Technology Changes the Way We Interview

Skype interviews are the wave of the future. For those who do not know what "skype" is, it's a software application that allows users to make video calls, hence conducting interviews over the Internet. Why is this progressive method becoming so popular? It's largely financial. Companies are trying to cut costs any way they can and travel is a huge component of high expenses. Flying a candidate out and putting him or her up in a hotel overnight to conduct an in-person interview can prove to be a huge waste of time and a waste of money. So to utilize such economical features as a computer webcam, sit in the comfort of your own office while conducting an interview in the comfort of the candidate's own home, makes sense on several levels. The video conference also provides those elements that may be lacking in a phone interview in being able to see body language, facial expressions, and getting an overall more in-depth sense of what the candidate is saying.

Naturally, the transition from in-person to online isn't without its hiccups. Fuzzy transmissions, dropped calls (especially on wireless networks) and unusual disruptions are all par for the course. Tip No. 1: Get your dog out of barking range before you start the interview.

A few other tips to remember: make sure your webcam is positioned at the right angle and in an appropriate location in your home. Best not to have a professional interview in your bedroom or bathroom! Don't let your surroundings be too sterile with a blank white wall behind you sitting squared off to the camera. You risk looking like you're in a police line-up. Angle yourself to the camera, have the first three buttons of your shirt showing, not just your head or you look like you're floating on the computer screen. Keep in mind the person on the other end of the camera can see what you look like so present yourself and your ambiance accordingly. Avoid wearing patterns or white as it distracts from your face on a computer screen and make "eye-contact" by looking into the camera when answering the interviewer questions, but look at the screen when listening.

Finally, be prepared just as you would if you were walking into an office. Have your resume ready, have your thoughts organized to answer typical interview questions and do a dry-run with your computer equipment as to minimize technical difficulties.