Guidelines for Applicants Interviewing using ooVoo
Thank you for your interest in employment at Grand Valley State University. As we discussed during our phone conversation, prescreening interviews for this search will be conducted using telepresence interviews. The telepresence product used for this is ooVoo. To download a free copy of ooVoo click on http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx
Please prepare for this interview as you would for an onsite interview. Dress professionally and be prepared. Research Grand Valley State University at www.gvsu.edu and the department in which you are interviewing. Even though this prescreening interview is through telepresence technology, it is still a very important part of the search process and should be treated as such.
In preparing for your interview make sure you have a computer, direct connection to the Internet (wireless bandwidth is not sufficient for audio/video requirements of telepresence) and a camera. If your computer doesn’t have a built in camera we suggest the Kodak s100 which is both mac and windows compatible and costs about $20. We also suggest a headset with a microphone for clarity and minimal feedback but this is not a requirement. Please contact the search committee chair if you do not have access to this equipment.
After logging into ooVoo prior to the interview, immediately change your status to busy so you will not be interrupted during your interview.
Approximately 30 minutes before your interview is scheduled to begin, you will be contacted by a GVSU telepresence technician to help you test your connection, sound and lighting. As with the use of any technology, there is always the possibility of the equipment or connection not working correctly. Therefore, please keep a phone handy in case it is needed.
Prior to the interview, we suggest that you practice by recording a message. You do not need to send these messages but you can check the lighting and the sound level of each message.
When speaking on ooVoo it is important to look directly into your webcam because this is how you give the person you’re talking to direct eye contact. Keep eye contact with the camera in order to show the interviewee that you’re paying close attention to their responses. When someone on the search committee is speaking it is appropriate to look down at their picture and listen to what they are saying.
When choosing the location for your interview, find a place where there are no distractions. Also keep in mind that your background should be a lightly colored wall. It is also important to keep in mind the lighting conditions. Ideally the light source is placed behind the web camera in front of your face. You want to avoid light source behind your head for it may cause a silhouetting effect making it difficult for your viewers to see you.
When speaking, make sure to modulate your voice. Speak clearly and avoid rapid speech. The best way to achieve this is through practice and the best way to practice is by recording video messages and playing them back.
During the interview it is important to remember not to move papers around. The movement of papers will be emphasized by the microphone. Your microphone is sensitive and it picks up many sounds, even subtle ones.
Please contact the chair of the search committee with any questions or concerns. Good luck with your search!