Let’s go back a few months to the previous spring semester. I’m sweating profusely and chugging an extra large Red Bull while speed walking to my dorm. The short walk between the Field House and Clark Hall seems eternal; I repeatedly glance at my phone and count down the minutes. I should have left earlier. I shouldn’t have gone to work at all. I barrel through the bike shed and swipe my card four or five times before finally entering through the emergency exit (Oops!). On my way up the stairs I pass my roommate, who is watching hockey in the TV room, and feel a tremendous relief. She already got all her things and is out of the room. Brilliant. I throw my bag on my bed that is lofted way too high and start clearing the clutter off my desk. I button up a clean blue and white striped shirt, comb and pull my hair half up/half down, and prop my laptop onto my desk. It’s 10:17am and I dust a final layer of loose powder of my face while Skype loads.

… This is not ideally how you would prepare for a Skype interview (Now you know!). I suppose the interview must have gone well, as I managed to get the job and spend an invaluable time in New York this summer, but in hindsight, I know things could have gone a lot more smoothly. Here are some things I’m glad I did and other things I wish I had done differently (Be sure to take note of these “do’s and don’ts”!):

• I’m glad I had the opportunity to do a Skype interview. Many employers consider the interview, both in person and via Skype, an integral part of the hiring process. Additionally, an increasing number of employers are utilizing Skype as a professional tool because it enables intimate conversation with prospective hires from all around the world and spares them the costly expense of travel. Download Skype here and familiarize yourself with the application.
• I wish I had scheduled a better time to interview. My interviewer lived on the east coast, which meant she was also living in a completely different time zone. I had to be mindful that she was three hours ahead of me – although it was only 10:17am in California, it was already 1:17pm in New York – so I scheduled an early morning interview. However, I found out a little too late that a 10:30am interview would entail chaos for me. I had to leave work immediately after my shift was over, and eat and dress in less than an hour.
• I’m glad I warned my roommate ahead of time that I would be conducting a Skype interview in our room that day. By communicating with my roommate early, I was able to secure a quiet space where I wouldn’t be interrupted and she was able to make plans to be somewhere else for half an hour (It would have been incredibly rude to exile her out of blue!). For peace of mind, I also silenced my phone and exited programs, such as Groupwise and Facebook, so that I wouldn’t be distracted by notifications during my interview.
• I wish I had worn a solid colored blouse rather than one with stripes. Stripes or busy patterns tend to appear distorted on camera and thus distract from your face. Jennifer Johnson, founder of J. Johnson Executive Search, Inc., recommends a dark solid colored outfit with a pop of color somewhere. To make up for the distraction, I did my best to stimulate eye contact by looking directly at the camera rather than at the thumbnail of my interviewer. Sometimes things don’t always go the way we plan, but it’s important make the best of the situation!

Here are some helpful links to consult before your next Skype interview:

1. Learn How to Ace a Skype Interview – About.com Article 1

2. Video Interviewing With Skype – About.com Article 2

3. How to Ace a Job Interview on Skype – Time Video

What is your experience with job interviews, both in person and via Skype? If you have experience with both types, how are they similar and how are they different?