The Online Interview
Haidn Ellis Foster is the founder of HEF Media, LLC, and the editor of a new web magazine, The Hatchet, a collection of articles and blogs with the modest dream of making the world a better and more interesting place. Haidn lives in Seattle and has never had coffee.
I recently had a chance to ask Haidn about the challenges of interviewing blogger candidates for his site. Haidn, welcome.
Thank you, Gina. Good to be here.
Can you tell us a little about your website and how it came to be?
The Hatchet was born from a long-held desire to create a publication which was truly interesting: analytical, provocative, laced with wit. The site was first conceived as our standard article-driven periodical, soliciting freelance writers and paying a standard rate for each article. Analyzing the response we got from both readers and writers, however, it became clear that while articles would still be important to the site’s development, blogs would be a great tool to create ongoing, interactive, and personal content. As you may have guessed, we then needed to go about getting bloggers, which led to interviewing candidates, which in turn led to this interview.
Do you think it’s possible to do an adequate interview without a face-to-face meeting or phone conversation?
For my purposes, yes, but I’d say it depends on the situation. The Hatchet only really requires that bloggers be strong writers, and knowledgeable and passionate about their subject(s). I don’t really care if my bloggers have blatant disregard for personal hygiene, say, or perhaps don’t always get along so well with others. As long as bloggers are producing great content, I’m generally happy. If I were hiring for a traditional office job, however, online interviews wouldn’t cut it; I’d need to feel out, along with a host of other factors, how each candidate might work with the team in an office setting.
Is there something that you like about online interviews compared to face-to-face interviews?
I like how the online interview process opens up your candidate pool to talent from around the world. Not every company has the means to fly international job hunters to the interview site, but thanks to the Internet we were able to snag great writers living in my different countries.
Aside from the obvious challenges, what was the worst part of your online interviewing experience?
I’m going to generalize here and say that the whole process is a bit like “American Idol”: that is, there are some unfortunately poor writers (just like singers on that show) who are convinced they are God’s gift to the trade. it’s tough sometimes for people to hear the truth.
Haidn, as a hiring manager, is there any advice that you could offer to our readers who may be pursuing job opportunities that utilize online interviews?
Always follow directions. If the directions to apply ask for something, include it; don’t make me call or email you to get your resume, for example (Most hiring managers won’t take this step, either, and incomplete applications usually just end up in the trash.) Also, personalize your application. It tremendously improves my opinion of a candidate if it’s obvious he or she has taken the time to at least look at (and preferably read) the site before applying.
That’s great advice, Haidn. Anything else we have not covered here?
I think that’s a pretty good overview. Good luck to your readers, and thanks for having me.
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