<p>My S is in the throes of grad school interviews. One of the schools, an in-state school, set up a Skype interview. That strikes me as odd, because he has traveled to the other interviews, worn a suit, networked and met people at the school, toured the schools, etc. I asked him if it made him leary that their interviews are Skype and he told me no. Something about it just isn't sitting well with me. Is it just me? Am I that old fashioned that I think that this particular type of interview should be face-to-face?</p>
<p>They’re probably interviewing a great number of people, and can’t fly all of them out to the school. Shouldn’t be anything to worry about.</p>
<p>Not the first time I’ve heard of grad school interviews being conducted over Skype. (Last year I heard of at least one med school doing Skype interviews for SMP slots/last minute admits.) I wouldn’t be overly concerned about it. Bringing grad applicants in for interviews can be expensive and some departments may choose to reduce their interview budget by Skyping.</p>
<p>I know of at least one very selective federal government employer that conducts some of its interviews over skype.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.</p>
<p>It could be that the school will do one round of interviews by skype and then invite the finalists in for personal interviews.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry at all, OP. These days for our kids and many businesses (including colleges), it’s standard operating procedure. It’s FAR better than a telephone interview, and an easy and economical way for the two parties to get together and look each other in the eye.</p>
<p>Just do a practice do he can position the camera right, etc. My skype sessions aren’t exactly flattering, angle- wise.</p>
<p>At our university we use Skype for all sorts of things. It’s not uncommon for there to be an initial screen of a larger pool of candidates using Skype, with some smaller group then being invited to campus. Skype things you wish you knew or thought of:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>CLEAN the space where you will be having the interview. People on the other side of the screen should not be able to see things like an unmade bed, dirty laundry, coffee cups, etc. (Seems like commonsense, but you’d be surprised . . . )</p></li>
<li><p>Some people also recommend removing personal items from the space like family photos in the background, etc. so it will look more like an office. YMMV.</p></li>
<li><p>Dress professionally, just like you would for a ‘real’ interview</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure you will not be interrupted during the interview. If you have roommates, close the door, warn them in advance, and put a sign on the door that says something like “interviewing. do not disturb!”. </p></li>
<li><p>Put barking dogs out of the house, send small children to a babysitter, etc. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Since Skype is free, you can have someone skype you in advance, conduct a ‘mock interview’ (Moms can do that!) and then get some helpful feedback.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Good tips! On not being interrupted, I would add: Turn off the cell phone and email alerts.</p>
<p>My oldest D is an interviewer for Georgetown’s MBA program (applicants interview with current students as well as the admissions folks)–she says that they do lots of Skype interviews.</p>
<p>My S had a skype interview for undergrad. I frequently do conference calls from home and have found out over the years that no matter how quiet I think my kids, the tv, radio etc are, others on the cc seem to be able to hear all the background noise. I suggest your S make sure there is no extranious noise suce as a room mate watching tv in another room, people talking etc. Also agree with other posters he needs to dress the part and make sure the camera is facing stuff he would want the interviewer to see. Good luck.</p>
<p>My dd did a skype interview for an internship this summer and she thought it was an amazing oppourtunity, since she wouldn’t have been able to apply any other way. Got the internship too…YEAH! Anyway, we all have to change with the times! As hard as it sometimes it…</p>