Succeeding in Skype Interviews: 6 things to keep in mind
by Olevia Yuen - Recruitment Consultant | 10/06/2015
Succeeding in Skype Interviews: 6 things to keep in mind
If you are applying for a job from a different country or somewhere you cannot easily travel to, the chances are you may be asked to interview for the position over Skype.
The purpose of this interview is much the same as the traditional face-to-face interview: to allow the employer to assess whether the candidate is suitable for the role and the business.
The big difference is you cannot convey body language effectively when you are not meeting someone in person. On a positive note though you will be able to choose the best location to be seen by the employer. This involves having good lighting and no outside noise or distractions.
Some people who are normally confident speaking in interviews may not find it as easy communicating through a computer or smart phone.
Here are some easy steps you can follow to help you succeed in your Skype interview:
Make sure the internet connection and the video quality is excellent
Practice interviewing over Skype with a mock session involving a friend or family member. This way you can test your internet connection and video quality, giving you a chance to prepare ahead.
To get a better internet connection and sound, you can turn off the Skype audio and speak with the phone instead. Leave the video on of course.
Make sure your place is quiet and free of noise and distractions
Choose a place that is quiet and has no distractions. Let people know that you are interviewing for a job so they won’t accidentally disturb you.
Dress professionally
Wearing a suit or professional dress may be odd at home, but dressing well for the interview will also allow you to be mentally prepared for the interview too.
Prepare as you would for a normal interview
Just like a regular interview remember to have prepared questions, a paper and pen for taking notes and your CV to hand. If possible, stick your notes on the monitor so you can quickly look at it without requiring your eyes to wander too far from the camera.
Look into the camera!
Many jobseekers make the mistake of staring at the screen. The only way to make proper eye contact with the interviewer via Skype is to look into the camera.
Be ready on time!
Make sure you are online and ready to start the interview 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start time. This will help illuminate any last minute technical hitches.
The content of a Skype interview and a traditional interview will be very similar and you will still need to prepare well to get through this stage of the interview process. Many companies are starting to adopt this method for first round interviews as a time-efficient way to screen suitable candidates.
Follow these easy tips and succeed in Skype interviews. Good Luck!
