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Three Reasons Why First-Round Interviews Should NEVER Be Done Via Zoom
Earlier last week I was offered a first-round interview for a management role at a local university. Traditionally these interviews have been with one person or maybe a small group via a phone conference. This allowed me to roam around my apartment, answering questions with more passion and emphasis than I would ever want to show on camera.
But lately, at least since 2020, I’ve had these first-round interviews on Zoom or other video conference software.
And I’m growing wary about them.
You see, I am part of more than one protected class according to the US Equal Economic Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Some of these classes aren’t visible, such as my chronic disability. But others, like age and ethnicity, are on full display on video.
In fact, when I was experiencing some technical issues getting my video camera to work while having working audio, I was still able to talk to the committee. But the committee chair made a comment about how they wanted “to see my smiling face on camera” which threw me for a loop.
Because seeing me on camera can lead to some unintentional (and even intentional) consequences.
