With 300,000 million users on Skype, employers are widening their horizons to find the perfect candidate from further afield. Although employers are unlikely to hire a candidate through a Skype interview alone, it is a great way for them to have an initial meeting with their potential new employee.

If you are interested in finding out how you can use Skype as a possible means to interview but are unsure how, then please follow our step by step guide below.

First you need to make sure you are connected to the internet and have access to a microphone and a webcam.

Now that you have all the necessary equipment, you will need to download the Skype software to your computer. You can do this by simply going onto Skype’s website which is and clicking on the ‘download Skype’ button.

Once this has been downloaded you will need to create an account and set up your login details. To create an account you need to select the ‘create an account’ option that will appear on your Skype homepage. You will need to put in a valid email address, account name and password. Make sure that the account name is appropriate to your organisation as this will be the name that all clients and candidates will use to add you to their Skype address book.

Now that you are all set up with an account it’s time to start making Skype calls. If the candidate isn’t already in your address book you will need to add them to it. To do this you will need to go to the top of the page and click ‘contacts’ and then ‘new contact’. You can then search Skype for their username or you can put in their number/e-mail address and their Skype name will automatically come up.

Well done, you have now added the contact to your address book and will have easy access to their account. This enables you to call them and send them messages.

To Skype call you need to select ‘contacts’ on the left hand side of the bar and type in the Skype address of the person you wish to call. Click the ‘call’ button to make a voice call or the ‘video call’ button to make a video call and this will start to ring. The person that you are calling will need to be at their computer waiting for you to call to be able to click the ‘accept’ button.

Once you have finished the call you will need to click the ‘end call’ button and then you will have successfully completed your Skype call.

Good luck!