Skype and video interviews have risen greatly in popularity in the last decade. Whether you’re a prospective student, a recent graduate or an international student looking for a placement abroad, the chances are, at some point, you’ll be asked to do a Skype interview.
Regardless of whether the person interviewing you is a university admissions officer, an employer or otherwise, it’s vital that you’re ready impress your interviewer just as you would in a face-to-face meeting. To do this you’ll need to be prepared for all the ways in which Skype and video interview can let you down, in order to make sure to avoid them.
You may be a touch-typing digital native with a love for coding, but video interviews are tougher than they look even for someone keyed up on the world of video communication. Read on for our top 7Skype interview tips, plus a few extras.
Skype和视频面试在过去的十几年里已经成为了越来越普遍的事。无论你是一个未来的学生、应届毕业生或者想要申请国外大学的国际留学生，在有些时候，你可能会被要求参加Skype面试。
不管对你进行面试的人是大学招生工作人员、你的一位雇主或是其他人，你自己准备好要给他们留下深刻的印象才是最关键的，就好像你参加的是面对面的面试一样。如果你想要做到这一点，那么你就需要提前准备好应对你在Skype和视频面试中可能遇到的任何问题，以确保你能够避免遇到他们。
也许你是一个喜爱编程熟悉电脑的人，但是视频面试可能会比你想象中的更难，尤其是那种会对视频面试感到紧张不安的人来说。下面出国留学网为独家独家整理并且翻译了7个视频面试的小技巧，希望对小伙伴们有帮助。
Skype interview tips: Common problems
Low broadband speed – this can make your camera freeze unexpectedly and give you low video quality.
Background noise – this will sound much louder to your interviewer and may drown out your answers. Do your interview in a quiet space and close the windows.
Other technical problems with your camera/speakers – if you have any technical issues during the interview itself, remain calm. If the problem can’t be fixed, suggest rearranging the interview or, for audio problems, suggest using a phone to speak while still using the camera. Whatever the problem, don’t get angry, don’t start hitting your computer and definitely don’t start swearing at it – even if you think the interviewer can’t hear you!
Skype视频面试技巧：常见问题
网速太慢——这可能会让你的摄像头意外地卡顿，并且你的视频质量也很差。
背景杂音——这在你的面试官那边听起来杂音会更大，并且可能让你的回答被杂音淹没。所以你要在一个安静的环境里进行你的面试，并且关好窗户。
其他跟你的摄像头/麦克风有关的技术问题——如果你在参加视频面试的过程中遇到任何技术问题，请一定要保持冷静。如果不能解决这些问题，建议重新安排面试，或者如果是音频的问题，建议在使用摄像头的过程中，使用电话进行通话。不管有问题，千万不要生气，不要开始捶打你的电脑，并且也绝对不要咒骂它，即使你认为你的面试官听不到你。
Skype interview tips: preparation
1. Tidy your surroundings
This is something many people forget when they have a video interview, but if your backdrop is one of torn Metallica posters, used underwear and an unmade bed, then the likelihood is you’re not going to get the job. And it won’t be because interviewers hate heavy metal, it’ll be because you look disorganized, lazy and unbothered about making a good impression.
Opt for a neutral background for your video interview, and don’t feel that you need to show off any personal information – you will be judged on your competency, not because of your collection of the complete works of Dostoyevsky.
Additionally, if you live with others, or your neighbors are obnoxiously noisy, then you should tell them in advance that you’re taking an important call. This should ensure your video interview won’t be disrupted by housemates calling your name or by blasts of loud music.
Skype视频面试技巧：准备
1、整理好周围的环境
可能很多人在参加视频面试的时候会忘记要把周围好好整理一下，但是如果在你进行视频面试的时候，被面试官看到你的背景是一张撕破的重金属合唱团海报、穿过没洗的内衣或者是还没有铺的床，那么你可能没法得到这份工作。可能是因为面试官不喜欢重金属，或者是因为你的房间看起来杂乱无章，这些都没有给面试官留下好的印象。
在你参加视频面试的时候，不要选择个性太鲜明的背景，不要给人一种你在向别人炫耀你的相关信息的感觉——面试官会根据你的反应能力来对你进行评估，而不会因为你收集了陀思妥耶夫斯基全套作品而肯定你。
此外，如果你是和别人住在一起，或者你的邻居很吵的话，那么你应该提前告诉他们你要进行一个很重要的视频。这就确保在面试过程中你不会被你的室友，或者周围嘈杂的声音而打断。
2. Dress smartly
Although it’s tempting to just throw on a shirt over your ice cream-covered pajama bottoms, you absolutely shouldn’t. If you have to stand up to get something during the interview, you’ll be instantly exposed as the slob you are. Instead, you should dress as you would for a face-to-face interview – head to toe – and present yourself as is appropriate for the job or position you’re applying for.
Because you’re not there in person, appearance is all the more important in giving a good impression and, therefore, has a bigger role to play in getting you the job. So make the effort; have a shower, brush your teeth, do your hair and dress up rather than down.
2、穿着讲究
你可能随便就拿了一件T恤用来遮盖你身上穿着的还有冰淇淋污渍的睡裤，但是你可千万不要这么做!因为如果你在面试过程中必须站起来去拿什么东西，面试官马上就会看到你那脏兮兮的睡裤。相反，你应该按照你去参加面对面面试的样子来穿着打扮——从头到脚——并且展示出你非常适合你申请的工作或者职位。
因为你本人没有参加面试，你的外表是你给人留下好印象非常重要的事，并且会在你得到这份工作中发挥更大的作用。所以你自己也努努力吧，洗个澡、刷好牙、梳好头发，然后穿戴整齐干净。
3. Familiarize yourself
If you’re new to Skype and video calling you’d be wise to play around with the program before your interview, to better understand how it works and how to fix things should they inexplicably stop working.
It might also help to do a test call; the last thing you want is to rock up at your desk one minute before the interview to find that your speakers don’t work, or that your internet’ bandwidth is too low. So make sure you’ve tested your equipment as well as your video call program well ahead of your interview and once again on the day.
3、自己做好视频的准备工作
如果你对Skype或者视频通话不怎么熟悉，那么你应该在面试前就先熟悉一下，了解一下视频软件该怎么操作，如果你碰到视频软件莫名其妙就不能用了，你该怎么修复。
你最好打一个视频电话测试一下，相信你也不想在参加视频面试的时候遇到麦克风没有声音，或者互联网带宽太低这种事情吧。所以在你参加视频面试之前，就确保你已经测试过你的设备，并且你的视频通话软件运行没有问题。
4. Angling your webcam
The position of your camera can be very important to your video interview. Too close and interviewers will see just your face, too far and they won’t see anything at all. Test out your camera beforehand and position it so that it incorporates most of your top half. This will allow interviewers to see your hand gestures and make it easier for them to gauge your overall body language.
Another key aspect is your lighting; make sure you’re lit by as much natural light as possible (although try not to sit directly in front of the light source as this will shadow your face). Natural light will make you and your surroundings look brighter and more inviting and will assure interviewers that you’re not entirely averse to daylight and the outside world.
4、调整好摄像头的角度
摄像头的角度对视频面试来说非常重要。如果你把摄像头放得太近的话，面试官就只能看到你的脸，而如果太远的话面试官就根本看不见你。提前测试好你的摄像头，并且调整好摄像头的位置，确保面试官能够看到你上半身的大部分。这样才能够让面试官看到你的手势和动作，也方便他们评估你的整体肢体语言。
另一个非常关键的点就是照明，请确保你进行面试的地方有足够的自然光源(不过尽量不要直接坐在光源里，因为这会让你的脸有影子)。自然光线会让你和你周围的环境看起来更明亮并且更引人注目，同时也让面试官觉得你不是在与外面的世界隔离。
Skype interview tips: during the call
5. Look at the camera, not yourself
I’m not calling you vain, but try not to look at yourself in the bottom right-hand corner screen. This is very easy to do, especially in a job interview when you’re conscious of how you look and want to make a good impression. But try not to. The interviewers are likely to pick up on your erratic eye movements and mark you down as a) someone who loves themselves or b) someone who’s as skittish as hell.
Nor should you try and make eye contact with the person on the screen because, although it might feel more natural to look directly at the person you’re talking to, in the eyes of your interviewer it will look as if you’re gazing at something else. Instead, you should focus mostly on the black dot of your camera or webcam while doing your Skype interview, as this is the only way to actually make eye-contact with your interviewer, albeit eye-contact that you can’t tell you’re having.
Skype视频面试技巧：面试中
5、看着摄像头，而不是你自己
这不是在叫你目中无人，但是请不要看着屏幕右下角里的自己。这是很多人一不小心就会做的事，特别是当你参加跟工作有关的视频面试，你想看一下自己是什么样子并且想要留下好的印象的时候，你就会忍不住。但是请试着不要去看自己。因为如果你总是看着屏幕里的自己的话，面试官看到的很可能就是你飘忽不定的眼神，并且面试官可能会对你产生不好的印象，比如这个人很自恋，或者这个人超级胆小。
同时，你也不要试着跟屏幕那头的人进行眼神接触，因为，视频面试不像面对面的面试，当你面对面跟人说话的时候看着对方的眼睛，你可能会觉得很自然，但是如果你在视频面试中去盯着你的面试官的眼睛看的话，就会让你看起来好像正在盯着别的东西看。那么你在视频面试中该看哪里呢?你应该在大多数时候都把你的目光集中在摄像头的黑点上，因为这是让你与面试官进行眼神接触的唯一途径，尽管有目光接触，但是你也不能说你有。
6. Sit up straight
You’re at home, no one’s made you travel for an hour for a 10-minute interview slot, you’ve just had a perfect cup of tea, you’re comfortable, happy and only feeling a little bit nervous. When you’re as relaxed as this it’s easy to forget about your posture and how you’re sat – but this is one of the most important aspects in showing positive body language. Don’t slouch or lean back too far and don’t cross your arms or lean on your desk. Be alert, sit up straight and look ready to answer questions.
6、端正坐姿
你能够在家参加面试，不需要在路上奔波1个小时只是为了参加10分钟的面试。可能当你参加视频面试的时候，你刚好喝完一杯茶，在此时此刻你感到很舒服、放松，只是有一点点紧张。而当人放松的时候就会很容易忘记自己的坐姿，但是偏偏坐姿是向对方展示你积极的肢体语言的最重要方式之一。千万不要弯腰驼背或者太靠着椅背坐，也不要交叉双臂或者靠在你的桌子上。你要注意时刻端正坐姿，让自己看起来就像准备好要回答面试官的问题。
7. Speak with clarity
To ensure none of your brilliant answers are misheard, ensure that you enunciate your words clearly. Also make sure that you speak loudly enough, but not too loudly – you don’t want the interviewers to feel as if they’re being shouted at!
Additionally, instead of relying on non-verbal communication to express how much enthusiasm you have for the opportunity, in a Skype interview you should focus more on your verbal intonation and clarity. If you’re excited about the role, sound excited. If you’re pleased to meet them, tell them so. This is because in a video interview many of your non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and hand gestures, will be lost on your interviewer, often due to low video quality or the fact that many of your gestures will be cut from the shot.
7、说话清晰
请确保你所有的回答不是文不对题，并且清晰地阐明你的观点。而且你还要确保自己说话的声音够大，但是又不能太大声，毕竟你也不想你的面试官感觉他们好像在被你吼吧。
另外，你不能依靠肢体语言来表达出你对获得这个机会有多少激情，在视频面试中，你应该更注重你的语音语调和清晰度。如果你很兴奋，那么就让你自己听起来就觉得很激动。如果你很高兴见到他们，那就告诉他们。因为在视频面试中你的很多非语言暗示，比如面部表情和手势，由于视频通话质量或者网络延时的关系，你的面试官可能注意不到。
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