It used to be difficult to land a job with a faraway employer. These days, if you have the motivation and a good Internet connection, and you can reach out to potential bosses all over the world.
It usually happens like this: You send an attention-grabbing e-mail message. You tell the hiring manager who referred you why you’re writing and what you have to offer. If your timing is right and your note makes a great impression, the employer responds and opens up a conversation.
Typically, a phone call comes next. A few more e-mail messages. If your correspondence goes well, then it’s time to take the relationship to the next level: a face-to-face interview. How else will you figure out if you really want to work for this company? What better way to give the boss a chance to make an informed decision about your candidacy?
But instead of scheduling a traditional job interview, the kind where you sit together in a room and engage in a real conversation, some employers want to meet via Skype. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Skype, it’s video conferencing service that uses the Internet. If you are wondering why hiring managers would want to interact with a job candidate on a computer screen, the answer is simple: money.
Remember that from the employer’s perspective, the hiring process can be burdensome and expensive. It interrupts routines and distracts team members. Plus, if you are targeting a leadership role, the company may have a policy for reimbursing travel expenses for long-distance candidates, which means that you are about to ring up a sizable bill.
As a job hunter, you should know that there are many drawbacks to this type of job interview. In addition to common problems such as fuzzy transmissions, dropped calls and odd interruptions (barking dogs, ringing doorbells or a family member entering the room wrapped in a towel) these types of meetings make it hard for you to have genuine, focused conversation.
Because of the awkward nature of the on-screen interaction and lack of flow in the conversation, Skype is a good tool for employers who want a cost-saving way to rule out candidates. However, the job candidate is almost always at a disadvantage.
Don’t get me wrong; there is a place for this kind of technology. They’re wonderful devices for staying in touch with people that you already know. They’re convenient for business meetings (with managers and employers who are already on the payroll). They just don’t provide the right environment for a first job interview. My advice? Try to avoid them.
Unless, of course, you fall into one of the rare categories where a Skype interview will benefit you as a job seeker. Getting back to the idea of faraway employment, let’s say that you’re interested in landing a position in Tokyo. You could avoid an unnecessary trip across the world by carefully managing e-mail correspondence, asking pointed questions on the telephone, then agreeing to a Skype meeting.
Prepare in advance before you end up staring into a webcam. Create a quiet, private meeting space. Wear professional clothing. And practice until you feel comfortable talking, smiling and keeping “eye contact” with your computer’s camera.
Contact Eve at Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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