A World Apart - Long-Distance Interviews.

So, long-distance interviews. You know the ones - over the phone or by Skype/FaceTime.
I've got a bone to pick with them.
I understand the reasons for having them: they're convenient, quick, and cost-effective. They're wonderfully suited for firms with limited spaces to fill and qualified applications coming from long distances away. They allow an interviewer to waste minimal time in between screening applicants, and they allow those applicants to apply even if they reside nowhere near the firm they wish to work for.
Still, there are some things I wish could be better.
I recently had the chance to do a mock interview with a buddy of mine over the phone. While the convenience box had been squarely checked, a number of things surfaced that plagued the conversation. First, the quality of our experience was largely dependent on the strength of our connection. There were a number of times where it was hard to hear one another; casting a negative impression on the whole thing. Second, it felt rather impersonal. I recall thinking that if I were to make a decision at that moment as to whether I should hire him, I would wish I could have talked face-to-face with him. I realize that many firms do just that after phone interviews, but it nonetheless remains a weakness of the long-distance interview.

To sum up: Long distance interviews have several inherent problems; however, I admit their necessity in today's modern world.