Hints from the suits re Skype interview?
 

I am unretiring. Long story, but the brief summary is that I need a new challenge in my life. I have a Skype interview tomorrow morning for my dream job with Uber. I will make sure camera angle is flattering and the background is pleasant. I'm planning on wearing business casual dress.

I've never done this before. Any direction from those of you with experience?

Much appreciated :)

No experience with a Skype interview but do you know someone who has Skype?
Setup a mock interview and just practice.

Also... Checks Lighting levels, sound and mic levels etc. (I don't mean to tell you how to suck eggs)

Good luck!

I've done them, however on the side doing the interview, I don't particularly care for them.

Like mentioned, test it out first...

Good luck!!

I did it once. Dressed with a shirt and tie like an in-person interview.

The video/audio quality was OK. Biggest issue I had was not remembering to talk to the screen (i.e., the interviewers). I did get the job, however.

Good luck.

Make sure the landscapers don't show up and that the rooster is in the hen house and not outside the window.

The obvious is to have a neutral room, best is an empty wall behind you, that is quiet, nobody flushing the john in the background etc. You have that covered. Business casual is good too, definitely a shirt or polo, not a tie, not a t-shirt.

I would make sure you can see your image and be sure to smile / look friendly. This may be the big advantage of a skype interview vs. in person! You can see yourself and make sure you don't look grumpy, i.e. when asked a hard question that makes you think.

Dry runs with 1-2 friends is good input by others. You have to have the tech / software down 100%. Nothing is worse than a candidate fumbling with the computer / software.

Anything you can do to ensure your network is 100%, do it. Have a backup if possible, such as a phone's personal hot spot. Also test your backup with a friend.

Good Luck!

G

Let the dog out. ;)

I'd second that.

Maybe plug in directly to your router/modem for the interview (no Wi-Fi).

One more: Bottle of water handy, in case you need to clear your throat. Don't drink / have it in the picture unless needed.

G

I've used Skype to talk to my sister in Australia, though she doesn't have a camera so it's only audio on my end.
We're using Facetime a lot to talk to our daughter in Japan now. In fact my wife is on the iPad now talking to her.
I'd recommend you try it to get the camera set up etc so you aren't fiddling with it right before the interview.

Go with the rainbow wig, you don't want to seem too uptight.

Awesome! Thanks, that's perfect.

Which wig to wear... now I'm all spun out.

What camera will you be using?
Have you used it before?
Some with really wide angle lenses will make you look funny if not set up right.

But you are going with the white sunglasses... correct?

Be sure to split screen with PPOT, so we can give you the answers via Google, like Cicero.

Using the iSight camera in my Cinema Display. This is my setup, although I'll be wearing a light blue shirt with the jacket. Will be lighter, too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1483663454.jpg

Just no barking dogs. I did one that a dog barked through for a 1/2 hour. Very annoying.

Make sure your wife does not walk into your office and hand you a goblet of wine on camera.

You're going to drive a cab?
Ditch the wig and go for a turban.:D
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1483664233.jpg

We're here for ya, you can trust us! :eek::eek:

PS you need a shave.

Don't let your wife run around behind you naked - or in lingerie....

...unless the interviewer is Mr. Blue Car guy

I suggest the lighted lamp needs to get moved out of the frame but still provide some depth of field. And you need to be 1-2 feet back from your current position so that they can see you normally. Also get your head away from the blinded window...another distraction.

Good luck Richard!

It's good that you took the piercings out! :D

I've conducted close to a dozen interviews through Skype last year. Good lighting, solid network connection, clear audio. Make sure your room doesn't have a lot of echoing or make you sound liie you're in a tunnel. A mic or headset is a-ok. Dress the part and do the rest of the professional things and you'll be fine.

Oh yeah, DO wear pants. It may be a web interw, but it's still an interview.

This may sound silly, but consider standing.

Reason being this affects your body language to be a bit more formal. I stand when I present via Webex and other online meetings.

Hahaha. I will send the wife out shopping.

My room does echo a bit, but not sure there's anything I can do about that. No carpets or other sound deadening in the room. I might move my desk closer to the sofa and wall to minimize the other elements and simplify things. Great tips, thanks.

3% of Uber's workforce doesn't have a 4 year degree or higher. I don't have one, so I am going to really have to do the major song and dance routine :)

shave...

Other than making sure to flash gang signs and wear a Christmas tie, I have no other words of wisdom. Best of luck!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1483669580.JPG

^^^ Maybe I shouldn't ask but who's the Broad on the left? ;)

OMG its Ralph and Chris.

The one getting ready to slap my butt?

yes... In the Red dress.

That is the one and only Mrs. Motion

Congrats. Nice looking lady.

Thanks. That was a loooong time ago, eh Kevin? She looks a lot better. I look much, much worse.

If the interview is with "uber" maybe you should do the interview while driving with the camera from the back seat and look at the camera in the rear view mirror?

Dec 2006, my friend. Ten years ago. Hard to believe. Lots of life has happened between then and now. Give 'em hell tomorrow. We should hoist a pint at some point when your schedule permits.

So on the interview thingy. I am a sales guy. Have been for decades. You might think a som one like me could kill an interview? Right? Wrong. I had no experience selling myself. Get some practice answering interview questions. It will give you confidence and you will have an answer before they are done asking. In short. You will kill it. Pm me your email if you want to see my questions.

Most important? Have fun!