Remote interviews are here to stay. Whether you are interviewed on Skype, Google Hangout, or another similar service, your time before the camera is coming.
It may be with a prospective employer, or a reporter may want to interview you from afar. Yes, even high profile media outlets have taken to holding interviews via online video services. While the quality may not be the best, the broadcaster saves money by avoiding the need to rent a studio for your appearance. In addition, it offers flexibility of presenting breaking news from remote places.
The Skype phenomenon means a new ballgame for news sources and job candidates who are asked to participate in this type of remote exchange.
Keep these points in mind when you’re on the hot seat for a remote interview:
- Practice—a lot. Skype’s relative newness on the interview scene means that even veteran media sources and savvy job seekers have relatively little experience with this format. The solution? Engage in a few more practice interviews beforehand.
- Look into the camera of your PC or mobile device. Some Skype interviewees tend to look at their monitor, not the camera. Bad move. Keep your eye contact locked on your camera lens.
- Assume someone is always watching. You will likely have no way of knowing what is being broadcast at the moment, so avoid any embarrassing acts, i.e. yawning, scratching, napping, or worse.
- Stage your backdrop. Decide on an appropriate background. Something with your logo or product or your book, for example.
- Heed your lighting. Be sure you are adequately lit from a source in front of you. This allows you to be seen on the other end and avoids offending viewers with background glare.
- Keep the background noise down. While the microphone on your PC or mobile device isn’t top quality, it can still pick up distracting sounds.
- Prepare for conversational delays. Connections are not always solid, so be prepared to wait a beat or two before the next question comes through.
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