Job Inter-phew

A shy jobseeker has used his fear of interviews to his advantage - by turning it into a successful business.

Jon Glas missed out on dozens of jobs because his shyness caused him to stumble through interviews - until he came up with the idea of sending a video profile to a prospective boss.

The video enabled the employer to see the real him - without the sweaty palms and stumbling words - before the interview.

His brainwave worked and the video helped him secure a job with a London carpet sales firm.

But Jon has now turned his shyness into a business venture by launching video recruitment site www.jobs2view.com to help others get over their nerves and win that dream job.

The 31-year-old said: ííEvery job interview I went to filled me with dread. My hands would go clammy and I couldnít get out what I wanted to say.

ííI dread to think about how many jobs I missed out on because my shyness meant I came across badly in the interview.

ííBut after getting an interview for the carpet sales job I refused to let my shyness ruin my chances on yet another job.

ííAnd thatís when I came up with the idea of sending a video profile. Iím fine before and after the interview so I thought this would be the ideal opportunity for me to sell myself - without the worry of going all shy.

ííBy the time I got to the interview, I felt like they already knew me and I didnít feel anywhere near as nervous as I normally do.íí

Peter Blackmore, who hired Jon as an account salesman in his flooring division at Carpet Plan in Richmond, Surrey, said he thought the video was an original idea.

He said: ííI already liked Jonís CV and invited him in for an interview - But I was a bit surprised when Jon sent me the video.

ííBut after watching it I was very impressed. I felt like I already knew him and his personality and doing the interview ended up being just a formality.

ííIt wasnít until later on that Jon admitted to me he made the video because of his shyness during an interview but I thought it was such a brilliant idea I had already decided to hire him.íí

Several years later Jon and business partner Harry Vlahakis secured a five-figure investment from specialist web investment firm Ventutec to turn his idea into a business venture to help other shy jobseekers.

Jon, of Birmingham, added: ííA few years after getting the job, I thought about how many people must be in the same situation as I was - perfectly able to do the job but just not able to get it across in the interview.

ííAfter meeting Harry, we came up with the idea for jobs2view.

ííThe site allows you to upload a video profile, as well as your CV, to sell yourself before the employer meets you at an interview.

ííIt also means to can get across what you want to say without the panel of people sitting in front of you.íí

Since launching in March the website attracted thousands of candidates and employers, including multi-national firms such as Dyson and Del Monte.

There have been over 20,000 job searches and more than 2,000 candidates applying for a job.

The video profile technology works both ways as employers can also post videos online to give an insight into their company and the work they do.

Eventually, it is hoped that the website will allow employers to interview candidates online using the video technology.

To sign up to the site, visit www.jobs2view.com and register as a candidate or employer to enter your details.