Have an online interview? Ace it

Nine ways to improve your digital persona.

A friend recently had a job interview via Skype for an out-of-town gig. She got a salon blowout, put on a suit, did her makeup ... all of which I thought was a little excessive for an interview on a computer. Turns out, I was wrong. She had the right idea.

As more companies turn to digital resources to help reduce hiring costs and weed out applicants, it makes sense to give these interactions just as much consideration as an in-person interview. With a new crop of digi-savvy millennials graduating this spring, it’s a good bet more companies will rely on these strategies.

Here are some tips for making sure your digital persona is as presentable as you are in the flesh:

Clean up your appearance (and your room): The interviewer can see the room behind you, so make sure the area in view of your computer’s camera is clean and clutter free.

Let there be light: Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff says to make sure you have lots of natural or indirect light around you since direct light causes shadows. It is best to have the light facing you than behind you. If possible, sit facing a window rather than with your back to it.

Make eye contact (the right way): Dubroff also advises putting your camera, not your screen, at eye level. And make sure you look into the camera, not at the image of your interviewer (or your own picture in the corner).

Don’t move: If you are the fidgeting type, control it on camera. Avoid excessive physical movements or you will appear blurry to your interviewer, and none of your facial expressions will be visible.

Practice, practice, practice: This classic piece of advice is never more true than when technology is involved, so do a test call with a friend or family member the day before your interview to make sure you’re getting the above tips right.

If a company is interviewing you via Skype, they are probably also checking up on your online profile. Make sure your online image is clean by avoiding the following mistakes noted by David Chen, CEO of Strikingly.com:

Poor online first impression: You never get a second chance to make a first impression, even online. Now that most employers Google job candidates, if the first few search results for your name aren’t flattering, you’ve got to create new content to replace those results. Chen’s LinkedIn Website Builder lets you use your LinkedIn profile to create a personal career advancement website.

Unbalanced online content: Even if you’re not posting embarrassing photos online, you can still harm your career if you’re perceived as “partying” more than working.

Ill-timed online activity: Most online content is time-stamped, so your current or future employer can easily determine if you’re regularly posting online content during work hours.

Reusing personal photos for work: Using Google Images, a potential employer can easily upload your LinkedIn headshot and see all other personal accounts and websites where you’ve also used that photo.

HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM 2013 As more companies utilize the Internet in their hiring practices, experts say it pays not only to make yourself as presentable for a Skype interview as you would for one in person, but also to make sure your online footprints are clean, too.