The internet has changed the way in which people do business, and it has also changed the face of recruitment. The traditional format of attending an interview in person is still the favored option, but online interviews via Skype and Join Me have become increasingly popular.
Related: 6 Online Interview Mistakes To Avoid
It's not surprising that interviewing online is on the rise. It's cheaper for employees, it saves time, plus it means greater scope for attracting candidates who live further away. If you've been invited to attend an online interview, here are the five ways you'll achieve success.
Here are five tips to perfect your online interviews:
1. Set the scene.
You may be at home. But this doesn't mean you should have kids shouting in the background, dogs barking or doorbells ringing. When you're being interviewed, make sure there are no distractions. Leave a note on the front door, asking that people don't disturb you. Take the home phone off the hook. Switch off your mobile. Remove any piles of laundry or clutter sitting behind you. In short, do whatever you can to ensure that you're able to completely focus on the task at hand.
2. Double-check for faults.
Technology has a habit of letting you down when you need it most. Don't let your interview become the victim of a faulty internet connection or a broken laptop. Double-check everything works a few hours before you're due to be interviewed. This will give you enough time to resolve any problems that may arise.
3. Dress to impress.
This may be a remote interview, but it's still an important process, and you need to create the right impression. If you're being interviewed via Skype, you'll be clearly visible, and sitting in an old t-shirt and jeans won't impress your prospective
employers. Even if you're having an interview with the visuals switched off, dressing in office attire can help to get you in the right frame of mind.
4. Be prepared.
Don't make the mistake of presuming that, because you're at home, you can get away with being underprepared. Take every bit as much care as you would if you were attending the interview in person. Do your homework; get to know the company, its ethos and practices to ensure that you know what you're talking about.
5. Make eye contact.
Sometimes, when conversing online, it's easy to forget that you're talking to a real person. However, it's vital to remember throughout the entire process that you are in an interview. As a result, sneakily surfing the internet, sending a text to your mom or gazing out the window are not good ideas, if you want to give the impression that you're paying full attention.
Whilst being interviewed in the comfort of your own house can take much of the nerves and stress out of the interview experience, it's still important to treat the occasion with the respect it deserves, especially if you want to get the job. Your future employer may be sitting hundreds of miles away, but that doesn't mean you can get away with giving less than 100 %!
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Karen Rehn has 13 years experience in the staffing industry. Her zest for business and desire to leave Wisconsin winters behind led her to purchase Helping Hands Staffing Services, which is now known as
HH Staffing. She says, "One of the greatest rewards of working in the staffing industry is the ability to make a real difference in the lives of others, I truly believe that our industry has an obligation to actively contribute to enhancing our communities and improving the lives of our employees."
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. 
