Technology Greening the Interview Process

The last face-to-face job interview I had was in early 2005 and since then I’ve interviewed several times with companies around the globe using virtual interfaces. It is an increasingly popular trend and one that comes with many environmental benefits.

Just last month at the Green Technology World Conference the focus was on optimizing virtual communications to cut down on travel and reduce both overhead and carbon footprint. That mindset is extending into the search for qualified employees with Skype, instant messenger programs and even the virtual world of Second Life.

In A Job Interview You Don’t Have to Show Up For the Wall Street Journal looks at how some employers are using Second Life to screen potential employees. Some firms, like TMP Worldwide Advertising & Communications LLC, have gone as far to hold virtual job fairs featuring companies like Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc.

Tandberg is a visual communications company that is helping companies “go green” with videoconferencing technology “to reduce unnecessary travel and provide effective telecommuting options.” Among Tandberg’s growing markets are first responders, telemedicine, manufacturing, financial services and telejustice.

From experience, the virtual interview can be just as nerve wracking as a live meeting but the virtual connection has many benefits. First, it’s cost-effective. Rather than spending money on travel you are able to meet prospective employers without much expense. Second, it offers an easier approach. There’s nothing like sweating over finding a parking space in time to rattle your pre-interview composure. With virtual interviews you can use the extra time saved in travel for last minute preparations.

And of course there’s the green side. Virtual interviews require electricity and aren’t zero-impact but they do help cut down air, transit and car travel which means less emissions and a smaller carbon footprint all around.

There are some special considerations for meeting in the virtual world. The post How to Prepare for a virtual interview has some good tips to handle technology. Mostly though the same rules apply to virtual interviews as they do to live interviews. Those are thoroughly examined by b5media’s own Darlene McDaniel over at Interview Chatter where job seekers can find insight into mastering the job search and interview process.