DO NOT MAKE EXCUSES

If you are asked to do an interview over Skype or Gmail call, saying you would rather do the interview over the phone, or that you have a bad internet connection, or even worse, that you do not have Skype or Gmail address, this is a fail. You have just answered ‘no’ to your first interview question. Congrats! If you want this job – find a way to make it work, even if it is not convenient.

You would not be the first person to download Skype or make a Gmail address, create an account, and immediately email your interviewer back with a ‘yes’ and your username. Be sure you have downloaded, installed, and tested Skype app well before your interview is scheduled – the sooner the better. Have video chats with several friends to make sure everything is working properly on a variety of systems.

SPEAKING OF USERNAMES, MAKE SURE YOURS IS PROFESSIONAL.

Anything that is difficult to read or is strange makes a bad first impression. Be boring and use your name.

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DRESS THE PART

When it comes to what you wear, treat your Skype interview like an in-person interview and dress professionally from head to toe (or at least from head to waist!) A professional dress code with video interviews is expected, and not excused. Please, keep in mind you are doing interview for a job in a Muslim country, so respect this fact and do cover your shoulders and do not wear a t-shirt or a shirt with visible cleavage or big décolletage. Make sure you hair is tied (an employer would like to see your face and have eye contact with you). Please do not wear a lot of jewellery and a lot of make-up.

THINK ABOUT YOUR LOCATION AND PREPARE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

What is behind you matters. Set up a clean, neutral background with good lighting. Avoid basements, public and noisy areas.

ELIMINATE INTERRUPTIONS

That’s not just telling your roommate or mother to steer clear. It is turning off any notifications on your computer. Silencing your phone. Closing your mail client. Facebook.

Set up a professional-looking space that will not distract from the conversation. Do not have a basket of laundry on the sofa behind you or an open door that reveals a hallway full of trash bags. Avoid using your bedroom: having your bed and nightstand in the background is a little too personal. If you have kids, you will need someone to mind them. If you have pets, put them out of the room. A careful set-up, well in advance, is very important for a successful interview.

SET UP AHEAD OF TIME

Make sure you are available at least one hour before the interview scheduled time.

An employer may finish earlier with the previous candidate or for some reason previous candidate could not have made the interview or it was cancelled, so they may call you earlier. You will receive the Skype ID of the employer as well, so that you can add them in case they cannot find you.

USE A HEADSET

For sound, your voice should come through without any echoes, hums or buzzing. If in doubt, invest in a headset. It is better to wear one than to have poor sound quality that will distract from what you say. Make sure that your microphone and camera are working well before the interview.

GET IN THE ZONE

You have to pay special attention to what’s going on during a Skype interview. The interviewer can see you, but it is more difficult to pick up on visual cues when you are struggling to keep your attention focused on the camera.

Pay attention to your body language.

  • Focus on sitting up straight and making eye contact, which is a lot more difficult than it may appear. Again, you will be tempted to keep your eyes on the monitor, but focus instead on the webcam. When you do, interviewers will see you looking at them directly.
  • Lean forward, and nod during the conversation so the interviewers can see that you are engaged.

All of this is in addition to the preparation you would do ahead of a telephone or an in-person interview.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ALSO SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK

Any questions related to topic are welcome. You can ask about possible promotions, any available hospital education and what kind of hospital education they are providing etc.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Take notes about what you were asked and how you answered.
Remember to contact you Recruitment Consultant with post interview feedback, so they will be in position to brief the employer/interviewers if necessary.