Skype Interviews

[kayyyyy_]

We all know Skype interviews can be suppppppeeerrrrr awkward, but we all will probably have to do at least one because we aren't made of money. I have a Skype interview at my top choice school because the flight was going to cost me around $1,000 and that's if I took a stupid red eye and got ready in the air port, went right there and then came home immediately after. I really want them to see my personality and how much I really want to go to this school.

 Anyone have any advice or pointers?

[maurmaur]

Still dress professionally. I have one tomorrow with Pacific. I know some schools have you call them but I'm guessing they are calling me since I don't know what Skype name they are calling from. Make sure you are sitting in a well-lit area with a plain background. It can be a wall, that's okay. It just shouldn't be distracting. Treat it like any formal interview really. Be courteous, look at the camera not always the screen so it's like you are maintaining eye contact. If you want to take notes, do it with pencil and paper so you aren't typing.

[ElKel87]

I had to do one Skype interview as part of the interview process for the job I currently have (not speech related) because the woman I was interviewing with had a crazy travel schedule and we weren't able to meet in person. I have 3 pieces of advice.

First, make sure you are dressed professionally, the same way you would be if it was an in-person interview. Even if they can only see you on screen from the waist up, it helps you feel and act more professionally and gets you into the right mindset.

Second, I would test out your camera to see what the background behind you looks like before the interview. Ideally it's as neutral as possible, so they aren't distracted (i.e.: I would not do the interview sitting on your bed as that can come across as very casual, like you're not taking it seriously).

Third, make sure you aren't cutting the interviewer off or talking over him or her accidentally. Maybe this is just me and/or it was nerves, but I found that I did that more in a Skype interview than I ever have in person.

Good luck!  

[maurmaur]

9 minutes ago, ElKel87 said:

 

Third, make sure you aren't cutting the interviewer off or talking over him or her accidentally. Maybe this is just me and/or it was nerves, but I found that I did that more in a Skype interview than I ever have in person.

Good luck!  

I forgot about this but yeah with the lag and nerves I feel like it's a little bit harder to know when to speak for some reason so just be aware of that. It's not difficult just something to be aware of

[jmk]

I also tape post-it notes around my screen with points I want to make, and questions I want to ask. That way I'm not glancing down the entire time. I tape them so they won't fall off mid interview. I've only done a job interview through Skype, but it seemed to calm my nerves having some talking points. 

[maurmaur]

49 minutes ago, jmk said:

I also tape post-it notes around my screen with points I want to make, and questions I want to ask. That way I'm not glancing down the entire time. I tape them so they won't fall off mid interview. I've only done a job interview through Skype, but it seemed to calm my nerves having some talking points. 

Yeah, I put a word doc with my questions next to the Skype window for the same reason

[SLPsingballs]

I have a predicament in regards to an upcoming Skype interview of mine.  I get out of class 15 minutes before, and don't have time to head home as I am about 20 minutes away from the campus (30 minutes if you include the time to walk to my car).  Should I set up in the school library?  People tend to be loud at times there, and I am worried this would look unprofessional.  I don't want to go to the communication disorders library at school because that would be rude to the department and anyone else studying there.  I also don't want to reschedule because I've already committed to it.  I'm assuming I'll just have to risk a corner in the library, or a lobby of a different building.  Any and all suggestions are very much so wanted/appreciated.    Thank you!

[BeachySpeechy]

42 minutes ago, SLPsingballs said:

I have a predicament in regards to an upcoming Skype interview of mine.  I get out of class 15 minutes before, and don't have time to head home as I am about 20 minutes away from the campus (30 minutes if you include the time to walk to my car).  Should I set up in the school library?  People tend to be loud at times there, and I am worried this would look unprofessional.  I don't want to go to the communication disorders library at school because that would be rude to the department and anyone else studying there.  I also don't want to reschedule because I've already committed to it.  I'm assuming I'll just have to risk a corner in the library, or a lobby of a different building.  Any and all suggestions are very much so wanted/appreciated.    Thank you!

Talk to your professor and tell him/her you need to leave class 20-30 minutes early because of a grad school interview. 

[SLPsingballs]

30 minutes ago, BeachySpeechy said:

Talk to your professor and tell him/her you need to leave class 20-30 minutes early because of a grad school interview. 

Although I might have to just leave early, I left early for the same class yesterday to fly out to the interview I had today.  I don't feel comfortable asking again as my professor is extremely inflexible.  A friend of mine just suggested trying to rent a room at the library.  I hope I can get one...  Poop.

[BeachySpeechy]

39 minutes ago, SLPsingballs said:

Although I might have to just leave early, I left early for the same class yesterday to fly out to the interview I had today.  I don't feel comfortable asking again as my professor is extremely inflexible.  A friend of mine just suggested trying to rent a room at the library.  I hope I can get one...  Poop.

That's horrible. A good professor would be encouraging you to further your education. It's not like you have to miss the whole class....so annoying. But good idea with the private room thing. Past colleges I've attended would only rent out rooms for groups so maybe have a friend check the room out with you if that's a rule at your school. Good luck!

[jmk]

22 hours ago, SLPsingballs said:

Although I might have to just leave early, I left early for the same class yesterday to fly out to the interview I had today.  I don't feel comfortable asking again as my professor is extremely inflexible.  A friend of mine just suggested trying to rent a room at the library.  I hope I can get one...  Poop.

Definitely rent out a room! Just list that a group is studying in there. Unless the library staff is vigilant, seeing one person in the room will be enough not for others to come in (hopefully, haha)!