Interview for remote work. Pros and cons of a Skype interview. How not to fail an interview. Pros and cons

Probably, each of us is familiar with the legendary phrase from the film "The Diamond Arm" performed by the bandit Lelik: "So that you live on one salary!" Unfortunately, to this day it has not lost its relevance. After all, it can no longer be denied that the part-time job has become integral part labor activity modern society.

And for this reason, more and more applicants are interested in the question of whether it is possible to acquire an additional source of income from daily payment without investing on the Internet? The answer is obvious - definitely!

Advertising services

The simplest part-time job on the Internet without investment is making money by watching audiovisual ads. Such work will not bring you exorbitant fees, but it will provide you with a daily and uninterrupted payment.

The thing is that your activity will be limited to clicks on advertising links and participation in marketing research... Without exaggeration, this is an ideal way to make a profit not only at home, but also when there is no workload at the main job. When, in between playing Klondike and printing documents, you can earn an extra ten rubles by performing elementary and, by and large, primitive tasks ...

Initially, the Internet was a tool for obtaining information, later people realized that it can serve as a means of entertainment: this moment was marked by the opening of many entertainment services and social networks. Many people now use it mainly for this purpose, completely unaware that on the Internet you can not only get information and have fun, but also work!

The idea of \u200b\u200bworking on the Internet seems attractive to many, which is not surprising: you can work from home from your computer or even from your phone, there is no need to get up early in the morning and experience all the other inconveniences of everyday life that most people face. But is it so likely that the expectations of a novice worker will come true, and the dream will become a reality? This article will consider in detail the popular ways to make money online, professions that involve working from home, sites for finding remote work, and, of course, will pay attention to questions about the profitability of one way or another.

How much can you earn online?

Income depends on many factors, you can earn $ 100, devoting several hours a day to this and without spending time and effort on education and building a reputation, or you can have an income of $ 5,000 a month, working full time and master one of the demanded professions ! There are plenty of such examples, these are not isolated cases.

An example of a payment from one of the sites for completing simple tasks

In fact, networking in this regard is not much different from normal work. Much depends on how much experience a person has in a particular business, how much time a day he is willing to devote to work, and, in the end, what kind of activity on the Internet he has chosen for himself. All existing ways of earning money can be roughly divided into 3 categories. All of them do not require investment and are available to everyone who has a computer.

Simple job

This category includes all activities that do not require any professional skills from the employee. Practically everyone who knows a little bit how to use a computer and the Internet can do this kind of work. Naturally, wages here are low (200-500 rubles per day) compared to the other two categories.

Work on exchanges

Such work already requires knowledge in a certain field of activity, but at the same time, almost everyone is capable of obtaining it in such quantity on their own that they can work. Accordingly, they pay more for such work (from 500 to 3000 rubles per day).

Remote work

Here it is often required to have deep professional skills, which, however, you can get yourself, but this will take a lot of time. However, the efforts spent are quite worthwhile - an employee here can receive from 500 to 4000 rubles a day.

Video: Remote work on the Internet at home without investment and deception: payment every day + 7 vacancies, 4 sites

What do you need to surf the Internet?

To start working on the Internet at home, it is enough to provide yourself with two tools that will be used repeatedly in the future:

  • Email
  • Online wallet


Both can be obtained absolutely free.

Email can be registered with popular services such as Yandex, Mail.ru or Gmail... It will be used to register on sites.

An electronic wallet is needed to withdraw the earned funds. Modern domestic and foreign services for making money mainly work with payment systems Qiwi, Webmoney, Payeer or PerfectMoney... It is recommended to register for several of the above at once.

Also, the money earned can be withdrawn to a plastic card, but usually after the funds have been received to your electronic wallet.

Review of the best sites for making money


At the moment, there are a huge number of different ways to make money on the Internet at home without investment. Novice workers often find it difficult to navigate in such a variety. Not knowing which way to look and which not, people often encounter scammers. To help novice employees avoid fraudulent tricks and quickly start making real money, below is a list of popular ways to make money and services that are time-tested and will definitely not cheat with payment.

Earnings on the simplest tasks

This includes such types of work where you need to perform elementary actions - clicks, registration on sites, installing applications on mobile phone and some others.

The job is simple, and you shouldn't expect a very high income from it, of course, but making money on these sites can be a good addition to income from your main job and an excellent opportunity to earn first money for beginners.

Consider two popular services that provide this type of earnings.

  • ProfitTask.com

A middle-aged resource, operating since 2014, where it is proposed to perform all the above actions for money.

There is an official program that can be installed on a computer and used for work, however, you can work through the site. Brief statistics of the service are rearranged below.


As you can see, it is quite popular, however, there are a lot of tasks to complete, and there will be enough for everyone, no one will leave without profit.

  • Prospero.ru

It is also a very popular service for making money on simple actions. While working on this site, you will receive money by completing the following tasks - employees are often asked to watch videos on YouTube, like and write comments, and leave reviews for stores on Yandex.Market. At the moment, almost 700 thousand users have already registered here.

Earnings in social networks

This way of earning is similar to the first, but there are differences between them. Here, all tasks are tied to social. networks. The performer is required to like posts, photos and videos, make reposts, join groups and invite friends to them.

  • VKTarget.ru

Today it is the most popular project that provides customers with the opportunity to increase the attendance of their projects, and performers - to earn. There are tasks for 6 popular social media. networks: VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Of the advantages, it is worth noting the instant verification of tasks, which allows you not to waste time waiting for the customer's approval. The high salary is also pleasing - for one click here they can pay up to 1 ruble, which you can hardly find anywhere these days.

But there were some drawbacks - there are usually very few tasks available here, and therefore it will not work on a regular basis only on this site, but the tasks are well paid.

  • V-like.ru

Service very similar to VKTarget. All popular social networks and the corresponding tasks for them are also available here. The situation is similar with payment for work.

Earnings from watching videos

One of the most simple ways, implying mainly passive earnings. They pay here either for the performer's viewing of other people's videos, or for other users' views of the video posted by the performer (the same passive earnings).

  • Moevideo.club


At first glance, this is the most common video hosting. However, it differs from those. In addition to, in fact, the opportunity to make money, he stands out for the fact that here you can publish both your own and other people's videos with YouTube and RuTube... If you add a popular video in time, you can make good money.

  • Vizona.ru

This service works in a different way - here the performer is paid to view short videos, the length of which rarely exceeds 30 seconds. The earnings are extremely modest, but the complexity of the work is quite appropriate.

  • Metacafe.com

A foreign service similar to Visone. But he has serious advantages over her: payment is made not in rubles, but in dollars, there are a lot of tasks, and payments are made very quickly. In times of crisis, making a profit in foreign currency is an extremely profitable business.

Earnings on site views and clicks (active advertising exchanges)

Perhaps one of the easiest and most popular ways to make money with daily payments. He fell in love with everyone for the fact that there is always a lot of work on active advertising services for every taste.

  • Seo-Fast.ru

The second most popular bookbox (another name for active advertising services), with which many experienced workers started. It is highly recommended for a beginner to try it out, as being here will open your eyes to many aspects of making money online. And there really is something to do here:


  • SocPublic.com

Also a very popular resource. The first thing that catches your eye is a high-quality, well-designed design. For some reason, the creators of the axle boxes do not always care about making their project look modern, but the developers of SocPublic have done their best.


It is good not only in appearance, but also in the work that they can offer us here, as well as a low threshold for withdrawal (only 1 kopeck). Experienced referrals note that the service has a profitable referral program.

  • Profitcentr.com

And the creators of this box, quite by accident, left on their website a memo for freeloaders who want to receive money on the Internet without doing anything, very clearly!


We must never forget that in order to make money on the Internet, you must first of all work hard. Here, as in real life, nothing is simply given to anyone.

Earnings from a mobile phone

The development of mobile technology has gone so far that it is now possible to make money even from a smartphone (or tablet) on Android or iOS.

There are special applications to make money from your phone. The essence of the work is to download other applications for money. Sometimes you just need to download the application, in some cases they ask you to keep it on your phone for a while.

The most popular service here is AdvertApp. You can download it on Google Play and AppStore.


Earnings on captcha input

Captcha is a set of letters, numbers and symbols that is sometimes asked to enter when registering on sites to prove that it is not a robot who is registering. Now you can earn money for solving such pictures.


  • RuCaptcha.com and 2Captcha.com

Two very similar services, differing from each other only in that the first is in Russian and the second is in English. They are the most popular sites for making money on captcha in the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet. The pay here is very modest, but you must admit that hardly anyone can offer millions for such work. However, the payment depends on what type of captcha you decide (normal or with pictures) and on the time of day.


Earnings on reviews and comments

This is a real heaven for those who often leave comments and love to do so. Now it is also possible to receive money for this, while reviews are needed on a variety of topics.

  • Otzovik.com


The system of the service is as follows: the performer writes a review, and then for the views of this review by other users, he is credited with money. To increase your earnings, you need to try to leave detailed and detailed reviews.

  • QComment

It is very similar to Otzovik, but you have to place reviews not on the site itself, but on various advertisers' sites. Here you can also receive money for various activities in social networks. This service is more focused on the promotion of Internet projects.

Earnings on surveys

This method allows you to provide yourself with a small additional income with almost zero time investment. Its only drawback is that there are many fraudulent services that do not give anything in return for the completed polls. However, the projects described below have been working steadily for several years already, and there is no doubt about their reliability.

  • Internetopros.ru

Stable questionnaire site operating since 2007. On average, 40 rubles are paid for a survey. Check your registration email as often as possible so you don't miss new polls.

  • Platnijopros.ru

A good project that allows residents of all CIS countries to earn money. On the plus side, new polls come quite often and don't take much time.

  • Rubklub.ru

This service immediately tries to win over a new user. One has only to fill out the form, and 150 rubles will already be credited to your account. The rest of the service is similar to the two described above.

Earnings on viewing ads

One of the newest ways to make money with daily pay. It consists in installing the browser extension on your computer by the executor, which later, with some frequency, shows banners with advertisements in the browser. As a rule, banners are displayed in the corners of windows and do not interfere with browsing sites.

it good way passive earnings without investments, which can bring from several tens to several thousand rubles per month.

  • SurfEarner.com


The most popular Russian-language service for making money on banner advertising... There are plugins for all popular browsers (Opera, Google Chrome, Yandex Browser and Firefox).

  • P2P.bz


Works exactly like SurfEarner. Install the free P2P.bz extension and get paid for viewing ads that are shown as a teaser on every page you visit!

Earnings on social media groups networks and sites

Also one of the newest ways to make money on the Internet and at the same time one of the most difficult. In social networks, its essence lies either in creating your own "public" and its promotion in order to place further advertising for money, or in working in an already existing group as a content manager (posting content on a social network). The first option is really difficult and will require investments, the second is much simpler, but not as profitable.


Example of prices for advertising in the Vkontakte group

Remote work and freelance

For those who have any professional skills, there may be jobs in their specialties on the Internet. Let's consider the most popular professions for which remote work from home via the Internet is currently available.


Estimated income for freelancers

Profession number 1: Copywriter

The easiest work on the Internet at home without investment. The point is to create unique text content for websites. The texts created by the copywriter can be of any form - selling, descriptions of goods and services, technical description, narrative description.

A copywriter is required to be able to express his thoughts competently and intelligibly. Those who know how to do this should try their hand at copywriting, especially since it is quite a profitable business - experienced copywriters receive from 45 to 100 thousand rubles. You can see the copywriting exchanges where we recommend working.

Profession # 2: Designer

A very extensive occupation, which at the same time requires serious skills and brings a good income. Those who want to do this seriously should have an understanding of web design, print and technical design, creation of flash graphics and illustrations. Each of these areas is wide enough and has its own specific audience of customers. It is not easy to become a high-paid designer, but with the effort you can reach up to $ 3,000 per project.

Profession number 3: Programmer

At the moment, this profession is considered one of the highest paid in the world. Since the work of a programmer is related to the development computer programsdigital goods, the development of the freelancing market in this area and such close attention to the profession is not surprising.

But it is worth saying that not everyone can master this type of activity. Many are attracted to tall salaries and the remote nature of work via the Internet, but we must remember that programming is a purely technical matter, and the presence of a technical mindset here is practically necessary condition for career growth, the rest will have a hard time. However, those who will still be able to overcome all difficulties on their way will have access to work with a salary of up to 10,000 US dollars.

Profession number 4: Teacher of foreign languages

This offer is relevant for teachers and educators foreign languages... There are more and more people who want to learn a foreign language, and with the development of technology, it became possible to conduct classes not only in person, but also remotely (for example, via Skype). You can post relevant offers on any tutor search site.

Profession # 5: Internet project manager

An Internet project manager is engaged in the development of a project development strategy, its promotion on the Web, and technical specificationsdetermining the direction of development.

Usually they pay for such work from $ 500 per month.

Profession # 6: Call center operator

Call center specialists answer incoming calls from customers or make them themselves in order to attract customers. Communication can take place via online chat or by phone in audio or video format.

It is assumed that the operator is well familiar with the structure of the company where he works, understands the terms of the sale of goods and / or services provided to it.

Profession number 7: Private consultant

If you are an expert in any business, you can advise people on any issues concerning it. In addition to deep knowledge in a certain area, the ability to communicate with people is required, and then success is practically guaranteed.

Profession number 8: Administrator (moderator) of sites and groups in social networks

The work of a site or group administrator in social network is to fill it with content that will attract new users and bring profit to the project. This profession is very similar to the profession of a content manager.

Profession number 9: Internet marketer

The work consists in promoting goods and services on the market, attracting customers to them. The salaries of both in-house marketers and freelance marketers are quite high. Moreover, in the second case, the work has its own subtleties. A freelance marketer can help promote any client, no matter where he is. The marketer's profit is the percentage of the sales of goods and services that the customers attracted to him have purchased.

Profession number 10: Personal assistant to an entrepreneur

The only difference between an assistant entrepreneur on the Internet and one in office work - the remote nature of the work.

As in real life, the assistant is engaged in planning the work schedule of his boss, working with documents, communicating with clients and freelancers. You need to have good communication skills, be a confident PC user, be able to make non-standard decisions and plan your actions several steps ahead.

Remote work on the Internet: TOP 5 sites and ways to find a job

Perhaps there is only one question left to find out: where to find remote work in the Internet? Below are a few options to find interesting jobs and offers.

Company Sites

On the websites of large companies, there is often a section with vacancies, which offers, among other things, remote work online. For example, banks (in particular in Tinkoff) often require call center operators, and at the same time there is the possibility of remote work. Here is an example from the Tinkoff website.


It is noteworthy that such vacancies are often available for those who have no work experience at all. Training with further employment is often offered.

Social networks

One of the new and seemingly strange ways to find a job. However, this is not such a bad idea. If on the VKontakte social network you go to any group of professional topics (design, programming, texts) and watch the discussions, then there you will always find offers from employers.


Avito

Basically, this service is known as a message board for buying / selling things, but in addition, you can post vacancies and resumes here. For a freelancer, this is a good way to find clients. It is noteworthy that you can post a resume for any region, regardless of your place of residence. The same applies to vacancies, often looking for employees for remote work, regardless of the region.


Online job search sites

On these sites you can also find many offers for remote work or post your resume. These include the most popular resources such as Yandex.Rabot, Headhunter, Superjob.


The remote nature of the work gives more freedom to scammers. It is simply impossible to find out how honest the person sitting on the other side of the screen is, and unpleasant details are often found out after the work is done and received by the customer. However, there are ways to protect yourself from scammers.

  • If you are offered to make a huge amount of money in a matter of minutes, while doing a couple of actions, in no case do not agree. There is no easy money on the Internet, to earn it, you have to try, so such offers may appear only from scammers.
  • Similarly, it is worth treating offers with good conditions, when the employer at the same time requires some kind of advance payment. In 99% of cases, he disappears immediately after receiving the money.
  • Use only time-tested ways to make money online.
  • Working with a customer directly, ask for an advance payment of at least 10-30% of the order value.

Never agree to participate in projects where you promise to double or triple your money invested... These are ordinary pyramid schemes that often close the very next day after your visit.

An interview via Skype is a convenient format for conducting interviews, especially for large international companies. Let me tell you a secret, more and more companies are gradually transferring part of their functions online, saving man-hours and resources, so the practice of scheduling interviews via Skype, especially with candidates who are located in another city or country, is a frequent practice. This type of video interview is also gaining popularity, when a candidate is asked to prepare a video for himself, but we will talk about this next time.

Planning

Like any other job interview, a Skype interview requires good planning and organization. If your potential employer is a large international company, and the recruiter-interviewer is in a different time zone, then it is important not to be mistaken with the appointed time. Ideal option will make an appointment through the task planner, for example, through Outlook, which will also show your digital approach to scheduling. In any case, please specify the time of the meeting Moscow time.

It is advisable to appear on Skype not five minutes before the start of the call, but at least 15-20 minutes in order to make sure that the equipment is working on your side, that the Internet does not fail. If your Skype nickname is kotenok88, it makes sense to create a separate profile with a business nickname for interviews.

Training

When preparing for a Skype interview, drop the Skype prefix. This is the same interview as any other. The interviewer will immediately notice your appearance and how you handle yourself. Choose a decent background - no smoking pots, no open cabinet door. Check the lighting. Here, as in the photo, it will be correct to set the camera so that daylight falls on your face: your look will become more fresh and rested.

In clothes the best option will use a dress code, avoid casual or casual attire. Of course, you should not bring it to the point of absurdity, no one expects a tie or black bottom - white top from you. Shirt, neutral jersey, business dress, jewelry and cosmetics, styling - everything should be present. By the way, this will set you in the right mood, you will keep collected and be able to talk more confidently about your achievements.

Prepare everything in advance necessary materials and files so as not to look for them at the last moment. A video interview is a case when a good "cheat sheet" with a prepared answer, or even a question, will be appropriate. This is one of the advantages of an online meeting.

It is imperative that the technician does not let you down during the video interview. It is a shame when, in the course of a conversation with an interesting candidate, the impression arises that the candidate himself is sitting somewhere deep in the basement and, overcoming constant breaks and crackles, is trying to get in touch with you. Check the quality of the connection and sound in advance, stock up on a good headset with a microphone. Not all laptops or computers have a high-quality built-in audio system. In addition, a good headset will provide better protection from extraneous noise. Try not to conduct interviews using your smartphone with unstable mobile internet... In such cases, I recommend either trying to reschedule the interview, or warn the interviewer that there might be a problem. In most cases, they will most likely understand you and go to the meeting.

Repetition

Pay attention to how you speak - you will be judged by the quality of your speech. No need to worry, rush, interrupt interlocutors. Try to speak clearly, to the point. Do not take your eyes off the ceiling, interior items, look your interlocutor in the eyes. Sometimes in the course of a Skype call, there may be seconds delays, so it makes sense to make small pauses, and also to clarify if the connection has been lost if in doubt. If this video interview is your first experience, it makes sense to rehearse. Ask your spouse or girlfriend to go on Skype with you, adjust the angle in which you look presentable, try communication and a picture in different rooms, watch your gestures and facial expressions. Correct the mistakes.

Concentrate on the essentials

Try not to distract you and your interlocutors. Disable extraneous programs and instant messengers and any other sound sources. For example, if you are at home, make sure you are not disturbed by relatives or pets.

Try not to type on the keyboard. Your interviewer is unlikely to enjoy a pounding in your ears. But if there is such a need, for example, to find the necessary information on the computer, then be sure to use the MUTE button, this will block all extraneous sounds from your side.

Smile

Remember that a living person is sitting on the other side of the monitor, you are miles apart, so it is difficult for him to feel your energy. Give him this opportunity! Smile, openly answer questions, be kind, and the interlocutor cannot help but feel sympathy for you. Good luck with your interview!

: we will talk about the features of communication using the popular Skype program, which, due to its convenience and versatility, is increasingly used for business purposes. Has your potential employer set you up for a Skype interview? In our article you will find some tips that you will follow to feel at your best.

We tried to cover all aspects of a professional Skype interview - from optimization of communication quality to psychological preparation for an interview.

Consider the time difference

The reason why you are going to be interviewed via Skype is most likely due to the physical distance of your potential employer: often he is located in another city or even in another country. Suppose you are going to Skype with a foreign employer (here, the conversational skills acquired on time will be useful to you more than ever!). First of all, inquire about the time difference between your countries and find out the exact local time of contact,otherwise, you risk skipping the interview and ruining your first impression of yourself.

If you have a conversation with the UK, make sure to calculate the time difference correctly: many people think that the time zone is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) in the UK, however, do not forget that in the summer the British switch to summer time (British Summer Time ) - keep this in mind.

The image on the screen is your business card

Before contacting your future interlocutor, find out if you will need a video camera. Often, professional interviews are conducted without it - for example, among IT specialists, it is usually not customary to “make a video call”. But if you really have a video call, try to properly prepare for it.

Primarily, take care of how you will look on the screen of your interlocutor.Needless to say, your clothes and hairstyle should be neat, but it’s not superfluous to think about which background will be the most advantageous: if you are calling from home, it will be ridiculous to call from the kitchen or from the bedroom - it is better to go to the living room or another room with a neutral interior.

Consider your costume carefully:depending on the type of job you are applying for, your clothes may be in business style or less formal, if the "dream job" does not have a dress code (although, most likely, if you take a call at home, a strict office style will be inappropriate - but then decide for yourself).

Of course, you may not be too concerned about your clothes if the camera does not capture the area below the neck level. However, experienced negotiators do not advise placing the camera too close to the face: it is better that the camera captures the shoulders as well. When placing the camera, try to place it not directly in front of you, but slightly obliquely so that the interlocutor does not feel uncomfortable under your gaze (if you still want to "meet your eyes" with your interlocutor, just look through the peephole of the webcam).

Provide silence

Before your prospective Skype interview, you should take care of the audibility issue: this is really very important. An ordinary city apartment is a surprisingly noisy place. Someone is listening to loud music, a TV is on in the next room, children are noisy ... Your interlocutor may be unpleasant for sharp sounds that interfere with the conversation: agree with your family that silence should reign in the house during your conversation.

Disable on your computer all programs that can interrupt your call with unexpected sound notifications (for example, about a new comment on a topic, etc.) - this can distract and irritate the interlocutor.

If you have a desire to choose a status in Skype busyso that you are not distracted by outside calls, do not do this: your potential employer will also not be able to get through to you. If, during the interview, yours do try to call you, you just have to ignore them.

Optimize call quality

A special issue is the Internet connection. When it comes to working in Skype, a mobile phone or iPad is not the best choice for you: a computer or laptop has better performance. Generally speaking, in last years the quality of communication is steadily increasing, but, nevertheless, you can optimize it: for the duration of the interview, refuse to download large amounts of data, ask your family members not to load the home computer network at this time.

Next, before the session, check the audio settings: in the main Skype window, click on the menu title Calls and in the drop-down list click Sound settings. At the bottom of the sound settings window that opens, click the inscription Make a test call inSkype - this is how you check the sound level at the microphone and headphones / speakers. If you can hear your speech during the test call, everything is in order, you are ready to call. If not, use the tips of the program itself to adjust the sound parameters - the Skype interface is simple and, as they say, user-friendly.Checking your audio settings before making a call is very important; minor issues like these during an important interview can knock you out of the saddle.

If communication problems appeared during the call, it is better to hang up and call again(however, if you make a preliminary test call, you will at least know that the problem is not with your settings or your headset). With the consent of your interviewer, instead of video communication, you can use regular audio communication via Skype: a call without video requires slightly less computer and network resources.

Needless to say, your webcam should display a sufficiently high-quality picture, and that headphones, speakers and a microphone should reproduce and transmit sound clearly enough - you should take care of this in advance when choosing these devices.

If the sound on the speakers is poor, sometimes the problem is solved by choosing good headphones - increasing the volume of communication problems you will not solve.

Also before the interview, go over the Skype functionalityto remember all its capabilities - it may well be that during the interview you will have to perform actions in it that you do not often (for example, send or receive files, with several subscribers at once, etc.).

Calm, only calm!

Now let's talk about your voice. Many people feel insecure when talking on the phone or Skype: their voice trembles from excitement, breaks down, which makes an unfavorable impression. If you are "from a timid dozen", tune in to overcome your fear, catch your breath, try to control your voice.Excitement during a professional interview is a natural thing, but often we are worried from scratch just because of the non-standard situation, because not every day we go through an interview via Skype. Calm down, concentrate - and everything will work out!

In our time, when technologies are developing more and more rapidly, the popularity of skype interviews is noticeably growing. If during a Skype interview you run into technical overlaps and look unconvincing, then you won't have a chance to meet with an HR employee face to face.

Nevertheless, despite the obvious importance of this format of interviews (most candidates are screened out at this stage), many, oddly enough, do not prepare for them at all: they think that it is enough to turn on the laptop and adjust the sound. In fact, in order to make a good impression and achieve a personal interview, you need to take the preparation as seriously as possible and plan everything carefully. It should be borne in mind that a video interview is the closest option to a personal interview, the only difference is that the interlocutors are not in the same room.

The only way to avoid annoying mistakes during video interviews is to prepare properly. In this article, you will learn:

  • What is a skype interview?
  • How to fill out your profile correctly?
  • How to prepare and how to behave during your Skype interview?
  • How should you start and how should you end it?
  • What techniques will help you successfully pass this interview format?

Skype is a free and accessible resource for all users and is attracting more and more supporters of this form of interviewing. Successful skype interviews require special skills and tactics that are different from those you learned about a telephone interview.

The definitive guide to preparing for your Skype interview

Correct Skype account registration

Username. If you have never used Skype, then you need to download the application from the Internet, install Skype on your desktop and register. To register, use your first and last name as a login. Do not come up with ridiculous nicknames like svetlanka.22, tanechka, etc. Remember that you can register multiple Skype accounts depending on your goals: business conversation or chatting with friends and family. The best option for a nickname is your initials, for example, raisasorokina

A photo. Your profile on Skype or other social network should have a high-quality photo that emphasizes your business qualities... Stop your choice for a skype account with a photo from your resume.

With a professional photo and a serious username, you showcase your skills to the HR manager business communication and make a good first impression even before meeting you via video.

Keep up with the times: install the latest versions of all programs, use the Internet channel with the maximum throughput... Be sure to check everything before the interview software... Your job is to properly equip your seat in front of the screen to avoid blurry images, lagging audio, or incorrect framing, cropping your ear or chin. Don't let outdated technology take away your chance of getting a job. To do this, it is necessary to provide a suitable environment and background, good lighting and high-quality sound.

  • Lighting. Place two lights behind the camera, one on the right at a 30º angle and the other at the left at a 20º angle. Place another light source behind you. The light should not fall from above - this creates unwanted shadows.
  • Background selection.First of all, you need to choose a background on which you will be “on the air”. The best option for this would be a wall with a plain, dim wallpaper that does not catch the eye or distract the recruiter's attention from you. You can also buy a roll of neutral background paper. The most acceptable colors are light brown, light gray or ivory. A snow-white background is undesirable, because eyes get tired of it. The influence of color gamut should never be underestimated. Both the background color and the color of your clothes should create a sense of calm and harmony. Reinforce the background paper securely so that it does not fall during the interview (this usually happens at the most important moment).
  • Interior... The study is the best place to conduct an interview. Sit down at your desk, create a business environment.
  • Camera should be at your eye level. Your head and shoulders should be in the frame - this is the best angle. Remove all foreign objects from the camera's field of view - they can serve as a psychological barrier between you and your interlocutor. Only a pen, a diary and a summary can be left on the table.
  • Clean lens. Dust or a stain on your webcam lens will negate all your careful preparations. Wipe down the camera just before the interview.
  • Blank screen. Close all extraneous programs, windows and tabs on your computer so that letter notifications do not pop up on the monitor during the interview.
  • Tags. When performing any theatrical performance, markers are placed on the stage floor indicating where the actors should stand. You also need to mark in advance, for example, where your chair should be during the interview. This way you can achieve optimal lighting and perspective.
  • Power supply... If you have a laptop, it is advisable to have it connected to the network. Battery power is not a reliable option; but if there is no other option, make sure the battery is fully charged before starting the interview. Make sure all cables are securely connected and the system is functioning. Prevent your interview from being disrupted by an unexpected equipment failure. Spare equipment should always be at hand.
  • Overlays and crashes... Be prepared for interference. During the Skype interview, there may be communication problems due to which you may not hear or understand the question. If so, ask the speaker to repeat their question.
  • Force Majeure. If at the last moment something happened: you suddenly fell ill, or the Internet connection was interrupted, cancel the interview, explaining the reasons and suggest setting a new date.
  1. Appearance

You should pay enough attention to your appearance. Since the screen size in skype is limited, your head and shoulders will be visible in the video in close-up, that is, the upper part and, therefore, it is on it that you need to focus. All that is required of you to look respectable on skype is to focus on your hair, makeup, blouse and jacket. You will find dress code tips in the article:

2. "Quiet, shooting is in progress!"

It is such a note that should hang on the door of the room from where you are conducting the conversation. Ask everyone not to be disturbed and to be as quiet as possible.

3. Teleprompter

Go to your office supply store and buy some presentation sheets. Write your key messages on these sheets and reinforce them behind the camera; they will serve you as a teleprompter.

4. Don't miss your turn

Be ready for the interview a few minutes before it starts: take a seat in front of the camera and wait for the interlocutor to connect. Look straight ahead, do not make sudden movements, and demonstrate calmness and confidence.

5. Smile! You are on the air!

The very first thing you should do before you start speaking is smile. Smiling removes major barriers and threats that can come from a stranger. A person's brain captures a smile instantly, and you will be able to establish contact with the interviewer from the first second of your meeting.
Your smile should be sincere, natural. If you don't smile during the interview, the interviewer will think you are unhappy, anxious, and not interested in getting the job. The smile on your face suggests that you are an affable and friendly person with whom it will be pleasant to work on the same team.

6. Time zone

Say hello to the other person based on what time zone they are in, not you. For example, if it is now eight o'clock in the evening, and yours is seven in the morning, then tell him: “Good evening!”, And not “Good morning!”.

The impression of you depends a lot on how your voice sounds. In order to convince the interlocutor of something, you need a deep pleasant voice, and he should not let you down. To soften your throat, eat a teaspoon of honey about an hour before your interview.

8. Control your body language

  • Don't forget that you are live. Throughout the interview, the employer's representative sees you on their computer screen. Therefore, avoid unnecessary movements - do not straighten your clothes, do not smooth your hair - these little things can damage your professional image.
  • When you start answering questions, help yourself with your hands. It is best to keep your hands open and use their hands as you talk to explain key details.
  • Nod as you listen to the other person. Every person wants to feel that they are being listened to and appreciated for what they say. The interviewer is no exception. Head nodding is a great way to show the other person that you are an active listener.
  • To feel natural and comfortable and at ease during the interview, rehearse - sit in a chair in front of the webcam, tell something.
  • I recommend that you record yourself on video several times in order to see yourself from the outside and understand what you are doing wrong. Some gestures that are not striking in face-to-face communication may look inappropriate in the video and distract the interlocutor's attention. Such gestures include: frequent hand movements, "playing" with hair, touching the face, etc. By observing your behavior on video, you will be able to further control your behavior during the skype interview.

9. Eye contact

Everyone is well aware of the importance of making eye contact with the interviewer during the interview. It is much more difficult to do this in a skype interview. When you're talking to someone via video, your eyes naturally want to focus on the person you're talking to. Depending on where the person's face is on the computer monitor and where the webcam is located, your gaze may be directed either sideways or downward. You can avoid this by resizing and moving the person “window” upward, as close to your webcam as possible. These actions will allow you to get closer to real eye contact.

N! B! When you start answering questions, you need to look not at the person on the screen, but at the camera on top of your laptop. However, many do the opposite, and this is a gross mistake that job seekers make. In order to avoid such an oversight, it remains only to train yourself to look into the camera lens, and not at the laptop screen, and this will take practice.
I recommend practicing this with friends or family members.

10. Distribute your attention correctly

If you are participating in a video interview with a whole group of representatives of the employing company, each of them should be in the center of your attention for a while. Find out which interviewers can help you the most and spend more time with them than others. Prepare in advance (if possible) a table in which you list all the participants in the online meeting and indicate what each of them does and what influence they have in the firm.

11. Keep track of the time

Do not forget about the time, but in no case look at wrist Watch... Place your watch behind your webcam and keep track of how wisely you use your time.

12. Without mounting

The video interview takes place online, and, alas, it will not work to cut out the bad places. If you were asked an unusual question - do not rush to answer, an experienced interviewer understands that you need time to think about the question in order to give a good answer. Keep in mind that recruiters can use certain techniques to nudge you toward a response. Listen carefully to the interviewer, and if you do not understand the question, then ask for clarifications or clarifications; if you said something wrong, don't panic or worry - just keep talking. If you get out of a difficult situation calmly and witty, your slip of the tongue may even work for you.

13. Final Chord

As with any type of interview, after completing the interview, thank the other person for their time. Make it clear again why you want to work for this particular company and what exactly you are ready to do for it.

Try to get the manager so interested that he can’t wait to meet you in person. Let him be inspired by the prospect of how the company will benefit if you are hired.

14. Rehearsal

A Hollywood thriller or a Broadway musical is the product of a team of professionals. You, too, must have your “expert” to ensure that everything is going well and that you are performing brilliantly. He can, for example, listen to the speech you have prepared, check the lighting, your appearance, the picture and sound quality. Ask someone you trust to help you rehearse the interview and then give an objective assessment of your performance. You need a sensitive but honest critic who will tell you directly what you are doing wrong.

Consider all the guidelines for preparing for a Skype interview and do your best to ensure that your online meeting with an employer is 100% complete. Remember Coco Chanel's words: "You won't get a second chance to make a first impression"

If at home you have a risk that something may not go according to plan, then you can use the rental of the most suitable space for a Skype interview. For example, use a loft, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, a quiet cafe with good internet... Of course, the main emphasis when checking a candidate is on knowledge and experience, but if the level of companies is high, then a business environment and thorough preparation will be an additional advantage.

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