One of my pet hates when helping clients in their job search is the distinct lack of transparency regarding salaries.  Job advertisements invariably invite you to click the "Apply Now" button and you're expected to upload a targeted CV, cover letter and perhaps answer detailed competency questions - all before you even know whether the job is in your salary range.

Another of my pet hates is when employers ask you to specify your salary expectations.  Why?  Is it so that they can save money if your expectation is lower than theirs?

To compound it further, candidates then expend considerable effort preparing for interviews where they are still kept in the dark on salary level.  Certainly in the UK, it's not considered de rigueur to raise the important issue of salary during the first interview; it's something you discuss at second interview or, worse, you wait until they make an offer.  So you could go to a huge amount of time and effort only to learn, ultimately, that the salary is not even in your ball park.

In my opinion, this lack of transparency contributes to pay inequality - especially since there is a general consensus that women often underestimate their value and ask for less than men. 

So, instead of the government pushing for audits to establish disparities in remuneration, why don't they push for transparency in job advertisements with salary levels being disclosed at all levels?  If they could just do this simple thing, which would take no effort at all, it would save candidates, recruiters and employers from wasting time reviewing applications and conducting interviews when they're all on different pages anyway.

Salary transparency... let's have more of it please.

Barbara Patrick, Professional CV Writer and Career Coach
Compelling CVs, Berkshire, UK
Tel: 0118 988 7628

Always happy to talk.

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Companies are increasingly using Skype to do business and that includes job interviews.  It's an efficient way to conduct first-round interviews, especially if candidates are geographically diverse.

I've yet to see anyone look good on Skype and I find that the quality of the call can detract from the process, so you'll need to do everything you can to get the best out of the experience.

Here are my tips for preparing for Skype interviews:

1. Treat a Skype interview like a real face-to-face interview.  This is not the same as talking with your pals.  It's a formal interview... your opportunity to make an impression and to shine.  Dress the part - top to toe.  Although the interviewer will only see your head and shoulders, dressing the part will put you in the right mindset and will come across in your demeanour.  As with any interview, your hair, teeth, fingernails, etc should all be squeaky clean.
2. Ensure that the space behind you is clutter free and there is no background noise.  Ideally the space behind you should be a blank wall with no distractions.  You should be in a quiet room totally free of noise and distractions.  That includes family, friends, children, pets, radio, TV and street noise.  Close the windows and doors.  Turn off all other programmes on your laptop or computer and make sure you turn off mobile phones too.  You don't want any distractions.  The interviewer should only be able to hear YOU - nothing else.
3. Make sure you've done your homework and researched the vacancy and the company.  Have a short list of questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, but don't ask questions if the subject has already been covered.  At this stage the questions should be about the role and the company - not about pay and benefits.
4. Re-read the job specification, your CV and your prepared questions before the interview commences, so it's all fresh in your mind.  Be prepared to answer questions about how you've handled a specific situation or how you would approach a problem.
5. Be ready about 10 minutes early.  Use the loo, make a drink (room temperature water is best), have paper and pencil ready, and keep the job specification, your CV and questions to hand.
   
6. The webcam and computer screen should be level with your face so you are not looking up or down at an angle.  There needs to be sufficient light so the interviewer can see you clearly.  You'll need to remember to look directly at the webcam itself during the interview - not at the screen.  Stay focussed and make "eye contact" with the camera.
7. Don't fidget during the interview.  No scratching your head, clicking pens, squeezing stress balls, bouncing or swivelling on your chair. Be natural but not too casual.
   
8. Answer the call professionally. When the Skype call comes through, take a deep breath, smile and answer the call professionally.  Stay positive and focussed and "engage" with the interviewer.  Listen carefully to the questions.  Answer comprehensively but keep your responses relevant... don't ramble off subject or give too much information.  Stick to the question.
   
9. End the call courteously.  At the end of the interview thank the interviewer for their time and for the opportunity.  It's ok to ask when you might expect to hear back from them.  Make sure you've definitely disconnected the call before you utter another word.
   

We offer interview skills training at Compelling CVS, so if you'd like a mock interview or a little more advice, please get in touch or click here to find out a little more about our Interview Skills Training Service.

Good luck!

If you didn't read Part 1 of my blog on Video Interviews, you might want to read that article first...

• You must remember to talk directly into the webcam - maintaining eye contact as if you were talking directly to the interviewer.  It's often tempting to look at the screen or refer to notes... don't!
• When you are answering questions, try to inject some enthusiasm into your voice.  This can be difficult when you're talking to a camera, so you may need to practice this in a mirror.
• Maintain a good posture - don't slouch and don't wriggle - but don't be rigid either.  If your chair is a swivel type, lock it into the upright, static position.

It's a good idea to practice video interviewing with a friend - possibly recording the interview over Skype.  Enlist the help of someone you trust to give you positive, constructive feedback, and who will help you to identify problems and to improve your performance.

• Pay attention to body language, enthusiasm and eye contact (with the webcam), and then make adjustments to your performance, until it becomes more refined yet natural.
• During practice interviews, get into the mindset by dressing appropriately and creating the correct room-setting - so that you are in true interview mode, even though you're just rehearsing.

All recruiters will set different interview questions, so we cannot provide details of what you will be asked.  However, since video interviews are not interactive, questions will be static - totally