Skype Interviews
October 29th, 2009 by neb5It seems that there is a new trend in recruitment coming on the horizon all of the time. It’s no longer just about an attractive resume and an impressive face to face interaction. Now, there are more hoops to jump through than ever before. Today, technology is an advantage in so many facets of social media networking and interaction. However, as we’ve talked before, it can also be a challenge. A candidate’s “friend” on facebook may post something unwarranted and unwanted without permission, and that may be the piece of information that the recruiter picks up on. Employers can Google a person and obtain an array of information including their accomplishments, family, personal status and participation in events.
Now, it goes beyond the search of the candidate online. Interviews are being conducted through web-based systems. Employers now use Skype, a web-based face to face interaction, as a means to interview. According to Time Magazine Business online Skype is a way for businesses to manage recruitment costs more effectively to avoid travel. Is this a great way to interview? Sure, if the recruiter is willing to potentially see the candidate’s true self through their screen name and personal space. Is it possible the candidate will be dressed and ready for the interview but forget to clean his or her room?
Below I’ve listed some potential benefits and disadvantages of using Skype.
Benefits of Skype for recruiters:
1. The ease and convenience of connecting with candidates
2. The convenience of interviewing in a personal environment
3. Once the proper equipment is purchased, it is extremely cost effective
4. An opportunity to conduct interviews with international candidates
5. May be more relaxing for the candidate and the interviewer to be in familiar and comfortable surroundings
Disadvantages of Skype:
1. First impressions may be tainted, a firm handshake cannot be demonstrated
2. The location can be tricky. While it sounds ideal to interview out of your home, not being against a blank wall may be distracting
3. Other distractions could be a messy room, barking dogs, meowing cats, a home phone ringing or a clock ticking or dinging
4. It’s possible to miss some non-verbal cues that can be extremely important. The fidgeting feet or thumb twiddling. Does the candidate have pajama pants with a dress shirt and suit jacket on?
5. Potential for technical difficulties, computer or software locking or forcing you to shut down
The times are changing and so must we. It is important for us to all jump on board because it seems to be the direction that recruitment is going with or without us. I say let’s go along with it.
