Selecting the right student from thousands of international applicants is a very challenging task. Universities are looking at students who can meet the demands of the course, get along with other students and adjust well in a new, international culture. Admissions in universities abroad are based on academic performance, preparation of application documents and entrance test scores. Since there is intense competition, short-listing and admitting the right student can be a demanding exercise.
The purpose of a telephonic or Skype interview is the same as a face-to-face interview. They are conducted to know more about the candidate and to see if the candidate is the right fit for the college in question. It is an effective way of learning about the student’s communication skills, their thought process and to check whether the student has the same level of language skills as seen in the application documents submitted. From a student’s point of view, it is an opportunity to ask any questions they may have or resolve any doubts. Since there are no surprise interview calls, a student gets enough time to prepare for it.
Here are some tips to help you be prepared for an interview:
• Select a quiet place for the interview.
• Try and give a landline number to the college. If you have to use a cell phone, make sure it is fully charged. The number on which the phone call is expected should be kept free.
• This may sound silly, but dress formally, just as you would for a face to face interview. When you look formal and professional, you communicate formally and professionally.
• Keep all the documents that you sent on hand.
• Practice speaking slowly, clearly and precisely, enunciating your words where needed. Make sure that the interviewers can hear you properly.
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer when s/he is speaking.
• Answer the questions confidently. Exude confidence with your voice. Make sure you are certain about what you are saying.
• Smile when you talk, even though the interviewer can't see you. Remember that people can always “hear a smile” in someone’s voice.
• Do not shuffle papers or turn pages. It is extremely noisy and distracting.
• Prepare and keep your questions ready.
• Ensure you have a formal, interview- appropriate Skype username and picture. It is sensible to create a professional Skype account to use for multiple interviews.
• Do a test- run with a friend to ensure your system and connections are working properly.
• Check the volume on your system so that you can hear and be heard properly.
• Close other programmes on your computer. For the duration of the interview, keep your cell phone away and if you have a landline connection in the room, unplug it.
• Choose a peaceful place, with no distractions.
• Sit against a neutral background, so that the interviewers are not sidetracked. Ensure that there is no activity behind you.
• Sit up straight to exude confidence.
• Talk into the camera; don’t look at the screen or elsewhere.
• If you are using a laptop, make sure it is fully charged or plugged in to a power source.
• Dress formally as the interviewers can see you.
• Keep all your documents with you.
• It is alright to keep notes with you and refer to them once in a while. But make sure you don’t keep turning pages as it can be loud and disturbing.
The most important thing to do is to relax and have a positive attitude. Remember, a thank-you letter is just as important after a telephonic or Skype interview, as it is after a face-to-face interview.
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