Web chats have long been simply a fun way for separated friends to communicate, but the W. P. Carey School of Business has found a new use for webcams that's all business.
The school has been using online video communication to interview applicants for its master's of business administration program. The program is especially useful for students from India and China, from which the school receives most of its international MBA applications, said Rudy Pino, associate director of MBA admissions.
This program, now in its second school year, gives both admissions representatives and the student the chance to view each other, Pino said.
"If a prospective student was not able to physically visit the campus, then we would conduct the interview via webcam," he said. "This option is primarily for international students where it would be difficult to come to ASU."
Leon Klepfish, a computer information systems senior, was accepted to the MBA program for the 2008-09 academic year.
"Even though I did all my interviews in person, I think webcam interviews are definitely better than over the phone," said Klepfish.
Klepfish added that conducting interviews over the phone has its problems.
"When you're talking on the phone it can sometimes be confusing as to when it's your turn to speak," he said. "Sometimes you cut each other off. It's stressful."
Not only does a webcam interview ensure that the person being interviewed is exactly who they say they are, but it also adds elements that are not available when speaking to someone over the phone, Pino said.
"In lieu of the phone, we want an opportunity to see the applicant via webcam because it is an added dimension to a phone interview," he said. "You are able to see the student's reactions, which cannot be done over the phone."
Guy Groff, director of the business school's Graduate Career Management Center, said the school uses a virtual room to conduct the interviews with incoming MBA candidates, and also to allow students to interview with companies.
"We can also allow students to practice and record mock interviews," Groff added.
The only negative aspect of the program is occasional technical issues, but Pino says that when this happens, the interview can be rescheduled or conducted over the phone.
"We have been quite pleased with the outcome of the webcam," he said.
Reach the reporter at: charlsy.panzino@asu.edu.
