This post originally appeared on the Develop your Career blog.

The introduction of integrated webcams into desktop, tablet and smartphone devices together with improvement in broadband speed has meant that a new form of job interview is becoming mainstream. Video chat job interviews, which are commonly conducted using the free cross-platform software Skype, are becoming widely accepted as an alternative to phone interviews. In this article we look closer at several best practices to improve your chances of success.

Plan Your Settings – Unlike phone based interviews, which can be taken discreetly in many forms, the settings in term of background visual, noise and even lighting conditions should be taken into account. The recommendation is to choose an environment that you control so to help ensure professional looking surroundings, limited or no background noise and sufficient lighting.

Prepare in Advance – Any documents that might be needed (even a copy of your CV) should be handy well ahead of the interview. Make sure that you are ready for the interview at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. This will give you plenty of time to set up the device, sort out any last minute hurdles, get into the right state of mind and, most importantly, avoid lateness.

Dress Top to Bottom – Webcams feature wide and long zoom meaning that the picture transmitted to the interviewer includes more than your face. It is an all too common mistake to focus only on dressing professionally above the waist while neglecting the bottom part. It is also widely believed that if you want your brain to believe that you are functioning at your best, dressing professionally head to toe helps. With regards to the dress code you can visit the employer’s site or social profiles for clues as to company culture and dress code. Otherwise, recruiters agree that a suit, long-sleeved shirt, tie (for men), little or no jewellery, and a groomed appearance will make a positive first impression on potential employers.

Practice Skype Interview – One of the keys to acing any job interview is demonstrating confidence. If you haven’t any video chat interview experienced, it can be unnerving at first. Therefore you should consider practicing this form of interview before the actual one. A careers consultant might be willing to conduct a mock interview with you. Otherwise, family member or friend can also play the part of the interviewer. Lastly, make sure to switch on the Picture-in-Picture feature in Skype so you can see how you appear.

At The Interview – Look straight-ahead at the camera lens when listening or talking and avoid letting your sight wonder away. Refrain from raising your voice, in fact, try to mimic the tone of voice of the interviewer. The microphone on many devices is incredibly sensitive to background noise, so don’t tap anything, play with your pen or even shuffle papers around. If you are taking the interview at home, make sure no household member interrupts you, whether two or four legged.

Finish in Style – Thank the interviewer for his or her time.

Bio: Written by The Carling Partnership Ltd (CPL). An international search and selection company working exclusively within the brewing and drinks job sectors.

Ahead of the UCL Banking and Finance Fair on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th October, we asked Sharon at PwC, what does an Associate do?

Sharon, PwC

Name: Sharon

Time at PwC: 1 year

Role: Associate: Assurance – Insurance and Investment Management

Can you tell me about the work you do?

I work in External Audit, with a particular focus on Insurance and Investment Management firms. On a day-to-day basis, this means working with clients to ensure their financial statements represent a true and fair picture of their finances, and are prepared in line with any applicable regulations. This in turn gives the users of the financial statements, such as potential investors, added comfort over the company’s financial position.

Can you tell me what working for PwC means to you?

Working for PwC means more than just prestige – it also means exposure to a range of opportunities seldom found in other organisations. It also means a steep learning curve where you may encounter high profile clients very early on, or it may mean developing working relationships with smaller clients. Although there is a steep learning curve – it’s set within an environment of support – including having an assigned buddy from my first week, a very constructive appraisal and feedback system from clients and managers, as well as a very strong culture of developing staff through courses and exposure to new areas. All of these features make working at PwC incredibly rewarding.

Can you tell me what tips you have for students wishing to pursue a similar career path?

Absolutely yes – I’d recommend researching as much, and as early as possible about the firms you wish to apply to. This includes the roles you may wish to apply for, and future career paths thereafter. This will hopefully help you understand what each company offers and how they differ. I’d also recommend:

• Thinking about how your skills are suited to each different role you’re interested in
• Looking to improve relevant skills via schemes available at UCL
• Tailoring the modules of your degree to your desired future career path
• Taking every opportunity to gain an internship or relevant experience – it’s the best way to get real exposure to a specific working environment and culture.
• Applying as early as possible! PwC receives thousands of applicants for each recruitment round, and have deadlines for some business areas – so please make sure you get in quick!

What one tip might you have for students attending the Banking & Finance Fair?

Don’t be shy in asking questions! The employers have been in your shoes and they’ve volunteered their time to share their experience and advice with you. Please research and prepare your questions in advance and ask them with confidence!

The UCL Banking and Finance Fair on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th October 2014 is kindly sponsored by Citi and PwC.