Skype and video interviews are becoming more common in today’s interview processes. Though they can be awkward at first, they can also be a great tool to allow you to get some “face-time” with a potential employer while eliminating the time to travel and hassle of coordinating schedules or missing work. And though video interviews should be taken with the same degree of seriousness as a phone or in-person interview, there are several things you can do to stand out and showcase your best self. Here are a few tips for rocking your next video or Skype interview:
Do a trial run before the real thing.
Practice makes perfect! You should absolutely rehearse before your first video interview. Calling a friend or family member to do a trial run is a great way to see how you sound and get comfortable. More importantly, do everything you can ahead of time to avoid the miserable “Can you hear me now?” situation. We’ve all been there, and it’s not fun. Make sure all video and audio are working properly so you don’t waste time and make a poor first impression.
Prepare your surroundings and avoid interruptions.
Have you seen the video of the BBC interviewee being interrupted by his kids on live TV? It’s hilarious, but not a good look for a job interview. Pick a location with the least amount of distractions. Or if you can’t be away from potential distractions, like kids and pets, make sure you make everyone aware ahead of time and secure animals away from your interview space.
Something else to consider is the backdrop of your video interview. The ideal setting is a neutral background without clutter, like a blank wall. The worst thing you can do is sit in front of a distracting or inappropriate backdrop. By the way, you should probably just take down that horrible poster from high school anyway…
Look at the camera, not the screen.
Looking directly at the video camera is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer. Ever try to have a serious conversation with someone while they are checking themselves out in a mirror? Yeah, it’s not typically the most riveting conversation. But let’s all admit, its second nature to look at yourself during a Skype session and it’s also hard to stop…so practice! It will pay off. Its also possible to turn off the personal viewing window so the only thing on your screen in the interviewer.
Dress the part.
Not to sound like a broken record, but you must treat a video interview the same way you’d treat any other type of interview. Make sure to dress professionally from head to toe (or at least from head to waist!). Not only does it make a better impression, it’s been scientifically proven that when we look and feel our best, we are more likely to perform at our best.
Close other programs on your computer.
No matter how many times you’ve checked to see if something was on silent, it always seems to make a noise or alert at the most inconvenient time. Getting notifications during your interview is distracting and unprofessional, so don’t take the risk and make sure all other windows on your computer are closed.
Have your resume out and use notes.
Always have a copy of your resume in front of you during an interview. You can use it as a cheat sheet to quickly refer to dates and responsibilities, and it ensures you’re both speaking the same language. Another great idea it to take notes on achievements you’d like to casually work into the conversation.
Watch your body language.
Not all physical cues translate from in-person interviews to Skype interviews, which make the ones that do even more important. If you fidget, clear your desk. Be sure to have good posture, relax your shoulders, and don’t forget to smile!
Make sure the interviewer is engaged.
An interview shouldn’t be a presentation, it should be a conversation. Make sure it actually feels that way by engaging the interviewer…aka don’t do all the talking! A great way to help facilitate this is to start by building rapport and asking questions: How is your day going so far? Have you enjoyed the weather we’ve had lately? Did you see the ____ (sports game, news event, etc.)? *PRO TIP: steer clear of any controversial subjects and all politics.*
Building rapport not only sets a friendly tone, but it also allows you as the interviewee to show your human side. Another way to make sure the interviewer is engaged is to periodically ask clarifying or follow-up questions.
“The fortune is in the follow up.”
Just like any other type of interview, following up with a quick thank you note is vital. Ideally you don’t follow up via Skype, but instead use email, LinkedIn, or the always impressive hand-written note. Some hiring managers have said that a thank you note or follow up email has been the deciding factor on who lands the job.
If you want more information on how to rock the video interview, please feel free to reach out at info@omadasearch.com and one of our advisers will get back to you.
