Many people panic when employers suggest an interview on Skype.Such an interview can be just as stressful, if not more so, than an in person interview, so it pays to prepare.

Be sure you are set up ahead of time
If you don't have a Skype account, register and get a Skype ID ahead of time.As with email addresses, be sure to choose a professional name for your Skype ID [no names like FoxyLady or IncredibleHunk].There are a number of videos on YouTube that will show you how to use Skype, if you don't know.Add the employer's Skype ID to your contact list and send them yours, so you're set to go.

Practice!
Practice is key for any interview, but more so with a medium you're not entirely comfortable using. Be sure to practice with your career coach or a friend so you're not only familiar with the mechanics, but also comfortable with answering questions to the camera.You might record yourself so you can see how you come across and make whatever adjustments are needed. Winging it at the last minute can make you appear inept—and send your anxiety levels skyrocketing, keeping you from performing well.

Have a good camera
If you don't have a camera for the computer, you'll need to get one. Make sure that you get a quality camera for the job so that you have a good resolution on the picture.

Prepare the background and the camera angle
Pay attention to the background the person will see.You don't want them to view your clutter, your half-eaten pizza, or a distracting picture on the wall. Make sure the lighting is good so that you can be seen clearly and there is no glare. Adjust the camera angle so they will see you at a flattering angle. If you have a laptop, don't have it on your lap during the interview or you risk having the camera looking at your chin or up your nose.

Be ready for show time
Be ready when you when you turn on that camera. Don't be like those unfortunate TV news anchors who, unaware that they are on live camera, are seen talking to themselves, adjusting their undergarments, or scratching themselves.

Be fully and appropriately dressed
Millions of Americans work at home, which leads some of us to get very casual while at work. We may look a bit unkempt at times. Be sure that you are looking your best, just as if you were going to meet the employer in person. As with an in-person interview, it is best to overdress. Even if the work environment is casual, wear a suit.

Some people think that since the employer will only see their head and torso, they can wear sweatpants--or worse--below the waist. You may get away with it— but why risk it? You may have to stand up for some reason, and you don't want the employer to see your Jockeys.

Ensure a private environment
As with the phone interview, be sure that you have privacy and that children and pets will not intrude and create a distraction. Years ago, during a phone interview, my roommate's cat pushed open the door to my room and proceeded to vomit on my oriental rug. As you can imagine, that was quite distracting—and it would have been much worse had that glorious moment been captured on camera.

Use Notes
I tell people that during the phone interview, the employer can't see you, so you can have all your notes laid out and refer to them. This is a little trickier during a Skype interview. You still can have notes available, but make sure that they are out of view of the camera. Don't be looking down at them either.  Instead, you might tape them to the wall behind the camera so that you can glance at them while you're thinking or talking. Be sure that the font is big enough for you to read from your seat.

Address technical issues right away
If you're having trouble hearing, don't pretend that nothing is wrong. Bring it up immediately. You might suggest restarting the session to get a better connection.

Smile
Though the remote interview may feel awkward and uncomfortable, it's important to remember to smile, just like you would in person. Smiles create rapport, so don't neglect them. To make this easier, you might want to loosen up by watching a short funny video just before your interview.

Use Body Posture to Project Confidence and Power
A TED talk by Social psychologist Amy Cuddy talks about the importance of body posture.Whatever the culture, people tend to puff themselves up when they feel powerful and contract and look small when they do not. In moments of victory, athletes consistently raise their arms in a V and raise their chin slightly. Ms. Cuddy points out that before a job interview, people are often sitting, hunched over, looking at their notes—in a position of powerlessness. Not only does adjusting our posture change the way others perceive us, but we can actually change our own body chemistry. So, before the interview, do the victory pose to help you project confidence. Multi-taskers might do this while watching a funny video.

Being fully prepared can take much of the stress out of the interview, help you create good rapport, and present yourself at your best.