Do you panic about job interviews? Maybe a interview via Skype is for you...

The job interview is an ordeal that most people have to go through at some point in their career. But as video starts to take the place of the face-to-face interview, does it make it easier or harder to land your dream job.

Perhaps the most important thing is to make a good impression at an interview, but now it might be less about what you know and more about how you come across on camera.

In the US more than six out if ten HR managers now use video to interview job applicants, according to a survey and a growing number of UK firms are adopting a similar approach. As well as live interviewing on services like Skype, some firms are giving video "questionnaires" for candidates to record.

Hiring has become global for candidates and employers, video interviews can be much more cost-effective. For large firms with international graduate schemes, the savings can be significant. 

There are those searching for that dream job have said that they prefer the option of a Skype interview. Skype has been used for many years to keep in contact with family and friends, and this familiarity puts many interviewees at ease. Although, not everyone agrees, many people believe you can't beat face-to-face contact. Although the video interview can help to get a better sense of what the person is like than from just their CV, the interviewer can't see everything they might if the interview took place in the flesh.That is why so much business travel still takes place, video calls won't replace meetings and all interviews just yet. 

Even if you are doing your interview over Skype, first impressions still count, so here are some top tips for that interview:

• Set the stage: Make the room you are in a reflection of your work, a plain backdrop can be less distracting.
• Test the lighting: Even if your camera isn't the highest quality, make sure it flatters your features and the interviewer can see you clearly.
• Dress the part: Be as conservative as the organisation, don't forget to wear smart bottoms in case you have to get up during the interview.
• Make eye contact: Minimise the video image of you so you're not tempted to watch yourself
• The employer expects eye contact and anything else will distract him or her.
• Do a test run: Call a friend or family member to make sure speakers and microphone are working and they can hear you clearly. 

Are you searching for your dream job? At Words Worth Reading Ltd we can help you improve your CV and your interview skills with our job seeker packages. 

Image: buddawiggi, Flickr