Preparing For An Online Job Interview

Ever had an online video interview as part of a job search? Chances are that if you haven't, you will soon. Every day, more recruiters are using this tool to save time and money. But because pitching their credentials by computer is new for many job seekers, mistakes are common. Here are some smart tips in order to present yourself onscreen as a capable candidate:

Set the stage. Whether you're in a home office or in a studio apartment, the background your interviewer sees needs to look as professional as possible. A cluttered space is a strike against you before you even open your mouth. "You'll be painting a picture of a disorganized person who lets things pile up," says Bill Horne of William Warren Consulting.

Get Rid of Distractions "Make sure that [you're] the only living object in view. Maybe you're 27 and living with your parents, but the person interviewing you doesn't need to know that. Let the people in your life know what's happening, and insist they stay at the opposite side of the house/apartment. If you have kids, it would be helpful to have a babysitter come to make sure there is no crying during the Skype session. And pets should also be out of view."--Rich DeMatteo, Co-Founder of Bad Rhino, a social media marketing firm, and Founder of Corn on the Job, a job search blog, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ask if the connection is clear. Avoid technical difficulties by immediately asking if your interviewer can hear and see you clearly. "It is in your best interest not to proceed if technical difficulties present themselves as the interviewer will be challenged in focusing on your responses and it has the potential to reflect poorly on you," says Lynda Zugec, managing director at The Workforce Consultants. If needed, ask to quickly reboot the connection. 

Plug In Securely "Plug your computer into an ethernet port, and plug your headphones into the computer's jack. You want direct ethernet access because it's far more stable than wireless, and you want to have headphones in to avoid playback from the speakers."--Fan Bi, Founder + Chief Shirt, Blank Label, Boston, Massachussetts

Watch the interviewer. Look directly into the camera instead of at your interviewer on the screen or at your image. This will create direct eye contact. For some candidates, the urge to watch themselves is too strong, and it becomes a distraction for both parties. "If you can't get used to seeing your image as you talk, turn off the two-[way] shot," suggests career expert Nicole Williams, founder of Works by Nicole Williams.

Posture. Your posture should convey that you are relaxed yet attentive. So lean in ever-so-slightly, but don't crowd the camera (and in turn, the interviewer), warns Kendall Slagle, public relations manager at online coupon publisher Vertive. "Do not sit too close to the camera, and sit up straight."

Put Your Hands Where They Can See Them "Make sure that the camera on your computer gives a good shot of your head and shoulders, as well as of your hands. Remember that a good portion of understanding comes from body language and other non-verbal cues, so you want to make sure that the upper half of your body is showing."--John Heckers, MA, CPC, BCPC, "Heckers Development 

 Group, LTD, 
Cherry Creek, Colorado

Dress For Success "It may seem like a good idea to wear a dressy top, and shorts below where you think the camera might not see it. But you might be surprised how wardrobe malfunctions can happen. Dress the part 100 percent... just like you are going into a real interview, which this is!"--Dawn Rasmussen, CMP, president of Pathfinder Writing and Career Services, Portland, Oregon

Dress Dark With A Touch Of Color "As in any on-camera scenarios, don't wear stripes or tight woven patterns such as hounds tooth because they'll come across like strobe lights to your interviewer. It's best to wear a darker color with accents of jewel tones in a tie, or for a ladies shirt under a suit jacket, to bring a little color to the image." --Jennifer Johnson, Founder, J. Johnson Executive Search, Inc., New York, New York

Don't talk over your interviewer. Connection delays make this an easy mistake to commit, and it can make for an uncomfortable conversation. "Wait for the interviewer to stop speaking before you answer. This also gives you a few seconds to think about what you want to say before you speak," says attorney and consultant Jessica Silverstein, founder of Attorneys Counsel NY.

Smile. Since you're speaking to a computer, it can be tempting to act like a robot. And that's not going to help you sell yourself. "The candidate's face is the only window that the interviewer has to their personality," notes Christy Grimste, director of teacher placement firm Educators Overseas. The fix is simple: "Put a sticky note above the computer reminding [you] to smile."

Don't repeatedly touch your face. We all touch our faces throughout the day, but when someone is staring directly at you, it becomes more obvious and unsettling. "Be mindful of your self-touching, such as itching your nose or touching your hair, as it can make you appear nervous or uncertain -- the last thing you want in a Skype interview, where the viewing window is so small," says communication expert Wayne Soares.

Sit in well lit room or area. Your interviewer wants to see you in order to "meet" you. Otherwise, they would've asked you for a phone interview. "If your lighting is too dark, the interviewer will not get a clear picture of who you are and might be distracted," says Amanda Guaralski, president of bizMe Consulting. It's a good idea to practice a Skype interview just like you would any other. Your practice interviewer can alert you to any issues they perceive, lighting or otherwise. 

Get A Handle On It "Whether it's Skype, an instant-messaging client, or another videoconferencing app, you likely have a user name or "handle" that you sign in with. Make sure it's not something like beerlover2011 or casanova4u. As with your email account, choose something professional -- if you can't use just your name because it's already taken, try your name combined with your industry (jsmith_writer, for instance)."--Charles Purdy, senior editor and career expert, Monster.com, San Francisco, California

Source:Amy Levin-Epstein

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