Tips for doing Skype interviews

Many companies are preferring to use Skype to conduct first round interviews.  They allow other corporate stakeholders the opportunity to attend the interview a candidate and they are also more efficient for companies in managing both their time and resources.

Some candidates find it easier to present themselves in the comfort of their own home while others struggle with this style of interview.  Some candidates have difficulty with the fact that they cannot pick up queues from the interviewer regarding their answers that they would otherwise receive from body language during an in person interview.  Others that have below average communication skills to begin with, find that a Skype interview only further hurts them in trying to deliver a favourable presentation.

Here is my list of tips for candidates who will be interviewing via Skype:

1.

Try to conduct the meeting from a home office that looks professional.  Tidy and professional backdrops can speak volumes about a person as oppose to a kitchen table or some other room that does not set the tone for a business meeting.

2.

Test the technology beforehand.  Make sure that you are familiar with display buttons and how to navigate.  This also suggests one’s affinity for technology.

3.

Test the lighting to ensure that there is enough lighting and that there are not shadows that are affecting the image on the screen.

4.

Ensure that there are no distractions.  No house phones, cell phones, alarms, dogs or screaming children should be in the vicinity.  Not only can it distract from delivering a good presentation, it can also distract the interviewer and also present some doubt regarding attention to detail or suggest that the interviewee is not serious about the meeting.

5.

Consider any time zone changes.  It would be a shame to miss an important interview because of miscommunication or because of an error in preparation.

6.

Maintain solid eye contact by looking at the webcam and not the screen.  This is the equivalent to eye to eye contact.  Remember that the camera records smiles so loosen up and deliver the details naturally.  When you scan away or look around the room you can appear to look untrustworthy or indifferent.  Keep this in mind.

7.

Choose the colours you wear carefully.  Certain colours like Blue (almost any shade) look great on video while reds and “hot” colours can appear too bright on screen.

8.

Appearance is essential and remember that your face will be the focus for this format of meeting.  It gives a new definition to the term “face time.”  Conduct  a check in the mirror prior to the call so that you ensure that you look your best.  Higher quality video just like high definition television can be very kind or very harsh for up close shots.  For women, Cargo is a make-up company that is famous in Hollywood for making foundations and other products that work well in high definition environments.

9.

Keep notes close by in bullet form that you want to deliver during the interview.  Do not force them in the meeting but insert them naturally into the conversation.  This is a great advantage of being the only one in the room during your interview so use it to your advantage. 

10.

Keep a glass of water close by but in a safe area so that any hand gestures do not produce any spills on the hardware or keyboard.

11.

Be prepared for the meeting.  This is an interview so make sure that you are as effective as you would be if you were meeting the company in person.

12.

Record the interview.  There are some software tools that allow for this to be done.  One of my candidates used “Pretty May” to record their last meeting.  This will allow you to review the meeting and learn from the experience.

13.

Remember to send a thank you note.  You can send the message to the interviewer via Skype in case you do not have an email for them.

Farewell,

Mike