What to do: Rescheduled Skype Interview

This is actually an update of my previous post about my recent oDesk interview experience. After the first video chat interview over Skype, I was turned over for another video chat interview with the owner of the company who is based in Canada. The conversation went okay as I gave him a background of what I do and what I like to do as well as my long term goals. After that, he explained that it will be the first time that they will hire an academic researcher so, they will need someone who has access to online databases and university library which is actually my advantage over the other candidates. The owner also suggested a few management books that I might want to read about because I'll be writing articles similar to those printed in Harvard Business Review magazine. The work sounds promising, and I thought it was something I can engage in for a long time if in case I really need to leave my full-time job. He even asked how much I was earning in my full-time job though he said it was just out of curiosity. Although, deep inside I think he was assessing that if the project goes well then, they can pay me full time thus, matching the rate with how much I was earning currently. At the end of the interview, I was left with some assignments:


1. to email my curriculum vitae

2. to send him a list of online databases I have access

3. to list down management reference books dated 2010 onwards which are available in our university library


After that, I'll be scheduled for another round of interview so we can have more to talk about that is related to management or more like "getting down to the real business." So, I did my assignments and set another date for the second round of interview which I had to do online through a link that was sent to me. There were two major incidents which made me think thoroughly and left me in a dilemma. 

First, the skype interview kept on being rescheduled. I made major adjustments just to make it on time as we were on a different timezone. Even though I had my fair share of confusion with the timezone and missing out on the original schedule (just one time), I think to reschedule an interview which has been hanging for 2 consecutive weeks was way too over for me. The excitement about the potential project was there. It was actually something I was very interested in and something I am passionate about so, I was hoping that it was going to push through.

Second, the company owner sounds like a bit skeptical on how updated the university libraries here in the Philippines are. According to him, I may have access to online databases and reference books, but he needs updated materials (as if assuming that we just depend on second-hand books from western countries). I would have bragged about how updated our university library is but, I know it would mean nothing to him (unless he personally witnesses the newly built Henry Sy Hall Building in Taft) and I didn't want to lose this opportunity arguing about this stuff.

In the end, I decided just to let it go. Despite being told that I have great potential, our schedule just does not always seem to agree. On my end, it was a bit difficult because I already invested a lot of effort to adjust to his schedule. So, more than three (3) times of rescheduled interview is too frustrating. Lastly, if he tends to underestimate the educational system (or at least the capability of our schools to update the library materials), he might treat my work output in the same way. It was quite sad but, that's just how odesk application works.

Nevertheless, my online job hunting goes on....

Photo credit

oDesk Interview Experience

Skype Voice Calls Work on iPad with Everyman Headset (Photo credit: stevegarfield)

In my quest to finally land on a full-time online job, I've been applying to oDesk jobs recently. Most of the posts I refer to are about article writing, website content writing, research, and social media management. Luckily, there were a few interview schedules, and it inspired me to create this blog entry.

When you get an invitation for an interview on oDesk, clients have their own definition of "interview." It's either you are invited to chat, to video chat or voice chat only. So, it's important to clarify these things to the client so that you can prepare well especially if they require you for a video chat interview. Clients who invite you for an interview, ask for your Skype account and/or Gmail. 

The odesk client for this recent interview invitation for a research assistant post asked for my skype ID. She sent me a link to her online appointment calendar, and from there, I chose the time slot for my interview schedule. However, due to the confusion with the time zone, I missed out the interview schedule. Good thing she was kind enough to reschedule the interview just this morning. But, I had to file for a leave from the office to accommodate this Skype interview. Again, take note that Skype is critical so if you do not have a Skype account better create one now. It is one of the essentials when you are engaged in online jobs.

To cut the story short, I was asked for my resume after the Skype interview. It started with the usual "tell me about yourself" because she wanted to get to know me as a person. It was an orientation of the company I am going to work for and the like. I also learned that it is the first time that she will be hiring an academic researcher, so, I would consider this as a prospect for a long term online job which is actually my goal this year. If I have to quit my full-time job if everything goes well with this online opportunity. 

I was left with a few assignments, and I have to get back to her for another interview schedule. If the test project goes well, I will be paid for it and then get hired. But, if not, then the job hunt goes on...