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.