How to pass a skype interview. Skype interview: step by step instructions. Schedule the exact time of communication

Good day to you, dear friend!

“No one can hear me on Skype, why?” - "97 percent of the problems are within half a meter of the computer" - "Yes? Perhaps the speakers are faulty? I guess you already understood that today's topic is Skype interview tips and tricks.

Top tip: tune in the same way as on. A Skype interview is essentially no different from a face-to-face meeting.

For some reason, many people think that Skype interviews are easier. Where did they get it from? Because you can sit in shorts? I do not advise, otherwise if you forget about it, and you will definitely forget about it, you can find yourself in a rather piquant situation. For example, when you get up to take some document.

Dress like you would dress for a real meeting. This will invigorate you and set you up for work.

Speaking of documents

Candidates often ask: Should I put in front of me? I don’t know what the frequency of this question is connected with ... then I realized: experts give different recommendations.

Someone thinks that the resume is distracting and does not allow the candidate to open up.

• First, this is a rule of good form, I assure you as a recruiter with experience.
• Secondly, during the conversation, questions may arise that need to be clarified, including wording. And in order not to blink your eyes and not wrinkle your forehead in an attempt to remember the right fad, it is much easier to just look in front of you.

Let's not forget that interviews are stressful, some more, some less. And a stupor can easily cover you when the feeling is that what you need right now has completely flown out of your head.

In addition to the above, you can put any other cheat sheet in front of you, for example, a printed story about yourself. If so, take a look. Just don't abuse it.

Nevertheless, even without my abstruse speeches, it is clear that there are differences between a Skype interview and a personal one.

Technical points

Prepare your computer in advance by paying attention to the following technical points

1. Account

Change your account in advance if it has an inappropriate name for the image of a reputable applicant. We talked about similar things with email in this . There should be no fish, bunnies and 1234.

2. Picture

Sit in front of the camera and look at yourself. Rate the image quality. Your face, even if it is such that the Gioconda is resting, should not fill the entire screen. Leave room for other parts of the body. I guess you guessed which ones :)

3. Sound

sound Special attention. These are not trifles. Check the microphone and everything else for sound. Test how you sound. Adjust the volume.

After starting a conversation, make sure you can hear the other person well. It is very important. Some candidates do not attach any importance to this or are embarrassed to say so. As a result, somehow out of place, you can lubricate the whole impression. You should also make sure that the interlocutor can hear you well.

4. Communication reliability

Try to ensure an uninterrupted internet connection. If you have a modem for mobile Internet, insert it to quickly turn it on in case of problems with the main one.

No one should distract

According to the law of meanness, at the most inopportune moment, someone from the household may need you. This is especially true for children and animals.

If your Barbos is in the room during the conversation, you can be sure that he will try to join the conversation in all ways available to him :). So put everyone out the door and close it tightly.

Background and lighting

Of course, the sight of my grandmother's carpet behind my back, even if self made, is not the best frame for the face of an ideal applicant. What should be there? Decide for yourself, remembering that this is part of your image.

Lighting should be optimal - not too bright, but enough to clearly see your face. The face is almost everything that the interlocutor sees. Where else should he look? Treat this “tool” of your promotion with due attention.

Order on the table

As the unforgettable Professor Preobrazhensky said, devastation in the country gives rise to devastation in the minds. Following the logic of an authoritative luminary, we can also assume the opposite pattern: the mess on the table speaks of ... a mess in thoughts. This is not always the case, of course, but the recruiter may not know about it :)

Your obedient servant deliberately spoke in this article about things that are quite obvious. So much so that you can reproach me for it.

But the fact remains that many candidates forget about these simple commandments. Spicy attributes of clothes and dusty grandmother's carpets are not at all the fruit of my wild imagination.

One of my employees even had the good fortune to observe a battery of empty dishes from under the “capital” in the background. Perhaps the familiar environment is relaxing. The devil is in the details, be careful and fate will reward you for your patience and composure.

On this “optimistic” note, let me take my leave for today.

Thanks for your interest in the article. I would appreciate a comment (at the bottom of the page).

Subscribe to blog updates (the form under the social network buttons) and receive articles on topics of your choice to your mail.

Have a nice day and good mood!

In our time, when technology is developing more and more rapidly, the popularity of Skype interviews is growing noticeably. If during a Skype interview you have technical problems and you look unconvincing, then you will not have a chance to meet with an HR employee face to face.

Nevertheless, despite the obvious importance of this format of interviews (most candidates are weeded out at this stage), many, oddly enough, do not prepare for them at all: it seems to them that it is enough to turn on the laptop and adjust the sound. In fact, in order to produce good impression and achieve a face-to-face interview, you need to take the preparation as seriously as possible and plan everything carefully. It must be borne in mind that a video interview is the closest option to a personal interview, the only difference is that the interlocutors are not in the same room.

The only way to avoid embarrassing mistakes during a video interview is to prepare well. In this article you will learn:

• What is a skype interview?
• How to complete your profile correctly?
• How to prepare and how to behave during a Skype interview?
• How should it be started and how should it be ended?
• What techniques will help you successfully pass this interview format?

Skype is a free and accessible resource for all users and attracts more and more supporters of this form of interviewing. Successful skype interviews require specific skills and tactics that are different from those you learned about phone interviews.

A Complete Guide to Preparing for a Skype Interview

Proper account registration in Skype

Username. If you have never used Skype before, then you need to download the application from the Internet, install Skype on your desktop and register. To register, use your first and last name as your login. Don't come up with ridiculous nicknames like svetlanka.22, tanechka, etc. Remember that you can register multiple Skype accounts depending on your goals: business conversation or socializing with friends and family. The best option for a nickname would be your initials, for example, raisasorokina

A photo. In your profile on Skype, or another social network there should be a high-quality photo emphasizing your business qualities. Stop your choice for account skype on a photo from your resume.

Show off your skills to the HR manager with a professional photo and a serious username business communication and make a good first impression even before meeting you via video call.

Keep up with the times: install latest versions all programs, use the Internet channel with maximum throughput. Be sure to check everything before the interview. software. Your job is to properly equip your seat in front of the screen to avoid motion blur, audio lag, or improper framing that cuts off your ear or chin. Don't let outdated technology ruin your chance to get a job. To do this, it is necessary to provide a suitable environment and background, good lighting and high-quality sound.

• Lighting. Install two lights behind the camera, one on the right at a 30º angle and one on the left at a 20º angle. Place another light source behind you. Light should not fall from above - this creates unwanted shadows.
• Background selection. First of all, you need to choose the background on which you will “go on air”. by the most the best option for this there will be a wall with plain, dim wallpaper that is not striking and does not distract the recruiter's attention from you. You can also buy a roll of background paper in a neutral shade. The most acceptable colors are light brown, light gray or ivory. A snow-white background is undesirable, because the eyes get tired of it. Influence colors should by no means be underestimated. Both the background color and the color of your clothes should create a sense of calm and harmony. Reinforce the background paper securely so that it does not fall during the interview (usually this happens at the most important moment).
• Interior. The office is the best place to conduct an interview. Sit at your desk, create a business environment.
• Camera should be at eye level. Your head and shoulders should be in the frame - this is the best angle. Remove all foreign objects from the camera's field of view - they can serve as a psychological barrier between you and your interlocutor. Only a pen, diary and resume can be left on the table.
• Clean lens. A dust or smudge on the webcam lens will ruin all your careful preparations. Wipe down the camera just before the interview.
• Blank screen. Close all extraneous programs, windows and tabs on the computer so that email notifications do not pop up on the monitor during the interview.
• Tags. When implementing any theatrical performance marks are placed on the floor of the stage indicating where the actors should stand. You also need to mark in advance, for example, the place where your chair should be during the interview. So you can achieve optimal lighting and angle.
• Power supply. If you have a laptop, it is desirable that it be connected to the network. Battery power is not a reliable option; but if there is no other way, then make sure that the battery is fully charged before starting the interview. Make sure all cables are securely connected and the system is functioning. Don't let your interview get cut short by an unexpected hardware failure. Spare equipment should always be at hand.
• Overlays and crashes. Be prepared for interference. During a Skype interview, there may be communication issues that may prevent you from hearing or understanding the question. In this case, ask the speaker to repeat his question.
• Force Majeure. If something happened at the last moment: you suddenly fell ill, or your Internet connection was interrupted, cancel the interview, explain the reasons and offer to set a new date.

1. Appearance

You should pay enough attention to your appearance. Since the screen size in skype is limited, the video close-up your head and shoulders will be visible, that is, the upper part and, therefore, it is on it that you need to focus. All you need to look respectable on Skype is to focus on hair, makeup, blouse and jacket. Dress code tips can be found in the article:

2. "Quiet, filming in progress!"

It is such a note that should hang on the door of the room from where you are talking. Ask everyone not to be disturbed and to be as quiet as possible.

3. Teleprompter

Go to an office supply store and buy some presentation sheets. Write your main points on these sheets and stick them behind the camera; they will serve you as a teleprompter.

4. Don't miss your turn

Be ready for the interview even a few minutes before it starts: take a seat in front of the camera and wait for the interlocutor to connect. Look straight ahead, do not make sudden movements, demonstrate calmness and confidence.

5. Smile! You are live!

The very first thing you should do before you start talking is smile. Smiling removes the main barriers and threats that may come from a stranger. The human brain registers a smile instantly, and you will be able to establish contact with the interviewer from the first second of your meeting.
Your smile should be sincere, natural. If you don't smile during the interview, the interviewer will assume that you are unhappy, preoccupied, and not interested in getting the job. The smile on your face indicates that you are friendly and friendly person with whom it will be a pleasure to work in the same team.

6. Time zone

Say hello to the interlocutor based on what time zone he is in, not you. For example, if it is now eight o'clock in the evening, and you have seven in the morning, then tell him: "Good evening!", Not "Good morning!".

The impression of you depends largely on how your voice sounds. In order to convince the interlocutor of anything, you need a deep pleasant voice, and he should not let you down. To soften your throat, eat a teaspoon of honey about an hour before your interview.

8. Control your body language

• Don't forget that you are live. Throughout the interview, the employer's representative sees you on the screen of his computer. Therefore, avoid unnecessary movements - do not straighten clothes, do not smooth hair - these little things can damage your professional image.
• When you start answering questions, help yourself with your hands. It is best to keep your hands open, and during the conversation, use them to explain key details.
• Nod when listening to the other person. Everyone wants to feel that they are being listened to carefully and that what they say is appreciated. The interviewer is no exception. Nodding your head is a great way to show the other person that you are an active listener.
• To feel natural and comfortable and at ease during the interview, rehearse - sit in a chair in front of the webcam, tell something.
• I recommend that you record yourself on video several times in order to see yourself from the side and understand what you are doing wrong. Some gestures that are not conspicuous during personal communication may look inappropriate on video and distract the interlocutor's attention. Such gestures include: frequent hand movements, “playing” with hair, touching the face, etc. By observing your behavior on video, you will be able to further control your behavior during a skype interview.

9. Eye contact

Everyone knows how important it is to make eye contact with the interviewer during the interview. It is much more difficult to do this on a Skype interview. When you're talking to someone via video, your eyes naturally want to focus on the other person's face. Depending on where the person's face is on the computer monitor and where the webcam is located, your gaze can either be directed to the side or down. You can avoid this by resizing and moving the "window" with the person's image up, as close to your webcam as possible. These actions will allow you to get closer to real eye contact.

N!B! When you start answering questions, look not at the person on the screen, but at the camera at the top of your laptop. However, many do the opposite, and this is a gross mistake that applicants make. In order to avoid such an oversight, it remains only to accustom yourself to look into the camera lens, and not at the laptop screen, and this will take practice.
I recommend practicing this with friends or family members.

10. Distribute attention correctly

If you are participating in a video interview with whole group representatives of the company-employer, each of them should be in the center of your attention for some time. Find out which interviewers can help you the most and give them more time than others. Prepare ahead of time (if possible) a spreadsheet that lists all the participants in the online meeting and what each of them does and what influence they have in the firm.

11. Keep track of time

Don't forget the time, but never look at your wristwatch. Put a clock behind your webcam and keep track of how well you spend your time.

12. Without installation

The video interview takes place online, and, alas, it will not work to cut out bad places. If you are asked an unusual question - do not rush to answer, an experienced interviewer understands that you need time to think about the question in order to give a good answer. Keep in mind that recruiters can nudge you with certain techniques. Listen carefully to the interviewer, and if you do not understand the question, then ask for clarification or clarification; if you said something wrong, don't panic and don't worry - just keep talking. If you come out of a difficult situation calmly and witty, your reservation may even work to your advantage.

13. Final chord

As with any type of interview, at the end of the interview, thank the interviewee for taking the time. Clarify again why you want to work in this particular company and what exactly you are ready to do for it.

Try to interest the manager so much that he is eager to meet with you in person. Let him be encouraged by the prospect of how the company will benefit if you are hired.

14. Rehearsal

A Hollywood thriller or a Broadway musical is the fruit of the efforts of a whole team of professionals. You, too, should have your own "expert" who will ensure that everything goes well and you perform brilliantly. He can, for example, listen to the speech you have prepared, check the lighting, your appearance, the quality of the picture and sound. Ask someone you trust to help you rehearse the interview and then give objective assessment your performance. You need a sensitive but honest critic who will directly tell you what you are doing wrong.

Consider all the recommendations for preparing for a Skype interview and do everything possible to ensure that your online meeting with the employer goes 100%. Remember the words of Coco Chanel: "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression"

If at home you have risks that something may not go according to plan, then you can use the rental of the most suitable room for a Skype interview. For example, use a loft, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, a quiet cafe with good internet. Of course, the main emphasis when checking a candidate is on knowledge and experience, but if the level of companies is high, then a business environment and thorough preparation will be an additional advantage.

The next two tabs change the content below.

Job search and career development coach. The only trainer-interviewer in Russia who prepares for all types of interviews. Resume writing expert. Author of the books: "I'm afraid of interviews!", "To strike on the spot #Resume", "To strike on the spot #Cover letter".

Modern web technologies open up excellent opportunities for both job seekers and employers themselves who need a workforce. Every year, HR managers and agencies use more and more new methods to conduct interviews, and if it was once enough to make a favorable impression in a personal interview, today a vacancy in big company may involve complex multi-level selection.

Such selection may include a first level interview (directly personnel manager), questionnaires, passing psychological, as well as IQ testing, a second-level interview (with the head of the department or directly with the company's management), as well as other additional stages. A complex multi-level selection helps to weed out all insufficiently prepared candidates, but it takes a lot of time and effort from both parties, therefore, more and more often, for convenience, as well as to save time for many non-management positions, employers conduct primary selection through online interviews.

Examples of questions and answers in a job interview:

Unlike a phone interview, an online web-based interview is a face-to-face interview where, in a well-connected environment, the candidate can be assessed almost as carefully as in a face-to-face meeting. In addition, the very readiness on the part of the employer to conduct an online interview means the company's desire to significantly save time and money (and this rule works for both parties), as well as to interview those candidates who are open to such tests, which means that they are quite modern and sociable. As for the readiness to pass the online primary selection on the part of the candidate, it means the absence of psychological resistance to such a modern methodology and the ability to easily adapt to new technologies.

The most famous online method today is an interview through the Skype program (Skype), the site of which is located here - http://www.skype.com/uk/. This program can be downloaded for free, and its installation package takes a little more than 1 megabyte. After standard registration, any user receives a set of free features, one of which is the ability to connect with another user number you know, with a webcam connected for visual contact. Of course, the program also has additional paid features, but they are not required for an interview.

Pros and cons of online interviews

Most young professionals are actively mastering web technologies and, as a rule, the Skype program is familiar to them, as they use it in their daily life to chat with friends, to call their neighbors who are abroad, and so on. As for people of a more mature age, they are divided into two categories - those who were able to master a personal computer and use new technologies with interest, as well as those who, due to their age, do not want to relearn and switch to new schemes unfamiliar to them. However, many HR managers believe that in the coming years, online interviews, including Skype interviews, will completely replace first-level interviews, which are the so-called. primary selection. This trend has long been noticeable in Western countries, where more than 50% of employers conduct the first interview with a potential employee using Skype, due to the following advantages:

• saving time - both the employer and the candidate for a vacancy can connect much faster via the Internet than making and waiting for a personal meeting;
• cost savings - the candidate does not spend money on the road, and the employer can quickly carry out the first stage of selection, thereby speeding up the hiring of the employee needed for the company;
• convenience - there is no need for the candidate to travel to another region and even to another district to tell about himself at the interview, just as the employer does not need to spend resources, meet the candidate, allocate him time and space for the interview;
• psychological comfort, first of all, for a candidate who can in a calm home environment, which, if carried out online, will most likely exclude non-standard schemes and.

On the other hand, given that Skype interviews are webcam communication, there are also the following disadvantages of such an interview:

• first of all, the lack of the opportunity to see with your own eyes a possible place of work, office and team;
• it is difficult to intuitively understand and predict the reaction of the interlocutor, because web technologies, to put it mildly, distort emotional contact and the atmosphere of dialogue;
• the possibility of technical overlays, including the banal lack of Internet access for one of the parties, which can completely spoil both the impression and the entire interview;
• the inability to adequately present a holistic image of the candidate, since when communicating through a webcam, attention will be paid, first of all, to words and gestures, while live, an opinion about the interlocutor is formed not from individual accents, but based on their overall picture;
• the difficulty that some candidates face in setting up in a businesslike way, due to the fact that they are at home, where not everyone is able to switch to another (business) form of behavior.

How not to fail a remote interview

If you have never encountered this kind of interview, then, of course, the first time will be the most difficult and exciting, but if you prepare well and exclude typical mistakes applicants, even the first experience can be successful. For starters, it makes sense to install the Skype program, as well as read its manual. It would also be good to practice using it - to connect with friends or relatives with its help, and if this is not possible, then you can connect, for example, with any online store that has a Skype number for communication in contacts. This practice will give you confidence and reduce your anxiety about using new program, and will also allow you not to look like a layman in front of the interviewer, since when scheduling the interview itself, you will not have any extra questions.

Details on what questions to ask the employer:

The next point is the style of clothing. Many, while at home, unconsciously project an informal home environment and interviews of this kind, just because they are at their own computer. In fact, for an employer, such an interview is just as formal as face-to-face contact, which means that when he sees a candidate in home clothes, he will be convinced of his unpreparedness, as well as the level of culture. In addition, formal wear will help to partly help you get in the right mood, as well as give you confidence in your appearance.

Of course, it is not necessary to dress in a suit with a jacket and tie in front of your own computer, but it is worth considering the required neat business appearance. In addition, many who are familiar with Skype communication have a clear understanding of it and know that the interlocutor through such a connection is visible only to the waist, which suggests the possibility of wearing formal clothes only on the upper half of the body, which is visible in the camera . Such thoughts are fraught with curiosities, for example, in the event of a camera fall or other force majeure, you may need to get up and then the interviewer will also see everything that is worn below the waist.

The third rule is to prepare a place for communication. Take care in advance that during the interview your child or pets do not run in the background, the washing machine does not rumble, and the webcam does not show things strange for the employer, such as a cartoon poster or immodest photos on your wall. We also remember the rules traditional for a regular interview regarding turning off the sound on a mobile phone (in this case, this also includes a home call, and if possible also a doorbell), preparing all the necessary documents next to the computer, including, at a minimum, a resume, a notebook and a pen .

The last important point for such an interview is the angle. Set up the camera in advance, check the Internet, turn on Skype, add the employer's number to your contacts. It is also a good idea to look at yourself through the webcam before the interview, as this will help to notice the flaws that the interviewer can see. In addition, create good lighting in the room and make sure that the overall background that the employer will see is pleasant and looks decent from the right angle.

As a rule, even before the interview, candidates try to think over possible answers that are easy to predict based on the resume. Moreover, at the end of the interview, it is customary to ask questions to the employer himself - you can sketch them in a notebook so as not to miss anything. The dialogue itself should be carried out calmly - clearly and, if possible, briefly answering the questions posed. Despite the fact that it is almost impossible to conduct stress exams and other tests that are not the most pleasant for a potential candidate via Skype, the interviewer may resort to tricky and non-standard questions, so it is important to tune in to the working mood and treat such an interview in the same way as a regular one.

In the event that the candidate passes the Skype interview successfully, it is customary to invite him to an interview in the office, where both parties can meet in person, and the candidate will finally see the premises and the team. If the interview was unsuccessful, then, in principle, it does not matter - would you like the company's office and their carpets, as well as the company's employees, or not, but you will get good experience, which will allow in the future to avoid mistakes and achieve the goal.

How to pass a skype interview?

Skype interviews are a convenient format for conducting interviews, especially for large international companies. Let me tell you a secret, more and more companies are gradually transferring some of the functions online, saving man-hours and resources, so the practice of scheduling interviews via Skype, especially with candidates who are in another city or country, is a common practice. This type of video interview is also gaining popularity, when the candidate is asked to prepare a video about himself, but we will talk about this next time.

Planning

Like any other interview, the Skype interview requires good planning and organization. If your potential employer is a large international company, and the recruiter-interviewer is in a different time zone, it is important not to make a mistake with the appointed time. The ideal option would be to set up a meeting through a task planner, for example, through Outlook, which will also show your digital approach to scheduling. In any case, check the time of the meeting according to Moscow time.

It is advisable to appear in Skype not five minutes before the start of the call, but at least 15-20 minutes in advance to make sure that the equipment is working on your part and the Internet is not failing. If your Skype nickname is kotenok88, it makes sense to create a separate profile with a business nickname for the interview.

Training

When preparing for a Skype interview, drop the Skype prefix. This is an interview like any other. The interviewer will immediately pay attention to your appearance and how you can carry yourself. Choose a decent backdrop - no smoking pots, no open cabinet doors. Check lighting. Here, as in the photo, it will be correct to set the camera so that the daylight falls on the face: your view will become more fresh and rested.

In clothing, the best option would be to use a dress code, avoid casual or informal clothes. Of course, you should not bring it to the point of absurdity, no one expects you to have a tie or a black bottom - a white top. Shirt, neutral knitwear, business dress, jewelry and cosmetics, styling - everything must be present. By the way, this will also set you in the right mood, you will stay focused and be able to talk more confidently about your achievements.

Prepare everything in advance necessary materials and files, so as not to look for them at the last moment. A video interview is the case when a good "cheat sheet" with a prepared answer, or even a question, will be in place. This is one of the advantages of an online meeting.

It is extremely important that during the video interview, the technique does not let you down. It's a shame when, in the course of a conversation with an interesting candidate, the impression arises that the candidate himself is sitting somewhere deep in the basement and, overcoming constant breaks and crackles, is trying to get in touch with you. Check the quality of the connection and sound in advance, stock up on a good headset with a microphone. Not all laptops or computers have a high-quality built-in audio system. In addition, a good headset will provide more reliable protection against extraneous noise. Try not to conduct interviews using your smartphone with an unstable mobile internet. In such cases, I recommend either trying to negotiate a rescheduling of the interview, or warning the interviewer that there may be a problem. In most cases, they will most likely understand you and go to a meeting.

Rehearsal

Pay attention to how you speak - you will be judged on the quality of your speech. No need to worry, rush, interrupt interlocutors. Try to speak clearly and to the point. Do not look away at the ceiling, interior items, look into the eyes of the interlocutor. Sometimes there can be seconds of delay during a Skype call, so it makes sense to make small pauses, and also to clarify if the connection has been lost if in doubt. If this video interview is your first experience, it makes sense to rehearse. Ask your spouse or girlfriend to come out with you on Skype, adjust the angle in which you look presentable, try communication and picture in different rooms, watch your gestures and facial expressions. Do some work on the bugs.

Focus on the essentials

Try not to distract you and your interlocutors. Turn off third-party programs and messengers and any other sound sources. For example, if you are at home, make sure that you are not disturbed by relatives or pets.

Try not to type on the keyboard. It is unlikely that your interviewer will like the pounding in his ears. But if such a need arises, for example, to find the necessary information on a computer, then be sure to use the MUTE button, this will block all extraneous sounds from your side.

smile

Remember that a living person is sitting on the other side of the monitor, you are separated by kilometers, so it is difficult for him to feel your energy. Give him this opportunity! Smile, answer questions openly, be friendly, and the interlocutor cannot help but feel sympathy for you. Good luck with your interview!

Guzel Ismagilova, HR Director at Club Med in Russia. I travel a lot and love to do it with taste. Author of the travel blog www.GuzelTravel.com. In the next article I will talk about how to combine business with pleasure: have time to see the country / city, if foreign business trip lasts only two days.

For those who prefer Facebook.

Recently, more and more recruiters offer candidates to participate in Skype interviews and telephone interviews. No one argues that this type of communication is worse than a personal meeting. However, in some situations this is the most acceptable communication option. Especially if the job seeker and the recruiter are miles apart...

Guided by the principles of expediency, recruiters, as a rule, "weed out" some of the candidates at the stage of communication by phone, inviting one or two finalists for an in-person interview. This is often done by representatives of companies with a developed branch network, as well as specialists recruiting companies who recruit outside their region.

It often happens at the moment when the initial acquaintance of the applicant and the employer has already taken place - for example, the head of the local branch meets with the candidates in person, after which he sends the resumes of the best ones to the head office for consideration. In such a case, the purpose of the Skype conversation is usually to "approve" the candidates. The Skype meeting itself can be a formality. But whatever the purpose of such communication, you should not neglect important details. Remember, first of all, this is a method of communication for the purpose of evaluation. In order to successfully pass this stage, we suggest that you consider the components of a successful remote interview.

1. Planning

Coordinate with the HR manager the exact time of communication. It is very important to have a small margin to eliminate possible technical problems. If you communicate via Skype, then add contacts in advance, check the equipment, the availability of spare communication channels, so that it is possible to warn the interlocutor about the occurrence of unforeseen circumstances. Be prepared for the fact that the interview may take a little longer than you originally planned. Agree with the interlocutor the total time of communication. Before the virtual meeting, take another look at the company's website, prepare questions, and refresh your memory with the basic data - about the vacancy, requirements, company. Don't forget the name of the person who will conduct the interview.

“Speaking of scheduling interviews, I recall a case from practice. Despite the predetermined communication time, during one interview, he referred to urgent circumstances three times and asked to call him back in 5 minutes, each time voicing new reason urgent business. As a result, communication turned out to be “intermittent” and, of course, this affected the overall impression of the candidate.”

2. Equipment

Take care of the speed of the Internet, the presence of a video camera, headphones. Constant failures in the work of technology will leave a negative imprint on the interview, in such conditions it will be difficult to make a good impression on the interlocutor. It is advisable not to use the laptop's built-in speakers, because sometimes in this case the connection deteriorates significantly. Agree that huge "gaming" headphones in style will not match a business suit. In any case, this looks very comical, and since our task is not to make the interlocutor smile, but to make a good impression exclusively with our business qualities, nothing should distract from the main thing, so choose something neutral.

Another important nuance is lighting. Perhaps subdued light will give your image a special mystery and charm, but think about whether the employer needs it?

3. Attention and focus

No distractions - perhaps this is one of the main rules of the interview by phone and Skype. Your task is to separate personal and work space. After all, it would not occur to you to bring a dog, a small child and a spouse with you to an interview. Try not to disturb anything during the conversation.

“Once, at the very beginning of a telephone interview with a candidate, I realized that communication was in danger of turning from two-way to three-way, when a child's voice squealed with joy and began to insistently demand to pass the phone to him. The candidate in this situation tried his best to demonstrate patience, methodically explaining to his daughter that "this is not a mother calling, but another aunt." For a child, such an argument was not convincing enough, and as a result, the demands turned into hysterical cries. I must say that this situation "knocked out" for a while business conversation from the rhythm.

A music center, TV, and various computer programs running in the background can also be a distraction. The latter not only emit beeps, but also, in addition, sometimes do not allow the computer to fully function, and can degrade the quality of communication.

4. Appearance

Think it over! When we go to business meeting, then select a specific style. A Skype interview is also a meeting, so it should be appropriate. Feel free to give up a dressing gown with daisies in favor of a full-fledged business suit. And it doesn't matter what kind of view the camera gives. Anecdotal stories are circulating among recruiters about "half-dressed" candidates who flouted this rule. I don't think you would like to be that character. Imagine if during the interview you have to stand up - for example, you need some documents that are not within reach.

Posture and posture play an important role. Stay straight, do not prop your head with your hands, do not lie down on the table. It is useful to control your movements, periodically looking at the second part of the picture, to see yourself "from the outside."

5. Workplace

Pay sufficient attention to its preparation, as well as creating a working mood. If you participate in a Skype interview while at home, then it can be difficult to concentrate and be in a working tone. For some candidates it is psychologically more comfortable to conduct a dialogue, in parallel fixing important points. In this case, it is good to have a pen and a piece of paper with you. You can print your own, but it is important not to attach yourself to it, not to read the prepared text, as this prevents you from revealing yourself as a candidate, as an interlocutor. Well, if in quick access you will have Required documents, letters of recommendation, portfolio. If the interlocutor needs it, you will be able to quickly respond to the request, which will give you additional advantages.

“I remember one candidate applying for the position of head of development, who, when asked about sales results, cited several numerical indicators as an example, and concluded by suggesting a series of graphs and charts illustrating the change in sales levels compared to the previous year. These charts are in in electronic format the candidate sent me within seconds without interrupting the interview, and we were able to discuss his achievements online.”

6. Confidence

Remember: the voice is one of the most important instruments. It should sound at least cheerful, so that the interlocutor on the other end of the wire has a positive impression of communication. From time to time, during interviews, we are faced with the opposite situation - for example, a candidate applies for a manager position active sales, but at the same time during the entire interview he speaks with a low intonation, languidly answers questions. There was also a candidate who yawned into the phone a couple of times. If at the same time he claims that he has the skills of negotiation, persuasion and self-presentation to perfection, then a contradiction arises. But for a person who is truly successful in negotiations, this type of interview gives a huge scope for demonstrating their skills.

7. Activity

During the interview, do not hesitate to admit that there are communication problems. Periodically ask if the other person can hear you well. Be active, ask questions, engage the interlocutor in a conversation. Remember, you have a common goal with him.

8. Work on the bugs

Sometimes for introspection it is useful to record a Skype interview in order to further correct your behavior. This work on the mistakes will allow you to increase the effectiveness of your participation in remote interviews. The main thing in this is not to overdo it, like one girl who, during a Skype interview, watched herself incessantly on a small screen. Probably, at some point she became a hostage of her desire for self-improvement, thought and, probably, forgetting about my virtual presence, she began to directly use the image as a mirror - she combed her hair, corrected her makeup ...

Today, the phone and Skype are used not only to talk with friends, but also as effective business tool: for meetings, conferences, seminars and other events, including interviews. Therefore, it is important to learn how to use this opportunity wisely. And then Skype-interview will be another step on the way to successful employment and a springboard for future professional achievements.