If you’ve been asked to attend a job interview, you may only be one or two steps away from securing your dream apprenticeship or traineeship. This is why it’s so important to ensure you impress your interviewer and give yourself the best chance of clinching the position.
Still searching for the right apprenticeship or traineeship? Use the comprehensive resources at BUSY At Work’s Apprenticeship Central site to find available opportunities in your area.
But how should you prepare for an interview over Skype? Statistic Brain Research Institute figures show that over 75 million people use the software worldwide, and 35 per cent of SMEs carry out all their communications via Skype.
With more businesses using the tool, you could be asked to attend a Skype interview. Here’s some advice on how to excel in this type of situation.
- Become familiar with Skype. Make sure you download the program and learn how to use it well ahead of your interview. This includes making practise calls, adjusting the settings for optimal audiovisual control and adding your interviewer as a contact.
- Find a reliable internet connection. While you won’t have to worry as much about getting lost or being late to your interview, you could encounter technical problems. A reliable internet connection is vital, so consider forgoing wireless for the day and plugging directly into the router for the duration of your call.
- Consider your surroundings and attire. Find a location where there are no noise or distractions but with good light and comfortable seating – you don’t want to spend your interview fidgeting. You should also consider what to wear; the temptation will be to go less formal, but many people feel dressing up – even for a Skype interview – makes them feel more confident.
- Take advantage of Skype features. Skype allows you to transfer files, share screens and perform a range of other functions that can help you succeed in your interview. Do you have examples of previous work or projects on your computer? Have the files ready to send across at a moment’s notice if your prospective employer asks.
- Keep notes on your computer. If you often get flustered in interviews or struggle to remember things under pressure, you can keep a copy of your notes onscreen without the interviewer knowing. You shouldn’t read from them verbatim, but they could prove useful if you lose your train of thought or forget a small detail.
By Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
