What You Need To Know About Skype Interviews

In this digital day and age, it's not unusual to be invited for a Skype interview, especially if the position you are applying for is geographically far away. More and more companies are attempting to use technology to streamline the interview process, and Skype interviews allow them to quickly weed out the unlikely candidates.

Although a Skype interview takes place in the comfort of your own home, it should still be taken very seriously and treated like a face-to-face meeting. First impressions are vital, even if they take place through a webcam, so be sure to execute these Skype interview best practices:

Dress For The Occasion

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Although you aren't meeting the company in person, dress smartly and in line with the industry. Not only will it boost your confidence, but the interviewer will see that you are serious about the position. Avoid stripey or checkered clothing as these can sometimes be distorted when using a webcam. Also, be sure that what you're wearing doesn't blend in with the back drop; a floating head is sure to distract the interviewer.

Think about your surroundings as well as your personal appearance. There's no point looking the part if you are sitting in a messy and unclean room. Sit in the position you would for the in-person interview, and check behind you to make sure it looks presentable.

Use The Right Equipment

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Ensure that your equipment is up to the task in regards to microphone, webcam, and internet connection. Having a low quality microphone or webcam can make a Skype interview really tricky if you have to keep repeating yourself or the picture is pixelated. Likewise, if your internet connection isn't up to par, there can be awkward delays and a communication struggle.

Be sure to test everything well in advance so you can have plenty of time to fix any technical problems or buy new hardware. When it comes to the actual interview, make sure that you are in a quiet room or, even better, an empty house.

Practice

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Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to video calls. Remember to look at the camera and not the person on the screen, and be sure to speak at a comfortable volume as opposed to shouting. You could consider recording yourself answering made up questions, then play it back to yourself to see how you sound and pinpoint areas you can improve on.

Don't Forget To Smile!

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Smiling comes naturally in a face-to-face interview, but it's something that's easy to forget when you're sitting in front of a computer screen. Just before the interview, try and get into an upbeat mood, and make a mental note to smile just as you would in person. Smiling is a proven way to help reduce nerve and stress levels, and a powerful way to convey enthusiasm. Combining this with good posture helps you appear confident and alert.

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