Nowadays, Skype is a very common way in which applicants are interviewed for a job. Many internships are available to students these days without them having to be in the same location as the company. In circumstances like these, many companies will conduct an interview over Skype, a video calling application. The etiquette for a Skype interview is very different than that of a phone interview or in person interview. There are some tips that will help you have a successful Skype interview.
The first tip is to make sure that you maintain eye contact with whoever is interviewing you. On Skype, you will be able to see yourself on the computer screen as well as your interviewer, make sure that you look into the camera to maintain eye contact instead of at yourself. This is very important because this interview is one where the interviewer can see you, so just like in an in person interview, you want to maintain eye contact.
Make sure that you are still dressed professionally even though the interviewer cannot see you in person; they still see you over the camera. It is important to still present a professional image to them and what you wear is a big part in that. As a part of the professional image, it is also important to place yourself in a location where the background is subtle and not full of distractions. This will ensure that you are the main focus on the screen to the interviewer. Close all other programs and pages on your computer because it would be extremely unprofessional if there was the sound of notifications going off during your interview.
Feel free to use sticky notes during your Skype interview with reminders of things you want to mention. This is something you cannot usually do during an in person interview so take advantage of it. But, keep in mind to not read off any notes, just use them as a guide, not an answer sheet. With this in mind, remember that practice does make perfect, so practice your interviewing skills as if you were to do an in person interview.
With Skype interviews becoming more common, it is important to know the correct etiquette to succeed in these interviews. Be calm, prepared, and as engaged as you would in an in person interview and you will do great. Best of luck to all your future interviews to come!
