Skype Interviews - More and More Common

[RGM]

RGM:

The in-person interview is very relevant and very important for those "home-based" positions. Those are usually in sales or technical service, and are client-facing positions. The in-person interview allows the hiring manager to see the candidate as the client will see him or her - there is no substitute for that.

Dick

I agree. My friend is currently being interviewed via Skype, and we thought they were on the final interview w/the CEO via Skype (traditionally a fly-out to HQ engagement), it seems this is the final interview however. He'll know more next week.

[RGM]

RGM:

The in-person interview is very relevant and very important for those "home-based" positions. Those are usually in sales or technical service, and are client-facing positions. The in-person interview allows the hiring manager to see the candidate as the client will see him or her - there is no substitute for that.

Dick

Dick,

Was thinking about your response again over the weekend, I believe we are coming at it from 2 different viewpoints, need clarification from you again.

My viewpoint wasn't from the perspective of the hiring manager, which I THINK yours was....

My viewpoint was from the candidate's perspective, ie, being in a field position does meeting the people at headquarters for a face-face even matter? The person is going to be in the field, reporting to their home-office.

I would think while it would be nice to meet these people, it's not a requirement because the candidate is generally only going to deal with these people via email and a phone.

[Dave Walker]

@RGM
A face-to-face doesn't have to be at the HQ. In my area of sales it's common to have them in the territory, sometimes even with a "ridealong" on a client visit depending on the circumstances. Training will likely be at the HQ or a branch office, however: field-based employees will regularly interact with their counterparts at HQ. And I think there's something about human psychology that really likes meeting face to face at least once.

[RGM]

@RGM
A face-to-face doesn't have to be at the HQ. In my area of sales it's common to have them in the territory, sometimes even with a "ridealong" on a client visit depending on the circumstances. Training will likely be at the HQ or a branch office, however: field-based employees will regularly interact with their counterparts at HQ. And I think there's something about human psychology that really likes meeting face to face at least once.

I agree on the psychology, I always like to meet people I may be working for as an example.

As a field-based employee at most I interacted with product managers, tech support, and my supervisor, that's it generally.

I find my friend's interview w/the CEO via Skype instead of in person rather unique.