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The current economy mandates that Sports Information Directors find innovative ways to cut costs. Skype is a great tool that athletic departments of all sizes should consider.

There's good reason TV news broadcasts and shows--from CNN to the Oprah Winfrey Show--are using this technology. It works well, and best of all, it's FREE.

I became acquainted with Skype during the interview process with an NCAA Division III institution. After my initial telephone interview, the potential employer asked that I create an account on Skype to complete the next phase of interviewing. Skype allows users to hear and see each other on their respective computers. In this instance, the institution saved about $1,000 in interview costs by using Skype, as there were no hotel and travel budget items pertaining to the search.

Skype is a software application that allows users to make phone calls over the Internet. Calls to other users of the service (and in some countries, also to free-of-charge numbers) are free, while calls to other landlines and mobile phones can be made for a fee. Additional Skype features include Instant Messaging, file transfer, and video conferencing.

Initial Set Up is Easy
Setting up an account on Skype took me less than six minutes. After clicking the initial download button, Skype will walk you through two questions and set parameters on the account.

Once the files are downloaded (this took less than three minutes) to the desktop, the Skype button will prompt the user to set up an account. After validating the account, the new user is carefully walked through a process to make sure that Skype can be used on their laptop or desktop computer. Three icons appear; one showing the capabilities of Skype, one for checking out sound, and a third giving you the ability to locate other friends that also use the service.

Troubleshoot Beforehand
My first check was to conduct a sound check of the system. Clicking the sound check system, a user is prompted to make sure that he/she can hear the speakers and microphone, and most important, can test the video connections for the Skype account. Once all checks are complete, you are prompted to close the screen and can then move into the phase that allows you to use the download. The entire validation of the connection process will take less than two minutes.

The Skype account will allow you a variety of additional features such as altering profile photos, privacy settings and online status, as well as ways to import contacts, add new contacts, and search for other Skype users. In my case, I contacted the employer to allow the person to add me to their list of contacts.

Online With Skype
When conducting the Webcam interview, I was invited to join the conversation. Initially, I did experience some difficulty in linking up with them and had to hang up. I then made a second video call attempt, which resulted in a successful connection. During a 30-minute interview, neither party experienced a glitch or disconnection.

The Video Call is simply one click and takes 15 to 30 seconds to upload, allowing each of the parties involved to see one another. Simply click the blue video icon and your face and voice are streamed live.

Skype also offers the individuals the capability to contact one another by Instant Messenger in the case of any problems that arise, along with files that are available for attachment.

As for the interview, the clarity of audio and pixilation of the Webcam were both of good quality. The Webcam on the employer's end, however, was constantly being turned about the room to focus on the coaches and staff on the hiring committee. While the picture quality was slightly lost, this adjustment was necessary to view the parties on each end.

Summary
I was impressed that an NCAA Division III institution was on the cutting edge by using this application. Skype is an excellent way for employers to get a face-to-face interview with potential employees in a time efficient and cost effective manner.

This article is also appearing on the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Web site.

Jon Cole is a Greensboro College Sports Information Assistant and a CoSIDA Technology Committee member.