How to succeed in a Skype interview

Technology is an amazing thing, and believe it or not, the Internet is not only for Google, Facebook, and Twitter. Many colleges around the country are using Skype, and other video chat services, to conduct interviews with prospective students. This type of interview benefits students who do not live in the area, such as students, from the U.S. and international students.

A Skype interview may sound like a dream come true. You may think that you are able to interview without the added pressure of making yourself presentable. This, of course, is a common misconception. Skype interviews are just as important as if you were walking into an office. 

Here are 10 tips to succeed in a Skype interview:

1.) Be aware of your surroundings. The interviewer is able to see what’s next to you and what’s behind you. Straighten up your room. Remove the clutter, all the wine, cigarettes, stack of papers, or anything else you wouldn’t normally bring with you to an interview. Sit at a desk if you have one. The interviewer will then see you in a professional manner. It shows that you’re organized and confident.

2.) Dress to impress. Although you’re not in the same room with your interviewer, they will still be judging your appearance, so you want to look professional. A nice blouse. A button-up shirt. A suit jacket. A tie. Wear what you would wear to an in-person interview. (If you want to keep your pajama bottoms on, that will be our little secret).

3.) Do a test run. Skype with a friend or contact your Career Center to see if they offer mock Skype interviews. Make sure you’re surrounded by enough light. Make sure they can hear you clearly. Have the person on the other end ask you a few questions and answer them in the way  you would in the interview. They will be able to give you feedback on your interview skills, visibility, tone of voice, and volume. They will be able to see what the interviewer will see. It will give you a chance to fix something before it becomes a problem.

4.) Close all other applications. Technology is often unpredictable. You don’t want to have to explain that you were watching The Hunger Games last night because the movie starts playing mid-interview. You don’t want “Ghangnam Style” to start blasting when you hit the space bar and set off iTunes by accident. Closing all other applications will help avoid that awkward, flustered moment during the interview.

5.) Look into the camera. Don’t look at the image of the interviewer. Don’t look at the thumbnail video of yourself. By looking at the images as opposed to the camera, the interviewer will see your eyes wandering. Eye contact is very important, even in a Skype interview, but in this case it’s eye contact with the camera, not the interviewer.

6.) Be ready for a technological hiccup. Keep your laptop plugged in to avoid a dead battery. Keep a fully-charged phone (on silent) and the contact information for the interviewer next to you at all times during the interview just in case the Skype call is lost.

7.) Speak slowly and carefully. On Skype, there is often a lag in the video, so wait for the interviewer to finish talking before you chime in. Waiting for them to completely finish their sentence gives you a few more seconds to think about what you’re going to say. Take advantage of the fact that you’re video chatting. Use those small gaps of time to collect your thoughts.

8.) Check your username. Your username is the first thing the interviewer sees. Make sure it is professional. Preferably your Skype name should contain your first and last name. Avoid: HoneyBunches, DevilQT, McKracken, or Wino54. Keep it professional.

9.) Minimize outside noise. Put the kids in another room, shut off the TV, put the barking dog outside, and lock yourself in a room. Even the slightest sound can carry through Skype, making it difficult to hear the person on the other side.

10.) Last but not least, prepare your interview materials in an organized fashion, making it easy for you to access them during the interview if necessary. Have your resume, cover letter, references, writing samples, and anything else you may need right in front of you. You’re better off being overly prepared than under-prepared.