Few Tips to Nail a Skype Interview

Hiring a wrong person can cost a business thousands of dollars. These days, most of the companies prefer to minimize recruiting costs by utilizing Skype as a screening tool. Following are some tips for a successful Skype interview. 

Your Skype Name-

Before a recruiting manager jumps on a Skype call with you, his initial attention will be on your Skype name. Thus, it is important to make sure that your profile picture and the user name has a professional look.  Avoid using screen names such as vodka_dude that might send a negative message. Also do not use any kind of abusive language while creating your profile name. Best is to create a mixture of your name with your job industry such as Peter_Accenture. Since creating Skype accounts are free, it is always better to create a separate account for handling work related issues.

Dress to Wear During the Interview-

Although the recruiter is more likely to see the top half of your body but it is important to follow a professional getup from head to toe. In case if you have to get up for whatever reason, the interviewer might see your sweat pants. Therefore, it is essential to consider this as a face to face interview and get groomed from top to bottom. It is advised to take a look at the company’s social media pages and websites to get an idea about how the employees in that particular organization dress up. If the web pages of the company do not have any such image, go for a business casual look. Avoid wearing busy patterns and choose darker shades instead as they will better define your face.

Build Your Stage- Always remember that the camera will not only focus your face but also show what’s behind you. Thus, it is essential to build your stage. A blank background with lamp sheds on either side of your system is a good stage to complement a Skype interview.

Before appearing for the interview tell your family members not to disturb you by interrupting in between an interview. Also make sure to turn off your mobile to avoid interrupting calls. Don’t forget to check your internet connectivity because uninterrupted Skype calls need a strong internet connection. It is always better to use USB headsets for this kind of interviews.

Body Language- 

When it comes to an interview, body language is always important to consider. Restrain yourself from unprofessional habits like chewing nails or yawning or constantly tapping the desk out of nervousness. It is advised to keep other programs on the computer closed. This will help you stay focused. Most importantly, do not forget to smile as it leaves a positive impression.