New technology helps interview skills

By Erin Glorvigen
Guest Writer

Career Services at Saint Mary’s University is now offering online interviews using a technology called InterviewStream, a web-based software.

InterviewStream allows students to use any computer with a webcam to do a practice interview. Since it is Internet-based, it is available for use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Once students sign up for the service via SMU’s Career Services webpage, they can begin selecting their interview question set. Typical pre-selected question sets range from five to ten questions. However, students can also choose from a variety of different categories that are more focused toward their major.

When students begin their interview, they are asked the questions one by one, and their answers are recorded. Students are then able to go back and review their answers. InterviewStream allows students to re-record an answer as many times as they would like.

When students complete the interview process, the interviews are emailed to whomever they would like to meet with to be critiqued; typically, it is sent to a professor or Jackie Baker, director of career services.

“What’s neat about InterviewStream video is that students, and everybody, tend to do things that they don’t know,” Baker said. “Subconsciously they may say ‘umm’ a lot, or their hand movements are kind of weird. If you can watch yourself speak, you can learn from it.”

Kaitlin Depuydt, senior, did not realize a habit she had until she used InterviewStream. “I didn’t realize how much I would say ‘umm’ before I had all of my thoughts ready,” Depuydt said. “I’m more aware of taking time to just think for a minute without filling the silence.”

Many SMU students are required to use InterviewStream for class. Mary Bambenek, coordinator of graduate and professional programs who teaches Job Search Strategies, requires her students to use the InterviewStream technology. Prior to using web-based interviews, she would conduct the interviews in person.

“I think the students in my class have found it very helpful,” Bambenek said. “I think they have found it neither better nor worse than in-person interviews. I believe it is just another tool to practice with and get confident.”

Regardless of having to use InterviewStream for a class or not, Baker encourages all students to get more comfortable with their public speaking skills.

“Communication skills are in the top five skills that employers look for,” Baker said. “If you can prove to the employer that you can communicate effectively during an interview, you have a step up, and you are one step ahead of others.”

Students who are interested in learning more about InterviewStream can either visit the Career Services webpage on the SMU website, or stop in the Career Services office at Saint Mary’s Hall 136.

The InterviewStream technology is something that all students can use to improve their communication skills. “I think it’s an amazing technology,” Bambenek said. “I hope students take advantage of it.”