An interview is an interview. Whether it’s online or in person, some of the same tips apply to help you make the leap from applicant to employee.
| TIP | SKYPE | IN PERSON |
| Arrive early | » Be logged in and accessible five to 10 minutes prior to your appointment. Practice with a friend to get familiar with the process. | » Arrive in the parking lot of the office 15 minutes before the interview. Take some moments to gather your thoughts and calmly walk in. Never rush into an interview in a breathless panic. |
| Dress the part | » Just because you’re online doesn’t mean you can dress down or wear shorts and flip-flops. Part of dressing properly is creating a professional state-of-mind. Read more here. |
» Start your interview off strong with a great first impression. |
| Keep the peace | » Silence your cellphone. If you are at home and have a land line, turn the ringer off. Plan ahead to make sure children or pets don’t interrupt. | » Silence your cellphone. Don’t just turn it to vibrate. The vibration is still distracting. |
| Make eye contact | » This is tricky in Skype, and you need to practice. Remember, your direct eye contact is in the webcam lens, not the monitor. Try placing a sticky note behind the camera as a reminder to look up. |
» Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. Maintain eye contact when they are speaking as well as when you are. |
| Background | » Avoid plain, white walls, but also make sure the background isn’t cluttered or distracting. |
» Don’t take an oversized handbag or brief case, which can be a distraction. |
| Language | » Use proper grammar and avoid slang, acronyms, negativity and rambling. » Click here for new words to spice up your conversation. |
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| Off limits | » Gum … NEVER! » Never lie about or exaggerate your qualifications. » Don’t ask questions about pay, benefits or paid time-off in an initial interview. » Don’t discuss personal problems. |
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