Administrative Assistant's Update

3 Administrative Assistant's UPDATE 5 ways to prepare for your Skype interview By Rachel Mitchell, Torontojobs�ca So you have been asked by a hiring manager to conduct a Skype interview for your first meeting. Some of you might be asking what is this thing she called "Skype"; some of you might be worried that your "not-so technical skills" you noted you were an expert in on your resume might shine through and some of you may believe you are tech-savvy and you've got this in the bag. At TorontoJobs.ca, we have conducted 100's of Skype interviews and are surprised at the amount of people that don't cover the obvious things that should be considered before they sit in front of their computer screens to impress a potential employer. Before you sit down to face a hiring manager through this new, time-saving interview technique, remember the following tips: 1� Look the part While you may be in the comfort of your own home, interviewers still want to see that you put some effort into dressing professionally. Take some time to polish up, put on a tie and get into professional mode. Ensure that you look at the camera and make eye contact with the interviewer just as you would in a face-to-face setting. 2� Check your surroundings We have conducted countless Skype interviews where candidates haven't been aware of their surroundings. Closets open in the background and inappropriate posters hanging on the wall have topped our list of favourites. Try to create a business setting (blank walls and space in the background, clear of desk and shelving clutter). An interviewer can easily become distracted from the focus of your interview and, not to mention, form an opinion of your organizational skills. 3� Do a trial run for technical issues There is nothing worse than running into technical problems the minute you are scheduled for your interview. If you are new to Skype, take time to properly set up your account, research the functions and uses and practice using the tool with a friend. Ensure your wi-fi is working (if using), the lighting is proper and the Skype audio and video have both been tested. 4� Eliminate distractions Have a dog? Kids at home? Arrange in advance for care of any distractions that may arise so you can put 100 per cent of your focus into your interview. Turn off all ringers on your phones and other devices and close any programs that might be open on your computer that could make noise or cause a distraction to you. 5� Practice the interview The day before, it's a great idea to practice the interview with a friend via Skype. They can give you feedback as to your body language, sight lines, background, etc. They can also survey your surroundings, the lighting as well as other things you may not notice on the other side of the camera. Skype can be a great tool to save time from commuting to your interview. Remember to treat a Skype interview the same way you would treat an in-person interview. Technology is not always reliable when we need it to be, but using the tips above can ensure you eliminate 99 per cent of your potential issues. As always, send your Skype interviewer a thank-you email/note following your interview to thank them for their time. Reprinted with permission. TorontoJobs.ca is an online recruitment website operating in the Greater Toronto area. Credit: browndogstudios (Shutterstock)

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