Skype interviews are becoming more and more common in the world of business, with employers looking to streamline their hiring processes through advancements in technology. The use of Skype is especially common for first-stage interviews, and is much preferable to a telephone interview. It enables them to see you and your mannerisms when they talk to you, allowing them to build an impression of you and understand how you will fit into their team.
So, if you’re invited to take part in a Skype interview, don’t panic. Prepare for your interview as normal and then make sure you’ve covered all of your Skype setup. As a top PA recruitment agency in the capital, we have experience of all types of interviews. Here are our top tips for Skype interviews.
Don’t make excuses
If you hate Skype, you’re probably not too thrilled at the idea of being interviewed over it. However, it’s important not to make excuses to try and get out of it. Saying that you’d rather interview over the telephone or that your internet connection is poor is a fail, and will put you on the back foot right away. If you really want the job, you must find a way to make it work, even if it’s inconvenient for you.
Make a good first impression
First impressions are everything, whether you’re applying for junior office support jobs or higher level executive assistant jobs. You need to dress for the occasion, as not only will it portray you as professional and show that you really want the job, but it will also put you in the right frame of mind. It’s also important to make sure that your username is simple and appropriate. Your best bet is to be boring and use your first and last name.
Consider your location
What’s behind you matters when it comes to Skype interviews, so it makes sense to think about your location. Imagine your interviewer is sitting opposite you. If you’re at home, choose your living room or kitchen, rather than your bedroom, and try to avoid public spaces such as a cafe (unless you don’t have internet at home). Minimise background noise so that they can hear you clearly and turn off your mobile phone.
Maintain eye contact
It may feel awkward, but it’s important to look at your webcam whilst you’re being interviewed, rather than the screen. It will make you seem present and come across as friendly and personable. This is important, whether you’re interviewing for permanent PA jobs or receptionist jobs. Keeping your eyes on the webcam will also ensure that your eyes don’t drift to the video of yourself in the bottom corner of the screen.
Handle tech glitches gracefully
Things can go wrong when interviewing via Skype. Your interviewer knows that, so rather than shouting and swearing and/or bursting into tears, just keep your cool and try to fix the issue. If you must, hang up the call and try again. The ability to keep calm in a stressful situation will only serve to improve your chances of interview success.
With more employers using Skype to interview candidates than ever before, it shouldn’t come as a shock if you’re asked to interview in this way. Rather than getting anxious and building the event into a big scary obstacle, just treat the Skype interview like a face-to-face interview, remaining friendly, calm, and professional.
If you’re looking to find top PA jobs and office support jobs in London, contact Love Success. As a leading PA recruitment agency in the capital, we can provide expert advice to help you excel in Skype interviews and more, so get in touch today.
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