Skype has been around for quite some time – long before FaceTime and Google Hangouts. It was a lifesaver when I was interning in the United Kingdom in college and it was especially handy when I wanted to see my dog while I was away at school.
But one of the most innovative – and expense reducing – Skype uses is the job interview. With several video chat programs out there, it’s possible to use virtually any device with a camera to conduct an interview these days. And you absolutely should.
The obvious plusses: You don’t have to worry about being onsite. You can interview people from all over the world in the same exact way. And, from the perspective of a Millennial, this makes you look like an incredibly cutting edge company.
There are obviously some disadvantages to a digital interview. But here are a few ways to set expectations, eliminate those disadvantages, and get everything you need out of the Skype interview.
Test your connection…and the software.
You’ve got to know the software and the hardware and you need to make sure that everything works properly. Nothing screams “YOU DON’T WANT TO WORK HERE” louder than a 10-minute “I’m having technology issues” pause during an interview. So make sure you know how to work the video chat program you’re using, as well as the webcam and microphone elements. And, you should probably make sure that your Internet connection is fast enough to handle everything. Try a dry run with a friend or colleague.
Pick a good spot to conduct the interview.
Obviously, you should make sure that it’s quiet, well lit and free of distractions, but it should also be a space that you’re proud of that represents you well.
Know what signifies a “red flag.”
Treat this exactly like a normal interview. If your attire appears to be sweatpants and a t-shirt, you’ll probably be disconnected a little faster.
Stay focused. And if you’re worried you’ll miss something, record the interview.
There are tons of software options for recording your Skype conference (a plugin called Vodburner is one I’ve heard of). Recording an interview may seem silly, but it’ll give you the opportunity to share it with others and capture anything you’ve missed.
Courtesy of Third Sector Today, author Kati McDonald.