If you’ve ever considered re-locating a caregiver from another state or distant location, you know the process of interviewing can sometimes be a challenge. Traditionally, re-locating someone has involved the applicant traveling to your location for an interview, but with recent technologies more readily available to caregivers and families, interviewing applicants remotely is helping make the process easier and less expensive.
Interviewing remotely does not necessarily REPLACE an in-person interview, but can add a very critical screening step BEFORE an in-person interview and may help save the expense of conducting an in-person interview in the event the caregiver is ruled out during the remote one.
There are several options for interviewing remotely:
- Free Internet Video Conferencing Services. Using these services requires a webcam (Price range: $8 & up), preferably on both ends, but at least on the applicant’s end. The popular free services are www.Skype.com. and www.oovoo.com.
- Free Instant Messaging programs with video capabilities. You will need a webcam for this option, as well. Services include Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger.
- FedEd/Kinko’s Video Conferencing. For a fee, FedEx/Kinko’s video conferencing services are offered in most major metropolitan areas so that you and your applicant just visit your respective local FedEx/Kinko’s offices to have a live video conference.
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Choose the scenario that fits your needs best, and feel free to share any other conveniences!