Log In A Little Early
Just as you arrive at an in-person interview a couple of minutes early, you should also try to arrive to the Skype interview early. Depending on the Skype settings, you’ll either be able to enter the meeting room before the interviewer, in which case they’ll see you waiting once they’ve arrived, or you’ll only be able to enter once the host has given you permission. In either case, a hiring manager will see that you are eager to chat about the role and adequately prepared for the interview.
Not Doing A Trial Run Before The Actual Interview
Theres nothing worse than firing up your laptop for a video interview and finding out your audio isnt working, or your camera isnt functioning, or your computer needs to update some driver before itll allow the program to run.
Always do a test run at least 24 hours ahead of time so youve got an opportunity to fix any issues that might ariseand that means making sure the person on the other end of the call can hear and see you.
Pick Your Backdrop Wisely
While your interviewer wont expect you to be in a work environment, select a location that is professional and free from distractions. Pick a neutral, tidy, well lit location, with preference for natural lighting. Make sure your source of light comes from behind the screen so it is not shining directly into the camera.
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Check The Employer Skype Name
In order to do a Skype interview, you will need to connect with the employer on Skype a few minutes before the interview. Youll need their Skype username in order to connect. Make sure you find the employer on Skype the day before the interview. You want to allow time just in case you have an issue finding their username.
Tips To Succeed In Your Skype Job Interview In English
Hey there, and welcome to Speak English with Christina, where youll have fun becoming fluent in American English. Im your English coach Christina and today, youre going to learn how to get past that 1st step in an interview, how to succeed in a Skype interview, which is often a filter to see if you can go to the face-to-face interviews.Watch this episode now!
Lots of people say they have difficulties with Skype interviews because of the connection, because its difficult to hear and understand, and its a little scary, right? Yeah! So, today, youre going to learn lots of tips to succeed in your Skype interviews. Lets go!
Lets go!
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Skype Interview: Tips And Questions
The phrase ‘Skype Interviews’ is pretty self-descriptive – video interviews held over Skype.
Video interviews are usually held by companies that don’t have a fixed location, those hiring candidates from different locations, companies looking to cut down on resources, or more recently, companies hiring in the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this blog, we will tell you the nuances of a Skype video interview, and all about how to nail one.
Richard Mcmunns 3 Top Skype Interview Tips
A Skype interview is the perfect way for a hiring or recruiting manager to filter out those people they do not want to invite along to a second, face-to-face interview. It is also a great way to interview candidates who are either overseas, or who would otherwise have to travel a long distance to get to the interview location. Although a Skype interview is not a true measure of someones personality, it is second best in terms of identifying whether or not an interviewee is a strong match for the role they are being interview for. Read the following tips to learn how to pass your Skype interview with the highest scores possible:
SKYPE INTERVIEW TIP #1 Dress for the occasion.
The vast majority of Skype interviews will be performed using both audio and visual. Therefore, because the interviewer will be able to see you, it is important to dress as if you were attending a formal, face-to-face interview. Treat the Skype interview as if it were the real thing! Dress formally for the occasion.
SKYPE INTERVIEW TIP #2 Consider the location for the Skype call carefully.
Before your Skype interview takes place, think about the location in which you will take the call. Make sure it is quiet, aesthetically appealing and the location also has a strong internet connection. You should also ensure you will not be disturbed during the Skype call this is very important, as to be interrupted during the call, will look unprofessional.
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Tip 3 Manage Your Environment
Of course, preparing to tackle a Skype interview is a totally different beast than doing the same for a face-to-face, presenting unique things to think about. Chiefly of which is the fact that your interviewer will literally be able to see into your home the entire time. While this seems slightly odd, it is also unavoidable. So, make sure that your surroundings reflect the persona you wish to convey clean, well-presented, and inoffensive. As clear an area as possible is recommended, as you never know what chord your belongings could strike with someone it is far better to be safe than sorry. Just use your words to express your personality!
Tips For Nailing A Skype Interview
Skype interviews can really be the best of both worlds you still get face-to-face time with an employer while cutting travel out of the equation. And while mastering the interview is a common practice, etiquette surrounding a Skype interview is different from both in-person and phone interviews. Here are 13 tips to help you rock a Skype interview.
1. Look at the camera, not the screen.It is very tempting to watch yourself or your interviewer during a Skype session, but looking directly at the video camera is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer.
2. Dress the part.When it comes to what you wear, treat your Skype interview like an in-person interview and dress professionally from head to toe . A professional dress code with video interviews is expected, not excused.
3. Prepare your surroundings.Pick a quiet place to interview without an elaborate backdrop so that you can be the focal point on the screen. Remove anything distracting behind you and keep it neutral.
4. Practice makes perfect.Doing a run through interview with a friend beforehand is helpful because your first few Skype calls are likely to feel awkward, especially if you have to retrain yourself to watch the camera and not the screen. Play around with everything beforehand so that when it’s interview time, you can shine without being distracted by the program.
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Alexandra Whittaker is a junior at Marquette University.
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For Both Phone And Skype Interviews:
Make Sure You Have Skype Installed
If you don’t use Skype regularly, make sure you have the program installed on your computer ahead of time. Downloading and going through the installation process can take a long time, so you don’t want to do this right before your interview and risk showing up late. If you already have Skype installed, make sure it’s updated and you have your log-in credentials handy so you don’t have to reset your password beforehand.
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Know Who Youll Be Speaking With
Youre going to be a lot more confident in your video interview or Skype interview if you know some general info about the person whos going to be calling you.
So find out their name , and look them on LinkedIn.
Are they an HR person? Or do they have more of a technical background? This can give you clues about the type of questions you can expect. For example, a Software Development Manager is going to be able to grill you a lot more on the technical details than an HR Director.
Make sure youre doing this research when preparing for a Skype interview. Youll be more confident on the video call and better prepared for their questions.
Be Prepared For Technical Issues
Make sure you are in an area with a reliable internet connection to make technical problems as unlikely as possible. If you do experience a technical glitch or a loss of connectivity, always ask the interviewer to repeat the question. If the problem persists, politely mention it to your interviewer and ask to reconnect to avoid missing any crucial information. Enunciate your words clearly, monitor the speed and tone of your speech and make sure that you speak loudly enough. Reassure your interview that you are following by making acknowledgement sounds like hmm or yes.
Test your equipment well in advance as well as immediately before the interview begins and ensure your microphone volume is set to an appropriate level.
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Find The Perfect Location
Remember when Professor Robert Kellys kids cheekily interrupted his live on air interview with the BBC earlier this year, and his wife frantically tried to remove them from the room? It was unfortunate and hilarious , but its situations like those are why jobseekers are advised to choose a quiet, distraction-free location for their video interviews. And, quite unsurprisingly, jobseekers expect the same from employers.
You probably wont have toddlers barging into your office, but still, a quiet conference room or empty office is essential to conduct any kind of interview. Make sure you hang a Do not disturb sign on the door to avoid any unwanted interruptions. You should also check your background and remove any distractions, as well as the lighting.
Talking about distractions, try not to fall prey to on-screen notifications or text messages!
Arrange The Skype Windows
To make sure you’re maintaining eye contact, arrange the video windows within the Skype program appropriately. When you open the software, the window with your hiring manager’s video may be off to the side, so drag it over to be as close to the camera as possible. That way, your interviewer is seeing you look right at them and not anywhere else.
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Six Tips For Skype Interviews
Although seemingly easier than other interviews, Skype interviews can still be quite tricky to master, especially if there are any unforeseen difficulties. To help, JobTestPrep has provided you with a list of six great tips below.
- Be aware of your posture Dont fidget or type during the conversation as this makes you look nervous, unconfident, and distracted, in addition to just being rude.
- Look into the camera You should want to make as much eye contact as possible , so try not to look at your own reflection/image.
- Prepare the space Be in a clean environment as this will help you look prepared and professional. Make sure the space is quiet so that you can hear the interviewer ask his or her questions.
- Test your equipment Be sure your microphone and camera work.
- Dress for the interview Although you might be in the comfort of your own home during a Skype interview, employers do not want to see you in your pajamas. This is still an important and vital interview, so dress for the part.
- Be prepared Have your resume or CV on hand as you might need to reference it throughout the conversation. Additionally, have scratch paper on hand in case the interviewer mentions important information.
Test Your Microphone And Video
Before your interview, test your microphone and video settings to make sure they work. If you go into the interview with working equipment, you’re more likely to send the message that you have adequately prepared yourself for this meeting. Your microphone should transmit your sound static-free and your speakers should work to receive audio from the hiring manager, while your video should be centered and camera clean. To make sure everything is working as it should, visit your Skype settings and perform a test run of your equipment.
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Benefits Of Using Skype For Interviews
Sometimes companies use Skype for first-round interviews . Other times, the entire interview process will be online and companies will use Skype for second-round or even third-round interviews.
For job candidates, the convenience of interviewing from home is a major bonus. It can save you both travel time and money. If you prepare for a Skype interview in advance, it can also be less stressful than interviewing in person.
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Take The Interview In A Quiet Location
The amount of background noise during your interview can affect how well the call goes, so try to set up your computer in a space with the least amount of potential interruptions. Let those you live with know that you’ll be taking an important call and that they shouldn’t disturb you if they can help it. If there’s a chance that an interruption will occur, such as with kids or dogs, be upfront with the hiring manager right away so they aren’t too surprised if it happens. Consider silencing your phone and pausing pop-up notifications on your computer too.
Especially if your new job will require that you take customer or client calls or be a part of a lot of business meetings, your hiring manager may expect that you’ll have a space dedicated to performing your work that will allow you to do so professionally. However, if an interruption happens during your interview, acknowledge it while remaining calm and focused on your discussion.
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How To Do A Skype Interview
Doing a Skype interview over the Internet can save you time and money, since Skype allows you to connect with anyone in the world for free. While you can use Skype as a voice-only service, youll achieve the full potential of a Skype interview with voice and video. Whether youre interviewing for a new job or participating in a media event like a podcast or a Web-based show, knowing the basics of video call protocol will make you shine as a professional.
Use A Professionalskype Username
Although this is self-explanatory, lets clarify. Try to useyour name like Philip Chesney or Philip.Chesney or something similar. Dependingon your name, it may be difficult to get the exact name , so you may have to addan extra number at the end or in the middle like PhilipChesney85.
Avoid using names like IAmTheStrongestManAlive, Prince_Charming, God_father or some other quirky name that will probably raise some eyebrows. Keep it professional. You want to create a great first impression even before you meet the recruiter. A thing as simple as a username can make a difference in making a good or bad first impression.
Do NOT underestimate the negative impact of a poorly chosen username.
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Prepare For Your Skype Interview
JobTestPrep offers an Interview PrepPack that is designed to help you ace an interview and bring you one step closer to the job you’re after. We provide you the tools to pick relevant interview questions and assess your overall interview skills, thus giving you the chance to thoroughly improve as well as highlight your strengths. Start preparing today to ensure your success.
Be Prepared For Techglitches
Earlier I mentioned my story when my internet was cuttingout, so the other person could not hear or see me well. That was a disaster.Tech glitches happen, and you need to be prepared for them. Come up with abackup plan.
How to prepare for a skype interview back-up plan: If you are using your home internet and it goes down, use your phones 4G as a backup. Have your phone and headset ready to rejoin the video conference just in case. Make sure you have the app installed on your phone and save your information for a quick login. Thinking about these things ahead of time will help you rebound in case your connection goes down.
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To Sum Up Our Skype Interview Tips
So, thats it for our list of Skype interview tips! The main point of this blog is that you should treat your Skype interview exactly as you would a traditional one. Ensure you do this by minimising the chance of technical difficulties, and prepare as normal. Although it may be difficult, try to imagine you are sitting face to face, and dont act any differently. Do this, and you will nail your Skype interview and get that job!
For all this information in video form:
For more careers and interview advice, check out the following links:
Skype Interviews: 10 Steps To Being Tech
Be prepared for your international school video interview
An increasing number of international schools are conducting skype interviews. Here are 10 steps to make sure that you are prepared and ready to impress:
1. Make sure you are registered as a Skype user. It is free and easy and doesnt take long to set yourself up. You need to make sure you do this several days before your interview to make sure you have time to practice and be certain that everything is working well. Your Skype profile photograph should be professional and portray you in a positive manner.
2. Let the interviewer, and anyone else who is supporting you during your recruitment process, know your Skype contact details well before the interview and if you know the name and Skype address of your interviewer, add it as a contact prior to the interview.
3. Confirm the time and date of your interview. Make absolutely sure you know the time differences if you are Skyping with someone in another time zone.
4. If you are new to Skype or have never had a Skype interview before, have a practice run with a friend or with your recruitment specialist prior to the day of your interview.
5. Look the part – a good first impression is important. Treat the interview as if it were an actual meeting. Dress appropriately in smart and tidy clothing.
And dont forget, speak clearly, look positive, smile when you can, and remain patient and calm if there are connection problems
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