Top 10 Skype Interview Tips

Many universities and firms have decided to move a step towards digitization and conduct online interviews via Skype.

Although Skype interviews have existed for quite a while now, it is more essential and necessary than ever. In fact, think of excelling at a Skype interview to be a skill. Although a Skype interview does let you be a bit more casual with yourself, it can still count as a job interview and most of the times it is.

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Moreover, there are many silly mistakes that one can make in a Skype interview which could actually ruin your chances of getting the job or the admission that you need. This is why we have rounded up a good number of experts recommended tips for acing a Skype interview. Follow these as much as possible so that you can greatly magnify your chances of landing that dream job!

Don’t be too casual

This is an unspoken rule of taking a Skype interview. Since you are at the comfort of your own home, you can be a bit more casual than when you are at a physical interview. You don’t have to get multiple files and papers scanned and ready in order to add to the resume.

However, what you need to do for a Skype interview is to still maintain a certain sense of decorum. You would do well to keep it formal enough so that your interviewer knows that you will take the matter seriously, whether at home or otherwise.

It’s all about the angles

Since this is an online Skype interview, you will obviously need to make sure that your camera is set correctly. Even the setting up of your camera is an important factor of the Skype interview. If you set the camera down too low, then your interviewer can implicitly take it as a sign of arrogance. This may hamper your chances as well. In fact, whenever there is an interview, you are creating a sort of power dynamic between the interviewer and the interviewee.

So, you need to keep the camera angle and height in such a way that it is at eye level. Moreover, try to make the camera feel natural yet at an angle that can show off your most flattering side.

Focus, focus, focus

Since the Skype interview is a different method of interview, you need to ensure that you are in such a situation that enables you to focus on the task at hand. The place you are taking the interview from may not be your natural work environment. How you handle yourself in different environments is something that they would be checking to get a basic idea about you as an employee.

Background is important

Speaking of work environments, when you’re at the Skype interview, try to ensure that your background is not distracting. If the background isn’t something meant for an interview, it can distract both you and your interviewer. This would not give a great impression to the interviewer. Avoid places like coffee shops as the number of people and the background noise can be disconcerting.

Trials galore

It can happen that you have thought of the best background and area for your Skype interview. However, what if the internet connection isn’t great at the place? What if you’re not sure how to handle new updates on the app or the website? This can result in unnecessary delays which would adversely impact your evaluation and first impressions. This is why you need to go for a trial run before the actual Skype interview.

Practice

As with everything else, practice is important if you want to exceed in certain situations. Make a list of important questions which the interviewer is bound to ask you on the Skype interview. Write down your answers with the proper thought process and practice giving out the answers naturally. Record yourself while doing so and check if what you’re doing seems unnatural, or can be improved.

Professionalism counts

Your Skype account may have been previously used for contacting friends and family. However, you need to change it to make it look professional for the Skype interview. The interviewer should not be able to see inappropriate statuses or unprofessional and too casual pictures. This will be the first thing that they notice when they call you for the Skype interview. They always make a mental note of these things.

Noteworthy

Make sure that you know well about the college, university or job that you are applying for. Have your information regarding the post ready at hand so that you can refer to them easily. Inserting a snippet about the history of the company or the job profile can go a long way to impress the interviewer with your knowledge. So, have your notes by your side.

Dressing sensibility

Even though this is a Skype interview, ensure that you are dressed well for work. It should look like you are dressed to walk into the office physically for a proper interview. Moreover, try not to wear formal clothes only on your upper body. If for any reason, you had to get up from the chair, then the interviewer will definitely see your boxers or your track pants. Of course, not a great way to end an interview!

Do not interrupt

Make sure that your verbal etiquette during the Skype interview is done well. Speak only when you are asked a question. If you don’t understand something, ask the interviewer to elaborate on the question. Most importantly, do not interrupt the interviewer when they are saying something. These are basic verbal etiquettes which go a long way in showing the interviewer that you know your manners!