Acing the Unconventional Interview

You’ve applied to a job that interests you and have found out you’ve been invited to take part in a Skype interview. How should you prepare? How is it any different than a face-to-face interview? It is important you prepare for unconventional interviews (over Skype or the phone) just as much as you would a face-to-face interview. Here are a few strategies for success!

Phone Interviews

• Prepare. Since the employer won’t be sitting right in front of you it is ok to have a cheat sheet. Have a checklist of potential interview questions with some point form notes and practice your responses over the phone with a family member or friend.
• Location. Be sure to pick a quiet room with no background noise for your interview. Also, clear your workspace and lay out your resume and any additional documents you may want to refer to in an organized manner prior to your interview to avoid wasting time fumbling through papers when you should be answering questions.
• Etiquette. Just as in a face-to-face interview be sure to introduce yourself to each interviewer and thank them at the end. Don’t be shy to ask the interviewer for clarification or to repeat a question if you couldn’t catch what they said. Following the interview, you should send an email thanking them for the interview and reiterate your interest in the position. Having a 5 second delay in your responses to collect your thoughts is ok.

Skype Interviews

• Location. Just as with a phone interview, it is important you choose a quiet room with no background noise for your Skype interview. Don’t let the interviewer call into question your organizational skills with a cluttered background, ensure that your environment is as professional as your attire.
• Practice. Login to Interview Stream through CareerZone and practice your interview. Interview Stream allows you to record yourself answering questions and provides feedback and tips of non-verbal behavior and communication missteps. You can also send your recorded interview to us (career@brocku.ca) at the Career Centre for additional feedback.

With the right preparation you can ace these unconventional interviews. As always if you have any questions, want some feedback or advice please stop by the Career Centre Monday-Friday 9-4:30 or email us at career@brocku.ca.

Happy interviewing,

Mike Pratas

3^rd year Political Science Major

Senior Career Assistant