I am applying to a Master of Science Counseling Psychology program and the interview is being conducted via Skype. How to Get Recommendation Letters for Grad School, Common Topics for Graduate School Admissions Essays, Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, Fordham University, M.A., Developmental Psychology, Fordham University. You could also email the employer (write to whoever scheduled this interview for you) and ask how long it’s scheduled for. Sit at a desk. If you are looking for a fun way to prepare for your next Skype Interview, Viking Direct recently published an infographic called “How to Ace A Skype Interview,” with tips on how to prepare for using the video-conferencing tool for the interview. While this is great in theory, preparing for a Skype interview requires you to go a step beyond the usual interview prep. So make sure to test everything out before your Skype or video interview to make sure you’re comfortable with the technology and the settings are correct. Interviews, however, are expensive and time-consuming, especially if you are applying to graduate programs that are far from home. They may use a Skype interview in place of a phone interview, or after the phone interview before bringing you on-site. While those are the basic steps of how to prepare for a Skype interview, there are also some general tips/steps that will help you in any interview. Sweatpants with a shirt and tie won’t cut it. Mute notifications in Skype. Don’t assume that your interviewers will see only the top half of your body. Make sure you’re doing this research when preparing for a Skype interview. This will give you plenty of time to set up the device, sort out any last minute hurdles, get into the right state of mind and, most importantly, avoid lateness. Eliminate any potential sources of background noise, such as barking dogs, crying children, or insensitive roommates. A Skype interview can seem easier and more relaxed at first, but don’t forget it is just like any other interview! Previous research by Albert Mehrabian shows that body language counts for a lot during communication. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Preparing for the technological aspects of video interviews can sometimes overshadow the basic interview preparation that will help you learn about the program and put your best foot forward. Chat for a half hour or so to make sure the internet is working quickly enough. Last updated on June 13th, 2018 by our Product Team. Preferably, plug it in. As you prep, don’t forget to focus on the content of the interview. Don't: Put your laptop on your lap or sit on a couch. Well before your scheduled graduate school video interview, you will want to get the minutiae out of the way. Skype interviews share the same purpose as old fashioned in-person interviews: An opportunity for the graduate admissions committee to get to know you. So if you want more help, these three articles will help you even more: Top 13 interview mistakes: Why people fail interviews, Job interview tips from a Recruiter: How to pass an interview. Hello! Practice your composure, body posture, tone, delivery, and other things that can help your cause. Don’t give professors an opportunity to judge you on anything other than your words and persona. The last thing you want during your Skype interview or video interview is to have a family member or pet come running across the screen. Look into the camera, not at the image on the screen – and certainly not at yourself. Properly preparing for a grad school interview is an important part of the graduate school application process. My recommendation? Location, location, location Choose your location wisely, says Salemi. You need to be the star of the interview; don’t allow yourself or your interviewer to become distracted. Share your phone number and have the number for the graduate department or someone on the admissions committee on hand. Make sure that you are ready for the interview at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Salemi shared more of her tips for preparing for a Skype interview with us - and now you. Without proper preparation, you may not get accepted into one of your top choice schools. Posters, signs, photos and art can detract from your professional demeanor. Tara Kuther, Ph.D., is a professor at Western Connecticut State University. Be sure to silence notifications on your devices your conversation does not get interrupted by beeps and pings, too. You might have to stand up to retrieve something and then suffer in embarrassment (and make a poor impression). I’m not calling you vain, but try not to look at yourself in the bottom … If you are conducting this from home where family members will be present, consider hanging a “do not disturb” sign or at least warning all to stay clear of you during the Skype call! ", How to Email Professors at Prospective Grad Schools, What to Expect During a Grad School Interview, Admissions Interview? Graduate school admissions interviews are common in many fields. Also, try to place it at eye level for the best experience. How Do You Deal with a Grad School Rejection? Prepare in advance to make sure your equipment is working properly on the interview day. Keep pets in another room. If you prepare for a Skype interview in advance, it can also be less stressful than interviewing in person. That way, you can refer to the job description when answering interview questions. There are a few steps you need to take before your Skype interview in order to be prepared: Download the software at least a few days in advance of the interview. While all the suggestions I made in the first interview post still apply, I wanted to give some more relevant suggestions. Make eye contact to show you are paying attention — and nod as appropriate. I did several Skype interviews for grad school. RELATED: 5 … They should be able to tell you. By the time of the interview, choose at least two professors from the school whose work stands out as interesting and focus on them. Specifically, he finds that 55% of communication is done through body language, 35% is done through tone, and 7% is done through words. First Skype grad school interview. Sound? Do: Sit at a desk and, as your mother would say, sit up straight. Do not look down into the camera. Be Prepared to Interview with Graduate Students, What to Ask During a Graduate Admissions Interview, How to Ace the Graduate School Admissions Interview, Graduate School Admissions Interview: Dos and Don'ts, How to Prepare for Private School Interviews, Types of Medical School Interviews and What to Expect, 9 Common Medical School Interview Questions and How to Answer Them, 12 Tips on How to Survive Your Admissions Interview, Applying to Graduate School: What You Need to Know. Ask how much time to allot and add 15 minutes to your schedule – just in case. For many graduate programs submitting your application is just the first step in seeking admission. Cheryl Reed and Dawn M. Formo. most common video interview questions and answers. If you’re accepted you’ll spend the next 2 to 6 or more years in graduate school. An interview for admission to graduate study, regardless of whether it's on campus or by Skype, means that the admissions committee is interested in you and is your opportunity to demonstrate your fit to the faculty and graduate program. This can give you clues about the type of questions you can expect. Preparing for a skype or video interview? 1:06. For example, a Software Development Manager is going to be able to grill you a lot more on the technical details than an HR Director. However, you will need some extra preparation for this one. How to Prepare for Skype College Admission Interview (Right Click to Download the Podcast) Here’ an overview of the tips I have discussed in this episode This may seem like a lot but it should only take 10-15 minutes on the company website and can make a huge difference in the quality of answers you give and your confidence level in the interview. At its core, a Skype interview isn’t that … Are your clothes appropriate and professional? Establish at the beginning who will call whom in the case of a dropped call. Archived. Position your laptop atop a stack of books, if needed, but be sure that it is secure. Whatever you hear, your interviewers hear. If you follow the advice above before your next Skype or video interview, you’ll be more prepared and have a much greater chance of success. For example, if they ask, “why are you applying for this position?” you’ll be ready to name a few things that caught your interest on the job description. Pay attention to your background. Graduate schools interview more candidates than they admit. Are there any distractions? Be aware of your body language when you’re doing your Skype or video interview. Comments Technology, it seems, has gradually caught up with our intellectual fantasies. Do a practice run with a friend. The best way to prepare for your graduate school interview is to practice, practice, practice…with a grad school admissions expert who understands the system and who will give you feedback and guidance throughout the process. Address any scheduling, software, or technical and hardware issues. Skype and video interviews are usually shorter than in-person interviews — however, depending on the interviewer, can take as little as 15 minutes and as long as an hour. This will illuminate your face. Going over these kinds of details early could help make sure you have no problems connecting and completing your interview successfully. But by asking how long the Skype interview is scheduled for, you’ll at least know the target amount of time. Job interviews over Skype are becoming increasingly common. It’s OK to Quit; Moving On Coaching Help ; Our Moving On Team; Testimonials from Post-ac Clients; The Blog; The Podcast; Merch! Log out of messaging programs, Facebook, and other apps with sound notifications. Skype interviews permit graduate programs to interview students cheaply and efficiently – and perhaps even squeeze even more applicant interviews in than they would in real life. January 18, 2012 . Consider using an additional shade or placing a cloth over the lamp to dilute the light. Practice Delivering Your Answers. Prepare in Advance – Any documents that might be needed (even a copy of your CV) should be handy well ahead of the interview. Appear to be looking away how to prepare for a grad school interview on skype time-consuming, especially if you prepare for Skype interviews, and website in browser! The interviewer finishes speaking software, or after the phone interview before bringing on-site... The scheduled time research when preparing for a lot during communication all the I..., crying children, or insensitive roommates name, Email, and what if you prepare for a professional interview. 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