Interviewing with Twitter
Using the Micro-blogging Service to Conduct Interviews
Twitter is a social networking site, just like Facebook and MySpace, but with a twist – it is all about updates, or “tweets”, and those tweets are limited to 140 characters.
While 140 characters may not seem like a lot to say everything the user wants, it requires the “Twitterer” to be succinct. There is no room for an unwanted or unnecessary word – conciseness is the name of Twitter’s game.
George Stephanopoulos’s “Twitterview” with John McCain
On March 17, George Stephanopoulos, the ABC News Chief Washington correspondent and host of “This Week” attempted a “Twitterview” – an interview on Twitter – with Senator John McCain (R. – Ariz.). It wasn’t very long – the entire interview consisted of about 10 questions and 24 posts – but as Stephanopoulos wrote on his blog the same day “it was an interesting experiment.”
Since the Twitterview was so short, Stephanopoulos’s questions had to be to the point, such as “Cheney said…Obama putting US at risk of new terror attack Agree?” Similarly, Senator McCain’s answer also had to be right to the point.
Stephanopoulos also received a question from other Twitterers about Senator McCain’s daughter, Meghan, and her spat with Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham, to which the senator replied, “I'm proud of my daughter and she has a right to her opinions.”
The Benefits of a Twitterview
A 140-character tweet will require both the interviewer and the interviewee to think quickly and precisely. Knowing that an employee has very limited space to tell their potential boss about themselves will really compel them to reveal the most salient traits they want them to remember. This will also force the interviewer to ask one question at a time, making it easier on themselves and the interviewee.
Another benefit of a Twitterview is that it can be done in the privacy and comfort of one’s home or office. This can make it more comfortable for the interviewee; there is no need to pick out the perfect suit and tie, or make sure hair is perfectly combed – they can sit at the computer in your pajamas, if they so choose. A word of advice – minimize any distractions prior to the interview.
The Drawbacks of a Twitterview
One of the drawbacks of conducting an interview using Twitter is the lack of in-person interaction. The interviewer does not get to see the interviewee and vice-versa, so there is no way to gauge body language and other mannerisms. There is also no way to tell if the interviewee fits the look of your company. A way around this for the interviewer? Ask for an e-mail of a headshot, or a follow-up interview in person.
On the flipside of the succinctness of the 140 character limit is also the fact that it does not allow for a tremendous amount of depth. Yes, it is possible to simply continue your answer in another tweet, but that defeats the purpose of the limit. Again, a remedy for this would be to schedule a follow-up interview to be held in person.
While Twitterviews may not replace conventional interviews, it is still an interesting concept and one that shows how technology is expanding into every aspect of our everyday lives. And if Twitterviews do somehow become the future of interviewing, maybe there will be a video option to make it more personal and interactive.
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