Tips for Skype interviews

As hiring managers become more comfortable with new

technologies, Skype or videoconference interviewing is

becoming more common. Unlike phone interviews, more

information can be gleaned from Skype interviews,

making them increasingly popular alternatives to initial

phone interviews.

However, this new frontier in interviewing brings with it a

new etiquette and set of rules. Companies have been using

Skype to interview since approximately 2009, with

videoconferencing used before that. Generally, the

interviewer who suggests the Skype interview is

experienced using video technology and likes the benefits

that it provides in the interview process. The applicant

may not be as comfortable and will require additional

preparation.

How to prepare

In addition to regular interview preparation, a job

candidate must also be aware of how they are perceived

via Skype. When the interviewer and candidate can see

each other, factors like setting, body language and

appearance become important parts of the interview and

require some pre-planning. Here are 10 tips for a

successful Skype interview.

1. Choose a clean and simple background free of

distractions

If you plan to do the interview from your home, there is an

opportunity for the interviewer to learn all kinds of things

about you — from your taste in artwork to how many pets

you have. The interviewer does not need this level of

personal information about you.

Keep the backdrop simple. If you don’t have a white wall

to sit in front of, hang a white sheet neatly behind you.

Make sure your chair, desk or table are simple and clear of

excess papers and personal items. Let the people (and pets)

in your life know what is happening and how important it

is and make sure they stay well away from where you will

conduct the interview. Alternatively, libraries often have

clean and neat rooms that can be reserved. This could also

be a great option if you need to borrow a webcam for your

laptop.

2. Light yourself favorably

Do not sit in front of a window or blinds, as these will

wreak havoc with your light and cause you to appear as a

shadowy figure. Overhead lights can be just as bad,

casting harsh shadows on your face. Set up two task lights

on either side of your computer/webcam. Test the light by

doing a dry run with a friend or family member at the

same time of day that your interview will occur.

3. Make sure your hands are free

Even if you think you don’t, you talk with your hands and

your body as well as with your mouth and facial

expressions. Make sure the camera has a good shot of your

head, shoulders and hands. This will require you to use a

laptop or a desktop computer, not a smartphone or tablet.

Smartphones or tablet devices often require you to hold

them at awkward angles and limit your ability to express

yourself while speaking.

4. Sit up, lean in and look at the camera

Take time to pick the right chair. Stay away from an easy

chair or a big desk chair that swivels and leans back, as

these will make you appear too relaxed. Pick a chair with a

straight back and sit with proper posture.

You want to lean in like a news anchor does. This allows

the interviewer to see your facial expressions. Make sure

your hands are still visible. As tempting as it may be, don’t

fixate on your picture in the corner of the screen. This

gives the impression you are not making eye contact.

Instead, minimize your picture to the corner and look

directly into the camera.

5. Confirm that your sound is audible and your camera is

on

Clarity is important. Before the interview, test your

microphone, speakers and camera with a friend or family

member to be sure that they are all working optimally.

6. Avoid technical difficulties

The internet is not foolproof. It is of the utmost importance

to ensure your internet connection works properly during

a Skype interview. Ideally, you should plug your computer

into an Ethernet port, which is far more reliable than

wireless.

7. Connect your “handles”

It is a timesaver to pre-connect with each other. Etiquette

would have the interviewer pre-connect with you.

However, they may request that you pre-connect with

them due to time constraints. It is very important you use

a professional Skype name. “Carman1962” or

“Beerlover1992” are not names that will represent you

well. Even if you have to open another account on Skype,

make sure you choose something professional. If your

name is already taken, try your name with your industry

or function (jsmith_accountant or jsmith_CPA, for

instance).

8. Be enthusiastic

Just like a phone interview, sometimes people come across

as wooden in Skype interviews. Make an effort to smile

and act as pleasant and upbeat as possible.

9. Be prepared

Just like an in-person interview, you need to be prepared.

Have your resume, the job description and your notes

about the company and the role in front of you. Make sure

you have your questions written down. Always err on the

side of having too many questions prepared. Some

questions will naturally be addressed during the course of

the interview. When the interviewer asks if you have

questions, they are testing to see how much research you

did and your interest level. If you wrote down a lot of

questions but all of them were answered, at minimum you

can show the interviewer that you had questions prepared

and compliment them on their ability to share all the

information. If there is not time for all your questions, you

may have another chance to ask them at the second

interview.

10. Dress for success

Avoid stripes or houndstooth type patterns because they

read on camera like a strobe light. It’s best to wear dark

colors with accents of color in a tie or for ladies in a shirt

under a suit jacket. Steal a tip from news anchors and sit

on the back of your suit jacket if it is long enough. This

will assure that the front of your jacket lays smooth against

your body and give you the most polished look.

You may be tempted to wear a jacket and a blouse or shirt

on top and jeans on the bottom, but resist. You would be

surprised at how many wardrobe malfunctions can happen,

and even if you think you are totally prepared, there’s

always the possibility you may have to get up from your

chair briefly. The camera will catch everything. Dress 100

percent as you would for a real interview, because this is a

real interview.

Practice makes perfect

As mentioned throughout these tips, practice makes

perfect. A trial run with a friend before the actual

interview will help work out many unknowns that could

sabotage the interview. When you know things went well

in the practice session, you will have that much more

confidence when it counts!