How To Ace a Skype Job Interview

There's no question about it: Video interviews are here to stay. They're convenient for candidates and companies alike. Many platforms are available for this type of interview. 

Skype, an online phone and video service that's been around for many years, is one option for long-distance or even international video interviews.

What’s the best way to ace a Skype interview? Here’s what you need to know for a successful interview via Skype, including how to prepare, tips for getting your technology set up, what to wear, and how to make the best impression during the interview.

Benefits of Using Skype for Interviews

Sometimes, companies use Skype for first-round interviews (similar to a phone interview). Other times, the entire interview process will be online and companies will use Skype for second-round or even third-round interviews.

For companies, the advantages of a video interview are clear. Skype can streamline the job interview process, reduce costs, and make it easy to connect with candidates who are located far away from the company's headquarters. 

For job candidates, the convenience of interviewing from home is a major bonus. It can save you both travel time and money. And, it can be easier to find a time that works for an interview, since you won't need to budget for traveling to and from another office. 

There may be a high convenience factor to interviewing over Skype, but it remains important that you prepare just as much for the interview as you would an in-person interview. There are a few steps you need to take before your Skype interview in order to be confident and ready to ace the experience:

Download the software at least a few days in advance of the interview. While there are Skype platforms that cost money, it is generally free to video chat with other Skype users.

Create a professional username. With Skype, people can search for you by your first and last name. Make sure you don’t use any unprofessional nicknames in your Skype name. Your best bet is to use your first name and last name, first initial and last name, or some similar variation. 

Do a test call or two with your friends or family. Make sure you can easily make and answer a call. Check to see that your microphone and camera work. Practice getting comfortable looking at the camera for long periods of time.

Adjust the lighting. Be sure you have enough lighting to avoid any heavy shadows. However, make sure the lighting is not too bright either because that can wash you out or even blind the interviewer. You can troubleshoot lighting issues during your practice interview.

Check the background. While you are the focus of the Skype video, remember that the interviewer will also see whatever is behind you. Before the interview, select your backdrop. Pick a bare wall to ensure there are no distractions or color clashes with your attire. You may also want to take advantage of a Skype feature called background blur. You can turn it on in your settings. It will blur your background so that the main focus is your face. 

Check the sound. During your practice call, check that your audio is working properly. If you need to be in a public space, find the quietest area and be sure to wear a headset to help block out background noises. At home, you'll also want to be in a quiet place, far from sirens, kitchen noises, barking pets, and so on. 

Prep in the traditional sense as well. Do the kind of preparation you would do for any interview. Review your resume and cover letter, practice answering common interview questions ahead of time, and research the company.

Know who is contacting whom. Before the interview, make sure that you know whether you are supposed to reach out to the interviewer or vice versa. If you are supposed to reach out, ask for their Skype name ahead of time. Before the interview, find the person on Skype and add him or her to your list of contacts. This will make it easier to contact them if you are asked to. 

Get Ready for the Interview

Dress to Impress

Just because you are interviewing in a casual setting does not mean your attire should match your surroundings. Wear what you would wear to an in-person interview. This will help you feel more confident as well. 

Some specific colors, such as red and hot colors, can be too bright for the camera, and are best avoided. Crazy patterns may also clash with the camera. Stick with solids.

Put Your Best Face Forward

Again, treat the Skype interview like you would an in-person interview when it comes to your appearance. 

You can wear a bit more makeup than you would in an in-person interview, as it looks professional on camera. Wear the amount that makes you feel confident. You can wear jewelry, but make sure it isn’t too flashy or distracting (for example, avoid jangly, noisy earrings). 

Finally, make sure your hair is well-groomed.

Bring Notes, Paper, and a Pen

It's useful to have a few brief bullet points in front of you about what you want to highlight during the interview. Sometimes, conversations can go in unexpected directions, and it can be easy to forget your talking points. This way, you can scan your notes without losing direct contact with the interviewer. 

However, make sure to practice answering interview questions in advance, so that you don’t stare down at your paper. Remember that eye contact is important.

Keep blank paper and a pen handy to jot down anything you’d like to comment on later in the conversation. 

Tips for a Successful Skype Interview

There are also things you can do during the Skype interview to make sure you look polished and professional:

Avoid Interruptions

If you live with other people and are doing the interview in your home, tell everyone you live with not to interrupt you during the interview. Try to keep pets corralled in another room, too. 

Exit Your Other Applications

Another way to focus is to exit out of any other applications on your computer. You don’t want any pop-up windows distracting you during the interview. As with any interview, you'll want to make sure that your phone is on silent too. Now's not the time to get alerts about emails or social media posts or to have the phone buzz with a text or call. 

Smile and Focus

In many ways, a Skype interview is just like any other interview. For example, whether you are interviewing in person or via Skype, remember to smile!

Smiling will ensure that you look engaged and enthusiastic about the position you are interviewing for. Remember to focus your eyes on the camera—not on the person’s face—to make it look as if you’re making direct eye contact. Scanning the room or looking away from the camera too much can make you appear untrustworthy or indifferent. The interviewer deserves your full attention, so stay focused and friendly. Smiling can also help you remain calm.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

You do not want your interviewer to assume that his or her screen has frozen at any point during the interview. Therefore, make sure your body language expresses that you are engaged:

• As the other party speaks, subtly nod your head to express your understanding or agreement.
• And as you speak, lean forward and use subtle hand gestures to add enthusiasm to what you are saying. But don’t overdo it.
• To avoid looking blurry on screen, don’t make any dramatic hand gestures or nod your head too quickly.
• Also, be sure to sit up straight. This will not only make you look more professional, but it will also help you feel more confident.

Don’t Panic if Technology Fails

With any technology, there is the chance of a glitch. When you start the interview, you might want to make sure the person can see and hear you. If anything goes wrong during the interview, don’t panic. Remain calm and friendly. You might suggest hanging up and trying the video call again. 

Make sure you have the person’s email address or phone number so you can contact them in case you completely lose each other.