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Interviewing for Jobs by Video: a Q&A with JobOn’s CEO Jody Presti - cbl
Posted September 21, 2011
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By Brian Wolak
LEESBURG, Va. -- JobOn, a local startup, is filling a niche for would-be job seekers and employers by providing a web-based service for finding, applying and interviewing for jobs by video.
JobOn enables job seekers to use a computer or smart phone to create a video profile that acts as a shortcut to finding employment at retailers, grocers, restaurants and others employers.
Founded in 2011, JobOn is led by co-founder and CEO Jody Presti who was previously the national director of enterprise sales at DICE (NYSE:DHX) and a sales manager at e-centives Inc.
Presti answered a few questions about his new company.
How does JobOn work?
JobOn combines online employment listings with the ability for applicants to submit a video application using a webcam on their computer or smart phone. It starts with job seekers creating a profile on the site with basic employment-related information, then recording video responses to common interview questions. Applicants then use the JobOn search engine to find jobs based on keywords or points of interest, and click to submit their virtual interview.
Instead of traveling to multiple places, completing many different applications, and waiting to be called for a future interview, job seekers can now interview one time for multiple jobs. It is convenient, efficient and allows applicants to showcase their abilities in a way that stands out from other candidates.
What benefit do would-be employers gain from using JobOn?
The average time that employers scan job applications is only a few seconds. That's because they don't contain much useful information and every applicant looks the same on paper. The interview is the most important part of the process so JobOn puts this first. Recorded interviews give employers a quick impression of how well applicants would perform so they don't waste valuable face-to-face time on inappropriate interviews. Especially in high-turnover industries like retail, restaurant and grocery, pre-screening applicants' videos takes less time than application reviewing and scheduling, and it lowers the cost of recruitment because candidates are better matched for the job.
How many employers are currently using JobOn? What are your growth projections for the next year?
JobOn launched this month and has already signed up more than 100 employers because the value is so compelling: less turnover, lower costs and greater employee satisfaction.
There are tens of thousands of hiring companies in our target market and we forecast continued double digit adoption rates for both employers and job seekers.
Is JobOn primarily targeted to retailers, restaurants and grocers? Do you have plans to incorporate more types of businesses?
Our platform works for a variety of applications, but right now we're focused on these markets because they have been largely overlooked by technology. Applicants and employers in these businesses still use the same inefficient process, whether it's a generic application on paper or online. There is a lot of growth potential here.
What is the geographical radius of JobOn?
Our first market is Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. where we have job opportunities from tens of thousands of prospective employers. These are positions that employers regularly hire for, not stale jobs we've scraped from other job sites. We will expand from here into other U.S. markets beginning next year.
Funding status?
The founders have spent $250,000 of their own money to build and launch the product, and will be seeking investment to grow the business in 2012. Last week we made a presentation at the Fall 2011 DEMO conference in California, and next week we'll present at Digital East 2011 in Tysons Corner.
Location and hiring status?
JobOn is headquartered in Leesburg, Va. and has a sales and administrative office in Stevensville, Maryland. We now have a staff of six and are looking to hire for several positions.
Check out Presti's presentation here: http://tinyurl.com/3e2fkzj
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