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Nailing Your Skype Interview

Job interviews in the past look much different than they do in our society today. With the rise in technology, Skype interviews have become more of the norm. Nailing an in-person interview is often what people practice and prepare when applying for a job. However, how do you prepare and ace a Skype interview? It may seem awkward at first, however, Skype interviews have their perks along with their downfalls. The key is taking these kinds of interviews as seriously as in-person interviews.

Tips for Nailing Skype Interviews:

Smile for the Camera
Throughout the duration of your Skype interview you may be tempted to look at your screen, or watch yourself as you talk. However, to the person on the other end of the call, this may seem like you are not making eye contact with them. Looking at the camera gives the illusion that you are maintaining eye contact with the interviewer, which is key in any interview setting. It is also important to smile! Since you are not in the physical presence of another person, it is easy to forget to show off those pearly whites. Smiling not only makes the interviewer think you are a positive person interested in the position, but it also psychologically relaxes you as well.

Set a Backdrop
Although you are the major focal point of the interview, an employer can still see what is behind you. Having a messy bedroom as the background of your interview does not look professional and may affect how the interviewer perceives you. Setting up the interview in front of a blank neutral colored wall works perfectly. Along with having a proper background, it is also important to have the interview in a quiet room with no distractions. These distractions may make you feel nervous or anxious and calls the interviewer’s attention away from you.

Handle Technological Glitches Appropriately
The most dreaded part of a Skype interview is surely the fear of disconnection, or technological glitches. If you experience a glitch during the interview make sure you handle it appropriately. Stay calm and explain the situation to the interviewer. Interviewers have had their fair share of technological glitches, therefore, they are bound to understand. If there are too many issues with the connection ask to restart the call in order to give them a quality interview. The glitches will not ruin your chances, but how you handle them could have a larger effect on how the interviewer judges you against other candidates.

Relax, smile, and be the best professional self you can be! For more tips visit our website!

The Skype Interview: How to Prepare and Succeed

Interviews can be nerve-wracking enough when you have to interview over the phone or in person, but what do you do when you have to interview over Skype? First, take a deep breath. Second, check out these tips on how to have a successful interview over video chat:

1. Get to know Skype.
Make sure you are familiar with Skype and how it works. Practice with a friend who has Skype to make sure you have a strong internet connection and your audio is clear and you are easily understood.

2. Dress like you would for an in-person interview.
Even though you don’t have to walk into an office, definitely dress professionally for a Skype interview. This will show your potential employer that you can present yourself in a professional manner. And please wear something appropriate from top to bottom because you may think that you can just look professional up top, but say your computer falls and you have to pick it up, you don’t want them to see your pajama pants or cut-off shorts.

3. Analyze your setting.
Make sure the lighting is good and that there is nothing in the background that could reflect poorly on you. Also be sure to pick a quiet environment. You don’t want to have to repeat yourself multiple times if you’re at a busy Starbucks or at home with kids running around. You want to be focused and relaxed so find an environment that allows you to be that way.

4. Keep eye contact.
You definitely don’t want to seem distracted in the interview and one way to look focused and stay focused is to make eye contact. The only way to keep eye contact on Skype is by looking directly into the camera. If you find the tiny video box that shows yourself distracting, cover it with a post-it note.

5. Plan for technological difficulties.
Have your computer plugged in the whole time and have your phone handy in case the internet becomes unreliable. Take a lesson from the boy scouts and always be prepared!

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Online Interview Tips for Success

Online Interviewing - Smile! — Successful Interviewing online is a snap!

Online Job Interview Preparation Tips
Excerpt from the “experts” in interviewing: www.everydayinterviewtips.com

As the internet plays such a critical role in our lives, it also comes into play for our job hunt. Not just for researching target companies or recruiting for open positions, more hiring is done via virtual interviewing than ever before. It saves on travel time and money and it produces accurate results. So, what should you know about online interviewing to be successful? We went to the source, Everyday Interview Tips, to get the scoop. Here is your success plan for interviewing online:

•Prepare Your Workplace
Most likely you are going to be sitting in your home while you are being interviewed. It is very important to prepare the surrounding area where the interview will take place. Remove any posters, artwork or clutter that may reflect poorly on you. Get a paper and pencil ready so that employers do not have to watch you leave your screen at any time. Also make sure that any pets or people you live with are out of sight, and that noise is kept to a minimum.

•Make Sure Your Webcam is Hooked Up Properly
Fumbling with your camera makes you seem unprepared. It is a good idea to practice web chatting with a friend or family member to make sure your webcam is working properly.

•Dress for the Interview
Even though the interview is taking place in your home, it is still a good idea to dress for the interview as though you were coming in to the office. Employers are going to be judging how you are dressed (even if they do not realize it), and you want to make sure you leave the best impression. You should be completely dressed up – including nice pants and shoes – because you never know when the camera may fall or you need to stand up. Plus, you don’t want to be distracted with thoughts that you are actually half dressed.

Online Interview Tips

•Speak Clearly
Webcams do not have the greatest sound systems. Make sure you speak loudly and clearly without any mumbling. Mumbling will not be picked up by the webcam and the employer is going to miss many of the important things you will say.

•Keep All Other Programs Turned Off
The last thing you want is for someone to send you an instant message during your interview. Just as you wouldn’t want your cell phone to ring, you don’t want chat services interrupting your meeting, or other software programs causing your computer to slow down, freeze or crash.

•Facial Expressions and Appearance
Without the interviewer in the room, you might forget that you are being watched, and your facial expressions play a role in your interview success. Make sure you smile and sit up straight just as though you were interviewing in person.

•Feel Free and Ask for Clarification
Your interviewer is going to be in a busy office, and there may be times that you cannot make out what they are saying. Don’t try to answer a question you could not hear or could not understand. Ask for clarification. The interviewer recognizes that webcams can be hard to hear, and it is better for you to admit that you could not hear their question than to answer a question incorrectly.

Success in an Online Interview

Basic interview tips still apply to online interviews. Make sure you research the company, provide positive answers, etc. Online interviews also require some extra preparation with the setting and the equipment. Make sure that you are well prepared for you online interview and you will perform as well as an in-person interview.

Read more: http://www.everydayinterviewtips.com/interview-tips/skills/online#ixzz1km1zic3n