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Chatting with prospective adviser over Skype?

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:18 am
by InquilineKea
Okay, so I'll talk with a potential adviser over Skype. But I've never really used the thing before. Are there any general tips for doing this?

Thanks!

Re: Chatting with prospective adviser over Skype?

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:34 am
by CurseTheseFactorsOf2
Use headphones to minimize feedback. Try to look at the webcam and not focus on the little inset image of yourself - being a narcissist, this is difficult for me.

Re: Chatting with prospective adviser over Skype?

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:23 am
by midwestphysics
Pick a good background, it says a lot about you, nothing cheesy but definitely neat and appropriate. Watch what you wear, again nothing over the top but a polo would work. Also, minimize any chance of being disturbed, i.e. other people or phones. I know basing anything on image is dumb, but if they didn't want to gauge your mannerisms and how you present yourself the interview would be over the phone and not via skype.

Re: Chatting with prospective adviser over Skype?

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:38 pm
by InquilineKea
Oh wow - thanks for all the advice! I thought this was a silly question at first (am totally unfamiliar with the thing), but now it appears that they do want to see me. Hmm.

Re: Chatting with prospective adviser over Skype?

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:26 am
by bfollinprm
InquilineKea wrote:Oh wow - thanks for all the advice! I thought this was a silly question at first (am totally unfamiliar with the thing), but now it appears that they do want to see me. Hmm.
More like want to see how you think one-on-one, not with several hours to craft an email response. But no sense showing up in nothing but a tie and a nipple ring while sitting on a toilet; no one is going to be offended by a polo shirt.