, the platform you planned to use does not work? Make sure you have the candidate’s email address and phone number handy for easy contact. In this case, you could have a phone conversation instead of a video interview.

Another common problem, especially if you or the candidate is working from home, is bandwidth. If multiple people are online in an apartment or house at the same time, it can cause delays or other issues with video conferencing tools. While this is not ideal, you can try to resolve this issue if it occurs, by disabling the video feature on the app you are using during the interview. You will still be able to talk to each other on the platform you are using, but without the visuals. You can also try to schedule the interview for a time when there are fewer people online in your home.

Minimize distractions. Turn off alerts and dialogues during the interview and put a note on your door stating that you are not available. Avoid conducting remote interviews in high traffic areas of your home or in public places. It distracts those around you and the interviewee.

Also, try to cut down on travel during an online interview. If you are constantly moving or walking, it may be difficult for the other person to concentrate on the conversation.

Look professional. Dress as if you are going to work, even if you are at home, and make sure that the background the candidate will see during the remote interview is free from any distractions. Many video conferencing apps allow you to set a blank background.

Be prepared. Have a printed copy of the candidate’s CV and your list of questions. You might want to log in a few minutes early to find out if the technology is working and not rush to the start of the interview.

Pay attention to facial expressions and tone of voice. Keep your voice calm and speak clearly, but also make sure you smile and laugh when the situation is right, like you would do it in person. You want to show the other person that you are engaged in the conversation.

Also leave a few seconds at the end of sentences or after asking a question so that you don’t talk too much at the same time. Remember to look at the camera when speaking, not your own image or that of the other person, as tempting as that may be.

Have a strong fence. When the remote interviews end, tell candidates what will happen next in the process and ask if they have any questions. Don’t forget to thank them for their time as well.

Ultimately, you represent your company in an online interview. Knowing how to conduct a video interview effectively will help you give candidates a positive image of you and your business.