Video Conference

August 14, 2008 9:42 PM

Job interview via video conference - How to?

A company in Europa want to interview me via a video conference. They asked for my dial in number? I have never done this before and I want to ask them how to do it without looking stupid?

* Aren't there many different systems?

* How can they assume that I will be able to do this?

* What should I write back without looking stupid?

posted by yoyo_nyc to Work & Money (8 answers total)

Sounds like they are assuming you have access to a video conferencing suite (would they have any basis for that assumption?). You could give them your ordinary phone number for a phone interview, but otherwise, point out that you don't have access to a videoconferencing suite, but would be happy to conduct it in a web video setting. Recommendations:

Skype - simple to set up, although requires they install a client and have a webcam. Free.

Webex - they will likely have this already. Costs money, but you could maybe take advantage of their 14 day trial.

There was a free 'web video chatroom' thing called MeBeem, but it appears to have folded.
posted by Happy Dave at 10:42 PM on August 14, 2008

The dial-in number would actually be the IP address of the videoconferencing suite you would use.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:41 PM on August 14, 2008

There is a bundled-with-windows (until Vista) program called NetMeeting which works fine. In Vista, it has apparently been replaced by something called Windows Meeting Space (*shrug*).

Also, you can do this with messaging programs now too, at least Yahoo! and MSN Messenger. I've never done it with them.

What should I write back without looking stupid?
Find something that works, test it out yourself between two computers you or you and a friend control, and send them back a "I have access to [e.g. NetMeeting], and can be reached at [your IP or account name or whatever]. Will that be a good venue for you? If you have a different preferred platform, let me know.

How can they assume that I will be able to do this?
Because if you want the interview, you will either have this ready, or be resourceful enough to get it ready, like you're doing. Duhh.!
posted by whatzit at 11:58 PM on August 14, 2008

In addition to Happy Dave's post, there is ToxBox.com which is really pretty cool--and nothing to install (besides flash).
posted by verevi at 12:41 AM on August 15, 2008

Sorry, should have previewed. It is TokBox.com
posted by verevi at 12:43 AM on August 15, 2008

The dial-in number would actually be the IP address of the videoconferencing suite you would use.

Not necessarily. Some VC systems use ISDN.

Is there a commercial VC company in you locale, where you can hire out a suite?
posted by the cuban at 1:25 AM on August 15, 2008

ooVoo is another free piece of videoconferencing software; I've used it without problem before.
posted by katrielalex at 5:06 AM on August 15, 2008

My work installed pretty fancy video conferencing equipment and we were told that for offices without the equipment they could go into a FedEx/Kinkos and they have the equipment. Might be worth looking into.
posted by Octoparrot at 8:28 AM on August 15, 2008