{"id":21517,"date":"2013-11-07T15:34:55","date_gmt":"2013-11-07T22:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=21517"},"modified":"2013-11-07T15:36:07","modified_gmt":"2013-11-07T22:36:07","slug":"mba-interview-tip-3-phone-and-skype-mba-interviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/mba-interview-tip-3-phone-and-skype-mba-interviews\/","title":{"rendered":"MBA Interview Tip 3: Phone and Skype MBA Interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Notes\"<\/a>[NOTE: This post is part of a series; if interested please view the introduction<\/a>. Links to the first two advice tips are below.]<\/em><\/p>\n

Phone and Skype are often used for MBA interviews when an in-person interview isn\u2019t feasible.<\/p>\n

A phone interview<\/strong> is simply a conversation by phone; it\u2019s in real time and there is no visual component.<\/p>\n

A Skype interview<\/strong> is a conversation via Skype with video on. A Skype interview with video off is like the phone interview (as you surely know, sometimes Skype works better with the video off if the connection is unstable).<\/p>\n

Phone and Skype interviews can replace either:<\/p>\n

\u2022 the in-person interview with an adcom member<\/a>, or<\/p>\n

\u2022 the in-person interview with a student or alumnus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In both cases, follow the guidelines and tips for these two interview formats in the previous linked posts.<\/p>\n

Why adcoms use these methods:<\/strong> Phone and Skype allow adcoms, alumni, and students to interview applicants in situations where it might not otherwise be possible, e.g., remotely located applicant, sudden change in one party\u2019s schedule, interruptions such as weather-related flight changes, etc.<\/p>\n

Benefits and pitfalls for applicants:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Benefit: can showcase your adaptability and comfort with any communication medium.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Benefit: if you establish a warm, \u201chuman\u201d connection with the interviewer over the technology, it can really stand out and leave a strong positive impression.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pitfall: you\u2019re at the mercy of the technology functioning well.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pitfall: it can seem awkward compared to an in-person interview.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pitfall: for Skype, you have to pay attention not just to yourself but to your setting and your position vis-\u00e0-vis the camera.<\/p>\n

How to make this type of interview work for you<\/strong> (this is in addition to all the common sense advice for good MBA interviews<\/a> and in addition to the advice in the two previous links above):<\/p>\n

\u2022 For phone interviews, dress professionally even though you will not be seen \u2013 it will help you maintain, and reflect, a professional mindset and focus.<\/p>\n

\u2022 It\u2019s tempting to use notes for a phone interview, because you\u2019re \u201cinvisible,\u201d but I suggest using either none or at most \u201ctopic reminders\u201d; your tone and cadence will almost certainly reveal that you are reading from notes, even if you\u2019re sure<\/em> you sound natural and are sure<\/em> the interviewer can\u2019t tell!<\/p>\n

\u2022 Similar to above, for Skype, those notes you think are out of view \u2013 even if they are, it\u2019s noticeable that you\u2019re glancing at them. Unless you\u2019re a well-seasoned professional actor, skip the notes with Skype.<\/p>\n

\u2022 For Skype, beforehand prepare the background (i.e. lighting, visuals) and your camera position (you don\u2019t want the camera aiming up at your neck).<\/p>\n

\u2022 Practice a bit on the medium, even though you normally engage well in person. It\u2019s a different sense and feel than in person.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Clarify who\u2019s going to call whom, at what time, in which time zone.<\/p>\n


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