Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Top 6 Skype Interview Mistakes
Skype interviews are becoming more and more popular with employers, internal recruiters, head hunters and agency recruiters. Skype interviews make sense, they’re a win-win for everyone because they’re cost effective and time effective.
Make sure that when you’re invited to attend a Skype interview you don’t make the same mistakes as many others do.
The top 6 Skype Interview mistakes chosen by Jobhop in reverse order are:
No 6 goes to...
KinkyKate and BigGuyBill
The Skype address that makes all interviewers shudder. There really are some people who don’t think about changing their Skype address, they’re either too lazy to or they’re just not aware! Before giving your Skype address out just make sure it’s appropriate, if it isn’t then change it.
No 5 goes to...
Where are you?
This question asked by the interviewer is usually because of two reasons. The first is because you’ve forgotten or not quite worked out how to put the video on so the interviewer can’t see you. If you’ve not used Skype before or you’re still a novice on it then my advice is to have a trial run the day before, ask one of your friends to Skype call you and run through the motions with them.
The second reason you might get asked the question “where are you?” is when the room you’re Skype calling from is so badly lit that all the interviewer can see is darkness. Test all the lighting prior to the Skype interview and make sure you’ll be seen on the day.
No 4 goes to...
Here’s my dirty laundry
This common mistake is easily avoidable with a little preparation. How off putting for an interviewer who’s trying to find out about you but is distracted by your pile of dirty socks and pants just behind you. Not bothering to check your background before going onto a Skype call could put the whole interview in jeopardy. This very silly mistake will make you look careless, unprepared and slobbish.
No 3 goes to...
Can you hear me?
A bit like number 4 but instead of the interviewer asking where you are, you’re asking them if they can hear you. This is because you’ve not done a trial run and on the day your internet connection is so bad that the interviewer keeps losing you. It’s not going to be the interviewer who hasn’t tested their internet connection, they’re Skype calling regularly, it’s you! Make sure you have good internet connection prior to the Skype call, if you haven’t then hold the interview somewhere else.
No 2 goes to...
Munch Munch, Slurp slurp
This is hard to believe but it happens, just make sure you never do this ...eat your breakfast, lunch, snack, tea or drink your coffee whilst having a Skype interview. No one wants to see you spitting your food all over the place when they ask you any questions. You wouldn’t do it at a regular interview so don’t do it on a virtual interview either.
No 1 goes to...
Slob clothes
The classic, because it’s a Skype interview you think you can do it in your pyjamas with your bed head look, no you can’t! What you would wear to the interview if it were on their premises is what you’d wear on a Skype interview. Some people will try and get away with just the top half in interview dress and bottom half in pyjamas but there’s been instances where the interviewer has seen the bottom half because they got up, moved or the camera angle enabled them to see, so don’t risk it.
Learn by these mistakes, oh and there’s one more... When the interview has finished make sure properly end the call before you say “Phew, glad that’s finished”
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Julie Bishop Jobhop.co.uk
Pic credit Allert Aalders
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