Skype Interview Monday - How to Prepare (employee, unemployed, owner)

[workerant]

I am unemployed. Laying in bed looking at the ceiling and a recruiter calls. He starts pushing this company on me and starts grilling me on my background and experience. At the end of the call he says H.R. will be contacting me. H.R finally calls a week later and grills me some more about my background and experience and asks for my Skype Address which I provide. A few days go by and I here nothing. The recruiter calls again and explains the office will contact me shortly- they are very busy. Another week passes and I receive another call to to tell me I will have a Skype Interview next week.

Now this is new to me so I start to search the internet on how to prepare. This is what I discovered, what important items am I leaving out?

1. Choose Location, quiet, white background, Test Skype for technical flaws, Choose a flattering photo of yourself for your Skype account, close other computer programs, look into the camera to simulate eye contact, unplug land line phone, put cell on vibrate, wear a solid color shirt -not white, place a desk lamp behind the camera, perform mock video interviews.
2.Have a 1-2 minute dialog prepared discussing my background, skills, relevant job accomplishments and why I am a good fit. Tape notes to the wall in large font to use as cheat sheets, have resume in front to glance down at if need be.
3. Smile and look into camera when answering all questions. Provide answers that relate to the owners business.
4. Prepare a short list of questions to ask the employer and finally, ask for the job and explain why I would be a good fit.

[randomlikeme]

still wear pants

[RDH35]

Can you skype with a friend to do a mock interview to see how you do? Also, yeah, definitely wear pants. ;-)

[drunkwithwords]

Dress as you would in a regular interview. It'll feel "more real."

Choose a room that's quiet and with a plain background.

It'll be kind of awkward, but look at the camera and refrain from looking at yourself.

You'll be fine.

[glass_of_merlot]

Make sure your pet is not in the room during the interview. You don't want your cat to be sniffing the camera.

[Teckeeee]

That last one I did was bad location but the best I could do. Try and get a blank wall. I had to go at a funny angle because it was the only blank space. I guess I could have pulled some pictures off the wall.

The first one I did I didn't realize the laminated map in the background created glare, I thought they would appreciate an employee that educated and cares about world events.

[yellowbelle]

Practice looking at the webcam. When you look at the picture of the other person or at yourself, your eyes look shifty and you look less trustworthy.

And yes to pants and no pets.

[Teckeeee]

The funny part was on the first one I maintained eye to camera the SM couldn't he keep looking at the screen and his notes. I think it was his first too.

[loose cannon]

Do not participate in this nonsense. Interview on site and that's it. Tell all these people to stick it!.

[Teckeeee]

Not possible. The company skype interviewing me, is based in the SE US, for a CO job. How does one make that happen? They are flying out this week to interview me and other Denver candidates.