If you’re just graduating from hotel school, and are searching for a job abroad, chances are that you’ll be invited to a Skype interview at one point. When I applied for job in New York while living in Europe about six years ago, using Skype for a professional interview was not common yet, and I was asked to fly over to the US for a personal interview at my own expenses. Now it seems that Skype simplifies the process, and makes the interview more convenient, but does it also make it easier to get the job?

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While Skype made it much easier (and less costly) to interview with potential employers around the globe, it’s helpful to keep in mind, that

1. You never get a second chance to make a first impression! I remember applying for a job, and the recruiter asked me, if I would be available for a Skype interview. Skype by that time was mostly used for phone calls, and not for video calls yet, so I was sitting at 2 am in front of my computer (I applied from China to US, and the time difference was about 12 hours) in my pajamas. You can imagine that I was quite embarrassed when the recruiter asked me to switch on the camera… luckily I was able to talk myself out of it by telling her that my laptop was an old model without integrated camera and arranged for another appointment. Hence it’s a good advise to ensure that whatever can be seen on the camera communicates a professional image of you and your surroundings. Posters in the background of Justin Bieber don’t necessarily say anything about you or how good you are at your job, but perception becomes reality, and it does not communicate professionalism.
2. Suit up! With my favorite quote of Barney Stinson, it’s essential to be dressed up just like you would be for an interview in person, even if it’s 2 am in the morning and you’re in the comfort zone of your own apartment. Not only does it look professional, it also communicates to the recruiter that you truly care about this opportunity. Additionally it also makes you feel more excited about the interview, and helps you to be on edge (so sitting in front of the computer with a nice shirt and jacket, but without pants, doesn’t work)
3. Don’t be lazy! When I was flying from Europe to the US six years ago to get a job, I showed the interviewer that I truly cared about getting the position (and not just applied for the fun of it), and that I spared no expenses and efforts to achieve this goal. Skype as convenient as it is, does not provide us with this opportunity to show efforts, care, and to impress, and every little detail will count during the interview. Impress your recruiter by being on time, dressed up in professional surroundings and well prepared (see preparing for an interview).
4. Smile and try to make camera contact! Smiling makes a great first impression, and sitting straight keeps you focused and looks professional. Try to look into the camera while speaking and don’t look to your notes on your keyboard.
5. Do not use notes! Back in the days of phone interviews, I loved to have my notes in front of me, and reading right off them when being asked questions by the recruiter. While the interviewer would not be able to see me, I learned that you can tell by the tone of voice. Your potential employer wants to get to know you and not have you reading the notes in front of you that most of the time don’t even answer the questions and make you sound like any other graduate who wants to have a job and talks about having the same qualities. So while you could post the notes next to the camera, and the interviewer would not be able to tell immediately, it will make you nervous, keep you from being yourself and from telling your story.
6. Talk slow and clear. Just like with a phone interview, you’ll find yourself as a limited personality in a Skype interview, as you’re not able to present yourself as you would during a personal interview. I have the disadvantage of talking very fast, so I usually say right at the beginning of an interview that people in New York talk fast, and I am just trying to fit, but to please interrupt me, if it’s getting out of hand (my attempt of breaking the ice).

Question: What is your experience with Skype interviews?