The concept of using Skype for interviews isn’t new. However, employers demanding that students use Skype for interviews and not providing an alternative interview format is new. Until a recent visit at an Ohio career fair, I had never seen a mandatory Skype interview policy from any employer. At this particular event, there were 5 employers telling potential job and internship seekers that they MUST have access to a web cam and participate in a Skype interview.

This situation is a problem.  Not all career centers have adapted to Skype interviews and many of them do not provide web camera access for their students.

I encourage employers to explore new technology, especially technology that can potentially enhance recruiting. That being said, it cannot be a requirement. We need to close this communication gap between schools and employers. If you are attending a career fair at a college, take the time to find out what technology the school offers their students. Cater to these students and the resources they have available at their fingertips. Students do not need another reason to be frustrated with the recruiting process. This is not a time to be requiring students to have web cameras – if their schools don’t have the technology – where are they getting the technology from?

Many schools ARE creating “mock-interview rooms” and spaces for students to conduct these online interviews – however, we are not even close to all schools having these capabilities.

Recruiting at a school? Start a conversation with their career center. Understand their students and their resources.