Learn How to Ace A Skype Interview

Wow, isn't it amazing that you no longer have to travel long distances to interview for an internship or a job? Skype, a video chat software, has provided a way to interview right from your own computer. You may ask if companies really use Skype for interviewing rather than requiring face to face contact. The answer is yes. With many companies cutting back on their campus recruiting and with the fierce competition for internships and jobs, Skype offers an easy and no cost way for applicants to interview for those highly regarded opportunities with minimal work from both interviewer and applicant.

All you need for a Skype interview is a microphone and a webcam. Skype is a free download and offers the ability to interview around the world. Skype offers a way to create a great first impression. You want to take your Skype interview seriously and make every effort to treat it like a real interview that captures the interviewer's attention. You can check with your Career Services Offices to see if they offer a space for Skype interviews.

Top 10 Tips for a Successful Skype interview:

1. As if meeting in person, create a great first impression.
2. Maintain direct eye contact throughout the interview.
3. Be yourself – relax, smile, and let your personality show through.
4. Treat a Skype interview as a real face-to-face interview.
5. Practice on Skype before the interview.
6. Speak slowly and clearly and set the sound on the microphone so it’s not too loud where it will create static.
7. Create a background that’s warm and inviting and not too busy or boring.
8. Check lighting so it’s adequate and not too bright which will close down the iris on the webcam.
9. Be sure to sit up and maintain a straight posture.
10. Dress for success as if it were an in-person interview.

Have you done a Skype interview? If so, please let us know how it went.