Simulating Behavioural Interviews Using Synchronous Communication Software: Elluminate Live (Practice APPLICATION Brief) (Report‪)‬

This practice application brief reviews the preparation, implementation and evaluation of running behavioural interviews online. In a collaborative program between the School of Information Technology and the Careers and Employment service at Deakin University in Australia, students demonstrated their ability to articulate their generic employability skills within a simulated interview environment using Elluminate Live[R] (www. elluminate.com) (or eLive at Deakin University), a 'real-time' communication application. This program was piloted with final-year undergraduate information technology students who were completing a professional practice unit that is delivered wholly online. Computing students experience difficulty in articulating their skills (Coldwell, Craig, Goold & Sponza, 2011), something that is vital in the interview process when providing responses to employers' selection criteria. This brief details the application of eLive as an authentic learning opportunity given to information technology students to prepare them for employment within their industry. The online format provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with employer recruitment practices, including telephone screening or call-conferencing when applying for local or international job vacancies. THE ACADEMIC CONTEXT