Skype interviews – 6 insights to success

By Wings Recruitment

Online interviewing is a very popular technique for employers and recruiters to assess potential candidates. Skype is just one way to perform online interviews, and we understand there are many more.

This is a very easy and cost-effective way to interview candidates located in another geographical location who apply for a role, or to interview candidates who, due to time constraints are unable to be present for a face-to-face interview with the potential employer. In this blog we will discuss some of the dos and don’ts when completing an online interview.

Treating an online interview as you would a face to face interview is key

All the regular steps you would follow to prepare for a face-to-face interview should also be done for an online interview. Dress to impress, be on time to start your interview, research your employer, be polite and ask questions. For more details about interview tips and tricks check out our blog on 10 Tips to help you succeed in a pilot interview.

Here are six of the most important factors to consider when interviewing on Skype:

1. Test your connection

Before you start your call, be sure to check your internet connection is working and that your camera, speakers and microphone are also working correctly. Skype have an echo/sound test service which you can call to test your settings and ensure your camera and microphone are functioning correctly and are ready for the call.

2. Dress up

An online interview should be treated as you would a face-to-ace interview, so dressing up is a must! Looking well-dressed and well-groomed are important, if you want to create a good first impression and get the job.

3. Clear your background and choose a quiet location for your interview

Make sure your background is clean and tidy. A messy and cluttered background will get the interviewers’ attention for the wrong reasons and possibly create a bad impression.

Choosing the right location to have the interview is also key, stay clear of cars, kitchens, toilets and garages. These are not appropriate locations, instead, choose a quiet location such as a study where you can close the door to minimise any noise or disruptions. Creating a good impression is paramount when it comes to having a successful interview.

4. Remember to watch your body language

Just because you are not seeing the interviewer in person, don’t forget they will be watching your body language on camera, as they would during a real face-to-face interview. Try to remain relaxed, yet focused during the interview and smile when appropriate.

5. Use your laptop or PC

Use your laptop or PC if possible and not your mobile phone for a more formal type of call such as an interview. Mobile phones are fine when talking to friends or colleagues but ideally you want to use a device with better video quality and that does not move around when interviewing.

6. Provide the interviewer alternative contact details, should the connection fail

Make sure the interviewer has a contact mobile number for you, should you have internet connection or speed issues. If this is the case, the interviewer will likely want to continue the interview over the phone to minimise disruption.

Paying attention to all these details will help you focus on answering the questions and getting on with your interview.

We can help you

Our experienced consultants are also happy to provide you with advice should you have any other questions about this topic. Feel free to contact us for more information. You can also view our current positions and register as a candidate.

By Mariana Bould

Mariana is a Recruitment Consultant here at WINGS Recruitment. She enjoys recruiting experienced flight crew for airlines worldwide and is passionate about developing and enhancing compliance processes within the business.