You've sent your resume and the recruiter has secured you an interview with the hiring manager or better yet, the Vice President of Sales. Both your schedules are crazy and you are unable to attend an actual Face To Face interview... Happens a lot these days.... in today's crazy world our ability to fly here or fly there is just not as easy. Solution? Let's get together and chat via video conference on Skype.
Once you've agreed to visit with the hiring manager via Skype, you want to make sure you have adequately prepared for the interview. Here are a few key things that you MUST have taken care of before the Skype Interview takes place:
1. First and foremost, remember that this IS an interview
- Do your research on the company products, competition, territory
- Prepare 5-6 questions for the manager that you can ask while Skyping
- Know your resume well and have a clean copy in front of you
- Know the progression of your career and have solid answers for why you left one company and moved on to another - have positive reasons for your transitions
- Listen and take notes when needed - realize there may be a slight delay and answer questions accordingly
2. Create a Professional Environment for the interview
- Make sure your desk is clean and clear of clutter
- Remove anything distracting that may be behind you - ie.. cluttered credenza, laundry on chair, 10yrs. olds boy scout soap box derby car project, .. you get the idea ... Make it look as clean and sterile as possible ...After all YOU are the focus and nothing else
3. Dress in a Professional Manner
- Dress exactly how you would for a face to face interview - this means head to toe... Heaven forbid you would need to stand up for any reason .. you don't want to be in your Land's End pajama pants ... Be clean shaven, in a business shirt & tie, slacks, and for women .. the business blouse, jewelry, etc. etc.
- When you feel professional you will sell your self and act professional, as well
4. IT Checklist and Technology Troubleshooting
- Test all your equipment .... Consider doing a trial practice run with your recruiter or a friend
- Check internet connections, webcam, computer, microphone .. make sure all are working properly
- Make sure there are no other programs running on your computer that will interrupt the Skype interview --- no twitter, no ichat, no scheduled backup runs
5. Eliminate All Distractions
- Turn off your Cell phone, home phone, radio, TV
- Close down any programs you were working on prior to the Skype call
- Close the door to your office
- Make sure you will not be interrupted by your animals barking or the neighbors knocking at your door
- Put away all distractions
- The only thing in front of you should be your resume, your list of questions, a pen/pencil, and information on the company you are applying for
6. Have a task list in front of you
- Questions you want to ask the interviewee
- Selling points you want to make about you and your career
- Successes you want to share
- Closing the manager for a Face To Face Interview --- Have your calendar available and have dates already blocked off that you could suggest/recommend for a face to face meeting
7. Ask the interviewee for their email address and phone numbers
- Plan to email the interviewee and thank them for the Skype Interview
I guarantee if you do these few little things to prepare for your Skype Interview, you will most certainly do well and will ultimately take it to the next level.
Best Wishes and good luck to you!
Vicki
