There are many kinds of interviews. Big differences exist between how you prepare, develop strategies and conduct telephone interviews, Skype interviews and person-to-person interviews. If you don’t understand how to succeed in each one, you’ll fall short at the end. The success factors for a Skype interview are summed up below:
SET THE STAGE:
- Play the role and look the part. Your resume got their attention, now it’s time to impress them with your confidence, get it done attitude, demeanor and transferable results
- Find a good location to Skype: Quiet, no distractions, neutral surroundings and no pets
- Practice interview questions and answers with someone who have interviewed candidates on Skype before. Find a mentor to help you frame positive responses
- Keep your resume handy. Post key messages and put them on the computer screen prior to your interview. These are items you want to make sure you cover. The interviewer can see you, not your screen.
WHAT TO DO:
- Make sure the connection is working. If you can’t hear or see, make it known so the problem can be corrected and not negatively affect your interview
- Dress professionally as if you’re in the office of the hiring manager.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Look at the camera (red light) and not the screen. You lose the personal connection by watching the screen
- Relax as best you can. Put your hands in your lap and relax your shoulders
- Make sure your LinkedIn and Facebook information is positive and supportive. The interviewer will probably have the information in front of them.
- Non-verbal communications are important. A smile is a positive sign and a head nod once in a while indicates either you understand with what is being said or you agree
- Watch the interviewer’s eyes. If they drift or close slightly, shift subjects or modulate your tone of voice. If you’re boring, it will show on the interviewer’s face
HOW TO END:
Usually the interviewer will ask if you have any additional questions. This is a great opportunity to make a very positive impression with the quality of your questions:
ASK: “What are the results expected for this position in the first year?”
“What are the short and long term issues this position is expected to problem-solve?”
“When will a decision be made for 1-on-1 interviews?”
DON’T ASK: “What’s the salary for this position… vacations… benefits… Do I have to move to Detroit? Work on weekends? Travel a lot? (You’ll get answers later as a finalist).
Skype interviews are better than telephone interviews but not as effective as face-to-face interviews. The key to Skype interviews is to relate with the interviewer through eye contact and the answers to questions around results the hiring manager needs in the short to middle term.
Your objective is to get invited to interview in person. Position yourself through Skype.
For a FREE critique of your resume, send it to: wkaufmann44@gmail.com