A handy tool for college students trying to keep in touch with friends and family in far-flung locations, Skype has become far more than a social aid. Businesses have rapidly begun conducting interviews for jobs and internships via video chatting; it’s more personal than a phone interview, and enables companies to interview non-local job candidates that are unable to travel. Just like any other interview, there are certain things to keep in mind if you want to ace it. In fact, adding the variable of Internet connection into the mix, Skype might even give you more to prepare for! Here are seven tips to help you rock your Skype interviews.
1. Pay attention to your background.
Speaking to an interviewer through Skype means inviting them into your environment. Not only do you want it to look good on camera, but you also want it to reflect well on yourself. If possible, you want to keep it simple but not boring. “I would stay away from a room that’s distracting, with funky colors or gaudy wallpaper,” says Megan Morini, assistant director and business consultant at the University of Miami’s career center. Framing a bookshelf or desk behind you is a great way to add depth to the image your interviewer will see. Just be sure to clean up all clutter and take out the trash! There’s absolutely no need for a potential employer to see Solo cups lying around.
The goal for your interview is to look professional, even though you’re at home. Be conscious of any inappropriate posters you have on the wall behind you, explicit books on your bookshelf, etc. They may have been a gag gift from your sorority sisters, but employers don’t know that!
While you may be tempted to interview sitting on the couch or bed, you’ll definitely want to avoid this. You’ll look far more professional sitting at a desk or table. “What I ended up doing was going to a Barnes & Noble café that had free Wi-Fi to have the interview,” said Elizabeth Tompkins, a senior at the College of William and Mary. “With that simple change of scene I felt more professional. I’m sure it looked better too, not having the background of my dorm room in the video feed.”
2. Wear an office-appropriate outfit.
Just because your interview is being conducted in a less conventional way and from the comfort of home, this doesn’t mean you’re allowed to stay in your pajamas. Because your interviewer can physically see you, wear what you normally would to an interview. While this varies depending on your field, a nice blouse with a blazer is always a solid option. “I would err on the side of caution,” says Morini. “Don’t wear anything too bright or busy. I’d stick with a black or cream-colored top.”
Don’t go halfway with your outfit, either! It can be super tempting to dress for success on the top (what can be seen on camera) and wear casual shorts or sweats on the bottom. But this could end up biting you in the butt – you never know if you’ll have to get up at some point! Your best bet is to dress like you would for a Monday morning at the office.
3. Keep an eye on your lighting.
Your Skype interview is, essentially, your primetime moment. You’re the producer AND the star. “Filming” conditions should be as close to perfect as you can make them so you can look like your fabulous self to your potential employer. If you position your camera in front of a window or other light source, your face will be a dark silhouette on screen. On the other hand, bright overhead or fluorescent lights can wash you out. The best lighting is natural sunlight, but don’t worry if you’re being interviewed after dark or on a rainy day! Any light source in front of you will do. A lamp on either side of your computer/webcam will help avoid looking like you’re under a spotlight, and you can try covering your light source(s) with a cloth to soften the light.
To test out your lighting before your interview to make sure it’s flattering, Morini suggests having a practice interview. “Have a Skype call with a friend, parent or career advisor [from your campus’s career center],” she says. “You can try out your lighting, your background, your Internet feed.” Just like doing a dry run before an in-person interview to practice getting there, a test Skype call could do you lots of favors.
4. Prepare for technical difficulties.
Internet connection can be spotty in the best of times, so always come up with a backup plan. Skype is often full of technical difficulties and can cause audio lag and pixelated video, especially when the connection is bad. If your Wi-Fi is super unreliable, use an Ethernet cable to plug yourself in so you don’t lose service in the middle of your interview.
As much as you may love your laptop, it’s still a piece of technology and doesn’t know not to die during an interview. Keep it plugged in to avoid any potential battery disasters, and quit all unnecessary programs; not only will they be distracting, but they’ll also slow down your computer’s processing (interfering with your video feed) and drain the battery quicker. If all else fails, keep your cell phone handy. “Make sure you have a contact phone number for your interviewer,” Morini says. “If something goes wrong, you can give them a call and go right into a phone interview instead.”
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5. Beware of distractions.
Laptops are a fantastic procrastination tool, are they not? Interviewing for a job on a device that usually sees you checking Facebook or trolling Tumblr could make it extremely difficult to focus. Similarly, you might have a pet running around or friends barging in. If you want to put yourself in the best position to succeed, you’ll have to eliminate these as much as possible. Quit (or at least minimize) the Internet and whatever else you might be working on, and DEFINITELY quit iTunes, Gmail, Facebook chat, etc., and silence your phone; anything that makes noise is a bad situation waiting to happen. Stick Fido in the other room until you’re done, and warn your friends and family about what you’ll be doing. Visitors should stay away and roommates should stay as quiet as possible.
Another huge distraction could be the little image of yourself in the corner of your Skype screen. “Haven’t we all caught ourselves watching our own image instead of the image of the person we’re talking to?” says Morini. “If it’s distracting you, it might be smart to cover it with a sticky note.” She also suggests looking directly into your webcam to give the illusion of looking your interviewer in the eye.
6. Remember that Skype is social media.
Your Skype account is, essentially, a social media profile. A potential employer with your info can click on your name and read whatever information you make public. This includes your profile picture and username. So, sexygirl91, you should really think about changing your username to something that won’t make you want to bury your head in the sand if your boss reads. Your profile picture can be equally as important, especially if the interview is conducted as audio only, as it’ll be front and center on his or her screen for the duration of the interview. Make your photo a professional-looking one; no alcohol, no bikini pics… you get the idea.
7. Treat it like any other interview.
When it comes down to it, an interview is an interview. Even if you’re being interviewed on Skype, there are some things that remain the same. Do your research on the company and your interviewer – don’t be tempted to keep their website open to check facts during the interview. Keep a copy (or a file) or your resume and cover letter on hand in case you need to reference them, or your employer wants to see them. Remember that body language is important – sit up straight, don’t fidget and look your interviewer in the eye (in this case, look directly into your webcam). “Don’t forget to smile!” Morini says. “Smiling can really show your confidence.” And, just like you should do a trial run in getting to an in-person interview, you should do a trial Skype interview. Have a friend on the other end and check your outfit, background, Internet connection, lighting, audio… everything. When you can control so many variables, why leave anything to chance?
I Prepared But Something Still Went Wrong! Now What?
Even with all of the preparation in the world, there are no guarantees that your Skype interview will go off without a hitch. Here’s how you should deal if…
Your Internet Dies or Skype Quits
Reconnect immediately. Everyone is conscious of the pitfalls of technology, and sometimes you just can’t help a glitch. If you’re unable to get back on for any reason, it’s time to give your interviewer an old-fashioned phone call. Apologize for the inconvenience, but don’t dwell on it too much. If you handle stress well, it’ll reflect very well on you to a potential boss!
You’re Ridiculously Nervous
Because Skype interviews involve so many more variables than phone or in-person interviews, it’s understandable that you might be freaking out a little more than usual. You obviously want to calm yourself however you normally do, but Morini recommends being honest with your interviewer. “If you’re feeling a little uncomfortable, you can tell them that this is your first Skype interview and that you’re not used to it,” she says. Of course, this only holds true if it actually is your first Skype interview. But if you’re upfront about your concerns, most interviewers will be understanding.
Your Video Feed Freezes
Your interview is going great, until all of a sudden… ack! The feed of your interviewer is frozen! If you’re in the middle of speaking, finish your thought; glitchy feeds are often one-sided and work themselves out in a second or two. Audio often remains untouched when video freezes as well. However, if you notice radio silence on the other end, ask if there are any problems on their end.
Someone Barges Into The Room
If you warn friends and family ahead of time, fingers crossed they remember that you’re in an interview and are courteous enough to stay away. But if the worst-case scenario happens and someone interrupts, the trick is to not lose your cool. Don’t panic or yell, but be stern and polite in telling them to get out. Try, “Hey, I’m in the middle of that Skype interview I was telling you about. Could have some privacy for a few minutes, please?”
Skype interviews can be stressful, but with these helpful hints, you’ll be able to impress any potential employer that comes calling!