precautions while using skype

Precautions while using Skype

before you start using it there are a few precautions you need to take in order to stay safe online.
1. What is Skype
Skype is for doing things together, whenever youre apart. Skypes text, voice and video make it simple to share experiences with the people that matter to you, wherever they are.With Skype, you can share a story, celebrate a birthday, learn a language, hold a meeting, work with colleagues just about anything you need to do together every day. You can use Skype on whatever works best for you on your phone or computer or a TV with Skype on it. It is free to start using Skype to speak, see and instant message other people on Skype for example. You can even try out group video, with the latest version of Skype.
If you pay a little, you can do more things, in more ways, with more people like call phones, access WiFi or send texts. You can pay as you go or buy a subscription, whatever works for you. And in the workplace, this means you can bring your entire ecosystem of workers, partners and customers together to get things done. Try Skype out today and start adding your friends, family and colleagues. They wont be hard to find; hundreds of millions of people are already using Skype to do all sorts of things together.
2. Skype safety
First and foremost choose and use a stong and unique password for your Skype account.Make sure that your Windows operating system, Skype and security software is up to date, always.Always authenticate the identity of the person at the other end; especially before discussing private or confidential details, such as your home address or sensitive work data.

Always make sure you trust the website or person at the other end before giving out sensitive information like you personal details. Again take care before giving out your credit card information to any websites which may claim to be reselling Skype products.

3. Get dressed
Your daily outfits consist of yoga pants and a sweatshirt, but that doesnt mean that you should wear that during your job interview. Dont get lulled into the idea that simply because you are doing an interview from your home that you dont have to get dressed. Treat your Skype interview as you would an in person interview, and be dressed professionally. Make sure that your hair and makeup is done as well.
4. Spruce up your space
On an average day, your home office is a sea of papers, your kids preschool drawings and assorted coffee cups. Before you sit down to have your interview, though, youll need to clear out your office. After all, you are not only being judged on the strength of your answers to the interviewers questions, but yes, on your digs as well. A potential job candidate sitting in the middle of a mess can signify to a potential boss that your work ethics arent up to parand can definitely be counted against you.
5. Hire a babysitter
Youve warned your kids not to make a peep while you are interviewing with a prospective boss. Youve even plunked them down in front of the TV with their favorite program, juice boxes and Cheerios galore. Yes, youre not proud of it, but a working mama has to do what a working mama has to do. Even if you take every precaution possible, your two year old might still wander into your home office and announce that he has tried to use the pottyunsuccessfully. To prevent interruptionsand to be viewed in the most professional light possiblehave someone watch your kids for you while you do your interview. To ensure that your potential boss doesnt overhear your toddlers terribleand spontaneousear piercing tantrum, ask your sitter to take the kids outside for a while.
6. Practice speaking
Looking right at your interviewer during an in person job interview while giving an answer is a skill that can take time to master. Speaking directly into a camera while you explain why youre the top candidate for the position is something entirely differentand can be difficult to do. You might be tempted to look away as you gather your thoughts, but its best to look directly into the camera as much as possible. And as much as you would like to look at your computer screen while responding, get into the practice of looking into the camera instead. This can take some time to get used to, so practice as often as you canwith your spouse or friends, for examplebefore your interview.
7. Be prepared
Before your interview begins, have any necessary papers or notes in front of youand out of sight of the camera. If you need to reference your resume or your cover letter, for example, they should be right in front of you. You can keep the papers right below your computer screen, so you can quickly glance down and get the info you need without skipping a beat. This will help prevent you from shuffling through your papers to find the info that youre looking forand answer the question perfectly.
8. Position yourself correctly
Dont sit as close to the computer as you normally would. Instead, sit a bit farther back so that your face and upper shoulders are framed in the shot. Additionally, place the computer slightly higher than you normally do, so that its capturing you face on and youre not looking down at it.
9. Use the highest speed Internet connection you can
On slower Internet connections, video may not align well with the audio and can cause awkward time lags, so use the fastest connection you can. If nothing else helps, try plugging your computer directly into your Internet cable, rather than using a wireless connection.
10. Remember to look into the camera
If you look directly at the image of your interviewer on your computer screen, youll appear to be looking slightly away from her. Instead, looking directly into your webcam will read as direct eye contact on your interviewers end.