Skype has made it so easy to video chat over PCs and mobile devices that more employers are using it to replace some in-person interviews.
According to a 2012 Census Bureau report, about 13.4 million U.S. workers currently work from home. 18% of candidates have experienced a video interview in the past year, more than double the amount from a year ago, according to a survey by Right Management. 82% of hiring managers have used Skype, and 6% have used pre-recorded platforms.
With remote hiring and work at home on the rise, here are some tips to ace that skype interview:
1 Prepare Your Surroundings ahead of time and set up a professional-looking space that won't distract from the conversation. Set up your camera so that your face is nicely framed. Test also your microphone and lighting.
2. Dress up. Put on the same clothes you'd wear if you were going to interview in-person. If the company is formal, wear a jacket and tie for men or a suit jacket for women. If it's more laid back, wear a business casual shirt or blouse.
Don't give into the temptation to dress up only above the waist. First, wearing the complete ensemble will help you stay in the interviewing mood. Second, if you have to stand up for some reason, you don't want your shorts or jeans to ruin the impression you've made.
3. Have a plan B. Download Skype well in advance of the interview and make sure you have a practice call to a friend to iron out any issues. If you can't hear your interviewer, let them know so they can try to fix the problem."
4. Rehearse and bear in mind how you'll appear from the interviewer's point of view. You'll look them in the eye by looking into the camera, not by watching their image on the monitor. Practice talking to the camera and find the position where you're the most comfortable, so you can sit that way for a long period of time.
5. Pay attention to your body language. Focus on sitting up straight and making eye contact, which is a lot more difficult than it may appear. Lean forward, and nod during the conversation so the interviewers can see that you're engaged.
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