As hiring managers become more comfortable with new technologies, Skype or videoconference interviewing is becoming more common. Source<> http://www.edubilla.com/blog/10-tips-for-skype-interviews/

1. Tips for Skype interviews
As hiring managers become more comfortable with new
technologies, Skype or videoconference interviewing is
becoming more common. Unlike phone interviews, more
information can be gleaned from Skype interviews,
making them increasingly popular alternatives to initial
phone interviews.
However, this new frontier in interviewing brings with it a
new etiquette and set of rules. Companies have been using
Skype to interview since approximately 2009, with

2. videoconferencing used before that. Generally, the
interviewer who suggests the Skype interview is
experienced using video technology and likes the benefits
that it provides in the interview process. The applicant
may not be as comfortable and will require additional
preparation.
How to prepare
In addition to regular interview preparation, a job
candidate must also be aware of how they are perceived
via Skype. When the interviewer and candidate can see
each other, factors like setting, body language and
appearance become important parts of the interview and
require some pre-planning. Here are 10 tips for a
successful Skype interview.
1. Choose a clean and simple background free of
distractions
If you plan to do the interview from your home, there is an

3. opportunity for the interviewer to learn all kinds of things
about you — from your taste in artwork to how many pets
you have. The interviewer does not need this level of
personal information about you.
Keep the backdrop simple. If you don’t have a white wall
to sit in front of, hang a white sheet neatly behind you.
Make sure your chair, desk or table are simple and clear of
excess papers and personal items. Let the people (and pets)
in your life know what is happening and how important it
is and make sure they stay well away from where you will
conduct the interview. Alternatively, libraries often have
clean and neat rooms that can be reserved. This could also
be a great option if you need to borrow a webcam for your
laptop.
2. Light yourself favorably
Do not sit in front of a window or blinds, as these will
wreak havoc with your light and cause you to appear as a
shadowy figure. Overhead lights can be just as bad,
casting harsh shadows on your face. Set up two task lights

4. on either side of your computer/webcam. Test the light by
doing a dry run with a friend or family member at the
same time of day that your interview will occur.
3. Make sure your hands are free
Even if you think you don’t, you talk with your hands and
your body as well as with your mouth and facial
expressions. Make sure the camera has a good shot of your
head, shoulders and hands. This will require you to use a
laptop or a desktop computer, not a smartphone or tablet.
Smartphones or tablet devices often require you to hold
them at awkward angles and limit your ability to express
yourself while speaking.
4. Sit up, lean in and look at the camera
Take time to pick the right chair. Stay away from an easy
chair or a big desk chair that swivels and leans back, as
these will make you appear too relaxed. Pick a chair with a
straight back and sit with proper posture.

5. You want to lean in like a news anchor does. This allows
the interviewer to see your facial expressions. Make sure
your hands are still visible. As tempting as it may be, don’t
fixate on your picture in the corner of the screen. This
gives the impression you are not making eye contact.
Instead, minimize your picture to the corner and look
directly into the camera.
5. Confirm that your sound is audible and your camera is
on
Clarity is important. Before the interview, test your
microphone, speakers and camera with a friend or family
member to be sure that they are all working optimally.
6. Avoid technical difficulties
The internet is not foolproof. It is of the utmost importance
to ensure your internet connection works properly during
a Skype interview. Ideally, you should plug your computer

6. into an Ethernet port, which is far more reliable than
wireless.
7. Connect your “handles”
It is a timesaver to pre-connect with each other. Etiquette
would have the interviewer pre-connect with you.
However, they may request that you pre-connect with
them due to time constraints. It is very important you use
a professional Skype name. “Carman1962” or
“Beerlover1992” are not names that will represent you
well. Even if you have to open another account on Skype,
make sure you choose something professional. If your
name is already taken, try your name with your industry
or function (jsmith_accountant or jsmith_CPA, for
instance).
8. Be enthusiastic
Just like a phone interview, sometimes people come across
as wooden in Skype interviews. Make an effort to smile
and act as pleasant and upbeat as possible.

7. 9. Be prepared
Just like an in-person interview, you need to be prepared.
Have your resume, the job description and your notes
about the company and the role in front of you. Make sure
you have your questions written down. Always err on the
side of having too many questions prepared. Some
questions will naturally be addressed during the course of
the interview. When the interviewer asks if you have
questions, they are testing to see how much research you
did and your interest level. If you wrote down a lot of
questions but all of them were answered, at minimum you
can show the interviewer that you had questions prepared
and compliment them on their ability to share all the
information. If there is not time for all your questions, you
may have another chance to ask them at the second
interview.

8. 10. Dress for success
Avoid stripes or houndstooth type patterns because they
read on camera like a strobe light. It’s best to wear dark
colors with accents of color in a tie or for ladies in a shirt
under a suit jacket. Steal a tip from news anchors and sit
on the back of your suit jacket if it is long enough. This
will assure that the front of your jacket lays smooth against
your body and give you the most polished look.
You may be tempted to wear a jacket and a blouse or shirt
on top and jeans on the bottom, but resist. You would be
surprised at how many wardrobe malfunctions can happen,
and even if you think you are totally prepared, there’s
always the possibility you may have to get up from your
chair briefly. The camera will catch everything. Dress 100
percent as you would for a real interview, because this is a
real interview.

9. Practice makes perfect
As mentioned throughout these tips, practice makes
perfect. A trial run with a friend before the actual
interview will help work out many unknowns that could
sabotage the interview. When you know things went well
in the practice session, you will have that much more
confidence when it counts!