Bimbo Banter


First it was Interviews via Skype, now Emojis


  • Trends
  • June 23, 2017
  • by Merrie Spaeth

We started training people for job interviews as a lesser known, but core specialty, years ago. The techniques are remarkably similar to interviews with media.

Our efforts started in the mid-90s, when one of our clients, now the CEO of a very large company, called and asked us to work with a manager who had a great operational track record but had blown four successive interviews for internal advancement. Fast forward a few more years and we started training people to interview direct-to-camera. Right behind those needs, came opportunities to interview via Skype, Google Hangout and other channels. And of course we know employers are scouring Facebook and other social media to determine a candidate’s worthiness.

What’s next? According to The Wall Street Journal, interviewing by text! Employers are using messaging apps like Canvas for text-based job interviews. The apps ask such penetrating questions like “What motivates you?” and then the software analyzes responses, presumably via algorithms, and produces a pictorial thumbs up or thumbs down.

While we admit to being dubious about this newest development, we guess it’s onward and upward, and most importantly, to always be prepared for the latest trends. What’s problematic? Emojis. One applicant included a smiley face, which promptly ended the exchange.     



You May Also Like


02.05.15

Story is the Ultimate Strategy

Here at Spaeth, we talk often about influencing through the power of storytelling. Merrie even teaches a seminar on it to MBA students at SMU Cox School of Business (where she just received her 30th Teaching Excellence Award!). Last… more 

09.09.19

Book Review: The 10 Laws of Trust

Trust is a major buzz word these days. Joel Peterson, chairman of JetBlue Airways and successful serial investor, wrote “The 10 Laws of Trust” just in time to contribute to the discussion. No one is against trust, but… more 

Bimbo blog image a
06.01.12

BIMBO Nominees for June 2012

What a full month! Click through to the full BIMBO to read comments from Ted Nugent, a Brazilian prosecutor who attacked Chevron, University of California, Berkeley’s athletic director, a Ph.D. who uses food stamps, the CEO of Union Pacific,… more 


Back to Top