Six Tips to Make the Most of Your Skype Interview
Modern technological advancements have made communication easier than ever before. We now send instant messages, tweets, and texts every day, as well as being able to video call friends and family on the other side of the world. It’s not just our social lives it’s affected either, these advancements have been felt in the recruiting world too. Interviews and auditions are now commonly held through software such as Skype, meaning applicants can be interviewed without the need for lengthy travel.
But how comfortable are we being interviewed online? Many find the idea of a Skype interview awkward or off-putting at first, due to the disconnect of meeting someone for the first time via a computer, rather than face-to-face. Video interviews make it difficult to read body language and a faulty internet connection can mean conversations lag. Interviewing online is a completely different process and not being prepared could mean missing out on your dream job.
That’s why we recommend you focus on these six areas to make sure you’re prepared for an online interview:
- Timing
First things first, make sure you know when the interview is taking place. If you’re applying for a job cross-country or overseas, check local time zones to ensure you’ll be online at the right time. Be clear with who you have to contact and exchange phone numbers in advance as a backup in case your interviewers are unable to keep a stable connection. Many video call programs also have privacy settings, so check that yours are set to show that you’re both online and available to chat.
- Online Profile
When using Skype for personal calls and messages, it can be easy to overlook your profile if you’re preparing for an interview. You may need to alter your username and profile picture to more professional alternatives. This should be done before sharing your contact information with your potential new employer. If you need help checking over what information is visible, ask a friend to call you and explore which information they can find. They may stumble upon something that needs to be changed or deleted.
- Technical Requirements
You may think that using Wi-Fi is the best option, as it means you can place your computer anywhere in your home, but an online interview demands a steady connection that won’t falter or slow down. Use an Ethernet cable to connect to your internet directly, to ensure you’re getting the best connection possible. Cancel any downloads or updates that may run during your interview and test your computer’s microphone with a quick voice recording. If you voice echoes or your microphone picks up a lot of background noise, consider investing in a headset to ensure your voice is clear during your interview.
- Professional Appearance
Despite the interview taking place online, you should still dress as formally as you would for a face-to-face interview. Make sure you can be seen clearly on-screen, and that you occupy most of the frame. Leave some space between you and the edge of the camera’s image, though do not make your in-room surroundings visible. Speak slowly and clearly, and if you do not understand a question or statement, simply ask your interviewer to repeat it.
- Setting
Find an environment in your home which will be free of distractions. This could be roommates, family or even pets. Place pets in a different room to avoid them disrupting an interview, and speak with anyone who may accidentally distract you during your interview. If possible, ask them to stay quiet or even leave your home just for the duration of your interview to ensure as little background noise as possible. You should also close any programs running on your computer that may post alerts or run updates while you’re using it. Some of these settings may be automatic, so be sure to check your computer’s system settings.
- Notes
A great benefit of having an interview over Skype is that you can prepare notes ahead of time and keep them visible while being interviewed. Write down any information you want to quote, or details that will aid your performance, on sticky notes and place them around your screen. This means you can recall the notes without turning away from your computer’s camera or shuffling through multiple notes (which can be heard on your microphone). You should also keep a copy of any application documents so you can reference them quickly.
Interviewing for a new job is always a matter of preparation. Just remember that an online interview over Skype is quite different to a face-to-face meeting. With the right environment, reliable equipment, and concise notes, you’ll be more than ready to nail your interview and kick-start a brand new career. Have any questions about Interviewing by Skype. Charlotte can be reached by E-mail at Charlotte.Corner@officedepot.com.
