 |
| "Don't be too close to the camera!" Source |
What's unique about Skype interviews is that you are in two venues at the same time. Through your computer screen, you are in the same room as the recruiter, and the recruiter is in the place you've decided to take your Skype call. What's interesting about Skype calls is that according to your choice of setting for the interview, the recruiter can learn different things about you. According to the American Marketing Association, it is important to chose an appropriate setting for your interview. There are several different options that could be potential areas for digital interviews. What remains constant is that you need to find a quiet place with a door, where you won't be interrupted, and that won't distract your interviewer.
- Tisch Library- Good news, anyone with a Tufts account can reserve study/conference rooms for up to 3 hours through Tufts Space and Resources Reservation System. This is an easy way to make sure that you have a guaranteed quiet room for your Skype interview.
- Career Center- Interviews are conducted everyday in the interview and tutoring rooms just outside the Career Center in Dowling. You must reserve a room with the Career Center front desk.
- Dorm Room/Apartment Room- Your room can reveal a lot about you to a recruiter, especially since it's a personal place. I wouldn't recommend doing a Skype interview in your room, but if you must, make sure your room is clean and you have a plain wall behind you.
Prior to having a Skype interview you should have a mock Skype interview. I've mentioned in previous posts how important mock interviews are for interview preparation, but did you know you can schedule a mock Skype interview with the Career Center? There are key differences between an in-person interview and a Skype call. For example, your eye contact may be thrown off because you're looking at the screen rather than the camera. It's a good idea to schedule a mock interview to make sure you are comfortable on screen and ready to accommodate the nuances of Skype calls. In fact, you should try to replicate the environment for any type of interview that you have: phone, video, in-person. . . Here are some tips for interviewing through Skype:
- Make sure you're centered on screen
- Don't be too close to the camera. The employer should be able to see you from the chest up.
- Try and have a plain backdrop to avoid distracting the interviewer
- Try and look at the camera when you speak, or to help match eye contact place the Skype window directly under the camera to give the illusion you are looking at the recruiter
- Close all other windows during the call, and mute e-mails/iMessages
- Make sure your phone is off!
Preparing for a Skype interview still calls for the traditional practice associated with in-person interviewing. For example, you still need to dress up! According to Forbes' tips for a Skype interview you should avoid wearing patterned or woven clothing, as this could appear grainy on the screen and distract the interviewer. It might be tempting to dress up the upper half of your body, as it's unlikely that the interviewer will see your bottom half through the Skype call. However, you should dress up head to toe! Not only does this put you in the mindset of being in a face-to-face interview, but if you have to get up for any reason you won't be embarrassed by the interviewer seeing your pajama pants. Another "preparation" tip is to ensure that your Skype profile picture is not unprofessional - while it doesn't have to be the head shot that is usually recommended for LinkedIn, it shouldn't be anything inappropriate.
 |
| "Make sure you're centered in the Skype call" Source |
Setting Up Your Computer
Using Skype technology for an interview could results in a few tech glitches affecting the quality of the interview. It's important to familiarize yourself with Skype's video and audio settings. Give yourself enough time prior to the interview, like 30 minutes, to set up and test settings so the call goes smoothly and you are prepared if something goes wrong. Some common issues that could pop up is not being able to see the interviewer or the interviewer doesn't see you. Make sure that your camera is turned on in the application on your computer. Make sure the employer can hear you, and let the interviewer know that you can hear them.
 |
| "Make sure there are no glitches in the call before the interview starts!" |
Skype interviews are becoming more and more popular for employers. It is very likely that as a college student you have a digital interview in your future. It used to be that the initial or pre-screen interview was a phone call, but with Skype and video interviewing options like HireVue, where you answer pre-recorded questions on video, employers have a better chance of feeling like they really got to know you.
Make sure you prepare accordingly for Skype interviews, and it's better to get acquainted with it now rather than later. Hope everyone is staying warm, Spring is in our future regardless of how long Boston snow banks linger and try and prove it otherwise.
Carpe Diem,
Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016
