Have a Job Interview But The Kids Are Home? These Tips Can Help

Pre-pandemic— aka a time when most of us worked in the office—a meeting at 2 o'clock usually meant sitting in the boardroom a few minutes prior, maybe going over your notes while sipping your still-hot coffee. These days, though, it can mean anything from taking a call from the dining table (with Cocomelon playing in the background) to logging on Zoom from a locked bathroom, desperate for some peace and quiet.

It's the same story for the job interview. Instead of waltzing into an impressive office clad in sleek corporate wear, you're now supposed to enter a virtual meeting room sans any hitches and looking your best—at least from the waist up. Convenient? It sure is… until your toddler walks into the room and throws a tantrum or your older kid resets the Wi-Fi router because YouTube won't load.

Game over. Or not?

If you're a parent who's job-hunting or trying to keep a job while neck-deep in childcare, we see you. Here are some tips to help you through the digital hiring process even when your kids are (unintentionally) sabotaging your chances. 

1. Plan ahead.

The good thing about job interviews, whether virtual or IRL, is that they're scheduled in advance. This gives you time to prepare and make the necessary arrangements to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. For parents, this can mean anything from shifting things around in your family schedule so you can have as much quiet time as possible, to briefing your kids about a do-not-disturb policy when you're in a meeting.

Other preps you can do: Designate a room that the little ones cannot enter, prepare the family's meals ahead of time, charge your laptop or device, and pick out your outfit in advance. (You want to avoid panicky moments at the last minute!) On the flip side, you can plan everything down to the last detail but things can still go awry. That's okay. Kids, after all, are kids. This is also precisely why it's important to heed the next tip…

2. Get support.

And we don't mean just the "You can do it!" kind. When you're a working parent, having tangible support in the form of a partner or a family member who can literally be there for you when you need them is as valuable as any currency, maybe even more. Interviews are already stressful enough as it is, so you want to do away with additional stressors—especially a fussy little one who can make you lose your "A game" during such an important encounter with your potential boss.

So if you can, ask your partner or a trusted nanny to either take the kids off your hands for a few hours or to come over to babysit while you impress the socks off that hirer. No one's available? Don't fret. You can also get help virtually—like having the grandparents "watch over" the kids via a Zoom call, or asking your partner (who's not there) to keep an eye on them via CCTV.

3. Be transparent about your situation.

Sure, we all put on the best versions of ourselves when we're trying to impress someone, including potential bosses. But as every parent knows, it's easier to "have it all together" when you're not surrounded by tiny humans demanding to be fed or coddled.

That said, if your situation at home is not exactly optimal for a distraction-free meeting, it's good to be honest with your interviewer right from the get-go. With this approach, he or she will likely be more understanding should there be any hiccups. If they're not, then at least you already have an insight into how they treat and respond to employees with children.

In case they ask, you can also talk about your family life a bit and use it as a chance to showcase qualities you have as a parent that can also be beneficial to a company. Some examples: time management, the ability to multitask, and negotiation skills. In fact, according to some studies, parents may actually make better employees than those without a child. The bottom line: Use your status to leverage your strengths instead of making it appear like a liability.

4. Don't let bad Wi-Fi fail you.

What's just as bad as talking over loud voices or a baby wailing in the background? A spotty connection that makes you lag and break up, prompting you and your interviewer to say "Can you hear me?" on repeat. Aside from being incredibly frustrating on both ends, it can also cause you to panic and lose your cool, making you unable to think and answer properly.

To avoid technical difficulties, ensure that your Wi-FI is properly set up and do a test video call with a friend or relative to check if your video is clear and your voice audible. You can also free up more bandwidth by telling family members not to connect too many devices during your interview. In case your connection is beyond awful, consider moving to a different part of the house or switching to a different network (like your phone's hotspot).

Remember: Having good connectivity is crucial in a work-at-home setup, so make sure that you have this technical requirement covered before the interview even starts. (Check out top remote working jobs in Singapore here.)

5. Try to relax.

With so many things that can go wrong during an at-home job interview, it's understandable to be doubly anxious. But no matter how stressful things may be, try to shrug away the anxiety (because it will show!) and force yourself to think positive instead. Even if you're not seeing each other face to face, your interviewer will definitely feel the energy you're bringing into the meeting—and you want that to be as positive as possible.

To ease yourself into a relaxed state, try to squeeze in a 10-minute meditation session to quiet your mind. For a confidence boost, make sure you've practiced your spiel and have done your research about the company you're applying to.

And instead of viewing your kids as ticking bombs, draw happy, inspiring vibes from them instead. In case they make an unexpected appearance behind you while you're on Zoom, the best way to deal is to acknowledge them, maybe even introduce them to the person you're talking to, and then calmly assure your kids that you'll be available once your meeting is finished. You can hit two birds with one stone through this approach: Meltdown averted and interviewer (likely) impressed—because you handled it like a pro.

For more tips on how to perform better at work as well as expert insights and advice, check out our Career Resources page.