Skype Interview Tips

Skype interviews are proving to be beneficial for the candidates, especially students, as they do not have to travel. Following Skype interview tips will help students to make an impression in front of the interviewer. 

1. Keep Your Eyes on the Camera, Not on Screen

Looking straight at the video camera is the right way to keep direct eye contact with the hiring manager. Maintaining eye contact in face-to-face and Skype interview is one of the basics.

2. Dress Professionally

When it comes to dressing, consider that you appear for an in-person interview. Interviewers note your dress code. Therefore, you must appear in the professional dress code. Your overall look should be neat. 

3. Keep Your Surroundings Tidy

Background of the area that you choose for the interview should not be messy. Remove any distracting item. Make sure only you are the focal point on the screen during the session. 

4. Prepare Well Before the Interview

Get complete knowledge about the job description and the company. Demonstrate that you are very well aware of the job requirements. Also, you have to show your passion and determination to perform well. 

Also Read: How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself?

5. Close Other Programs on your PC/Laptop

Getting notifications from other apps on your system is distracting. Therefore, make sure you close all other windows on your system. 

6. Keep Notes

Do not hesitate to keep notes with you. Also, keeping a copy of your resume would be useful during the session. One of the advantages of Skype interview is that you do not have to memorize all the things. You can note down all the essential points on a sheet. However, do not keep eyes off the camera for a long time.

7. Do Not Rely Too Much on the Notes

The notes serve as a quick reminder. You should mention the essential points. Do not write long descriptions; also, do not spend too much time reading from the notes. Interviewers want to evaluate your confidence and intellect; they are not testing your reading skills. So, if they get an impression that you are relying too much on notes, they won’t get impressed. 

8. Avoid Unwanted Noise.

If you have pets in your house, make sure their noise is not audible during your session on Skype. Find a calm and quiet place and keep all the distractions away from you. Additionally, tell your family members not to speak loudly when you are on Skype with the interviewers.

Throughout the interview, do not leave your seat. Do not ask interviewers to wait and you will come back in a while. Remember, you have to sound professional. Interviewer’s time is precious and unnecessary things may annoy them. 

9. Make Your Profile Professional

Your profile picture and your Skype username are the first things that interviewers see. So, be sure they both are interview-appropriate. If you realize you do not have a professional-looking picture and username on Skype, you can edit your details to make them appropriate.

10. Watch Your Gestures

Give positive gestures but avoid too much body movement. You should look calm and composed. Your facial expressions should not reflect any signs of nervousness. Relax your shoulders and avoid stiffness. 

Also Read: How to Answer-What is your Greatest Weakness in an Interview?

11. Do Not Speak Too Fast

Some people are habitual, fast speakers. Remember that interviewers may not understand your words clearly if you speak too fast. During the interview session, you have to maintain a medium pace so that you are audible to the interviewers. Make sure you are delivering every single word correctly. 

12. Keep the Interviewer Engaged

For a successful interview, your interviewer must keep their attention to your conversation. For this purpose, keep your answers short and to the point. Avoid too many details. You need to be attentive all the time. First, listen to them carefully and then deliver your answer. 

13. Follow Up

Sending a formal thank, you letter after the interview will be essential for you too. You can send a Thank You letter via email or by post. Do not use Skype to follow up unless the hiring manager requests that. 

Common Mistakes during the Skype Interview

1. Giving an Interview with a Casual Approach

Treat the Skype interview as if you have appeared in person in front of the interview. Do not be casual. Some students think they can give a conversation while sitting on their bed with a laptop on their lap and with casual dress. This is not the right approach. Make Sure, you are fully attentive and sitting on a proper chair with a professional dress code. 

2. Not Checking the Front Camera and Speakers Before the Actual Interview

It will be the worst case if you find out on the interview day that your camera or audio system is not working. Always perform a test run at least a day before so that you could avoid any hassle. You have to make sure the person at the other end could hear and see you correctly.

3. Not Adjusting Your Camera’s Angle

Adjust your camera to the level where you can look straight into that and not down at that. It will enable you to have a natural look. 

4. Ignoring Your Background

Not all the students are organized, and often their surroundings are messy. Before the interview, make sure there is no mess behind you. The interviewer would not like to see your dirty clothes or pillow in the background. They only want to focus on you, your confidence level, and your interpersonal skills. 

5. Not Maintaining Eye Contact

Sometimes, candidates do not maintain proper eye contact with the interviewer. Eye contact is one of the fundamentals in both face-to-face and Skype interviews. If you look here and there instead of looking straight into the camera, you won’t be able to engage the interviewer. Furthermore, they may get the impression that you are not confident. 

Students need to prepare well before appearing for the Skype interview. They should be in the professional dress code from head to toe. Look straight into the camera, and double-check audio and camera at least 24-hours before the interview.