Video Call Requirement
One of the last steps in the onboarding process is for substitute candidates to meet with a Senya team member in a video call. You must complete all the other onboarding steps first, and then the video call item will allow you to schedule an appointment.
Continue reading below to see details and answers to common questions and issues.
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Scheduling Questions and Troubleshooting
Zoom Questions and Troubleshooting
Video Call Details
What is the purpose of the video call?
The video call allows us to meet you! During the call, we are able to learn about your qualifications and experience, answer any questions that you might have, and help you have a successful start to substituting through the Senya platform.
How do we meet?
All video calls are done through Zoom. When you schedule an appointment (see Scheduling Questions below), you will get an email with a Zoom link. On the day and time of your appointment, you will click on that link to join the Zoom meeting. See Zoom Questions below for common questions and issues with the site.
Who am I meeting with?
You will meet with a member of Senya's onboarding team. We are all very friendly!
How long is the video call?
You can expect to meet for 10-15 minutes.
Can I do a phone call instead of a video call? Or can I keep my video turned off?
We only do video calls. Working in schools requires excellent social skills, and in that vein, we feel it is important to see one another during this introduction call. In lieu of meeting in person, we opt for the convenience of meeting through a video call, and so it is an expectation that the video will be turned on throughout the meeting. For those concerned about background, we recommend preparing an area of your home that will work appropriately for the meeting.
How can I prepare for the video call? What questions might I be asked?
Here are a few important tips to prepare for the video call:
- Make sure that you schedule a date and time when you will not be rushed or distracted.
- Choose a location that will be free of distractions.
- Consider the background that will be showing on the screen where you are seated during the meeting.
- Make sure that your device has enough battery or is plugged in.
- Make sure that you have a strong Internet or data connection.
- Choose appropriate attire, such as what you might wear as a substitute teacher.
- Write down any questions that you have so you don't forget them!
The Senya team member will ask you questions like the following:
- Where did you find out about the Senya app?
- What makes you interested in substitute teaching?
- What experience do you have working in schools or working with children/youth?
- How might you support students with behavior challenges?
We will also chat with you about the 1099 independent contractor setup and answer any questions that you have!
Once the video call is completed, am I "hired?"
The Senya platform is designed to help schools and substitutes connect. Senya does not hire substitutes as employees, so following the video call, there isn't a determination of employment or hiring.
Rather, qualified individuals can expect to get access to the Senya platform following the video call, where you are able to choose jobs according to your own schedule and interests. In keeping with the 1099 contract, you will be expected to follow the Best Practices conduct to maintain access to the platform, but you retain full control of your schedule and the jobs that you wish to pursue.
The Senya team member will contact you when your access is approved. If the video call determines that an individual is not qualified or is unable to meet the Best Practices expectations, the Senya team member will notify the individual that a contract will not be offered.
Scheduling Questions and Troubleshooting
How do I schedule a video call appointment?
First, you need to complete all the other onboarding steps. In most states, that includes waiting until we have received your fingerprint background check results. Remember, once you have been fingerprinted, go back to the onboarding Clearance item and mark that you have been fingerprinted. That will allow you to continue through the other onboarding items.
You will be notified when we have received your background check results, and at that point, you will be able to click on the Video Call item to schedule your appointment.
Texas only: Due to a longer timeframe for the state to complete background checks, you are able to schedule your video call once you have been fingerprinted. Your access to the Senya platform will then remain pending until your results are cleared by the state.
How do I know my video call is scheduled?
You will receive a confirmation email, sent to the email used on your Senya account. The email contains the Zoom link that you will use on the day of your appointment. You will also receive a reminder email 3 days before your appointment and another 1 hour before your appointment.
The app isn't letting me set a video call appointment.
First, make sure that you have completed ALL other onboarding items. As noted above, this includes waiting until Senya has received your fingerprint background check results.
If all onboarding items are complete and the app still will not allow you to schedule an appointment, click the red Chat with Us button on the menu, and one of our team members will help resolve the issue.
There are issues when I click to schedule my appointment.
Video call appointments are scheduled through a third-party site, and there are occasionally issues with the display on some devices or web browsers. If you encounter a blank screen, if you do not see a list of available dates/times, or if you see the incorrect time zone, please click the red Chat with Us button on the menu, and one of our team members will help resolve the issue.
I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment.
When you scheduled your appointment, you received an email with the Zoom link. To reschedule or cancel, please follow the links that can be found at the bottom of the confirmation and reminder emails. After rescheduling your appointment, you will receive a new confirmation email with the updated time.
I missed my appointment.
Once you have scheduled an appointment in the app, it will not allow you to schedule a new one directly. If you miss your appointment, you ned to follow the links that can be found at the bottom of the confirmation and reminder emails. After rescheduling your appointment, you will receive a new confirmation email with the updated time.
While we understand that things come up, if there are multiple missed appointments, the individual may lose consideration for access to the platform.
What happens if I am late to my appointment?
Because there are many appointments back-to-back, if you are more than 5 minutes late, you will need to reschedule (see directions above). If you are having technical difficulties, contact us using the red "Chat with Us" button on the app for support.
Zoom Questions and Troubleshooting
What if I don't have Zoom on my device? What if I don't have a Zoom account?
While it is recommended that you download the free Zoom app on your device and set up a free account, neither are required to join the video call. After you schedule a meeting appointment through the Senya app, you will receive an email with a Zoom link to the meeting. When you click on that link, you can join the Zoom call by using your web browser instead of the Zoom app (you may need to click "no" when a pop-up asks if you want to open the Zoom app).
For more details about joining through your web browser, review this article published by Zoom.
I have never used Zoom before. What is it? What do I do?
Zoom is a company with software to facilitate online video meetings. It is similar to other video call sites if you are familiar with Skype, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.
If you have never used Zoom before, it is recommended that you click to join the meeting early so that you have time to make sure it works on your device. You will also want to make sure that your video and audio settings are correct. If you have a family member who has used Zoom or is tech savvy, it might be helpful to have them nearby when you first join in case you need support.
I clicked to join the Zoom meeting, but I don't see anyone.
When you first join the Zoom meeting, you will likely see one of the following two screens:
- "Please wait for the host to start this meeting."
- "Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon."
- "The host has another meeting in progress."
Any of these screens show that you are in the right spot! You won't see anyone until the Senya team member begins the meeting or lets you enter after a previous appointment. You will see our Senya team member's face once you are let into the meeting, and they will greet you to get started!
I am in the Zoom meeting, but my video or audio isn't working.
If your video or audio isn't working yet, our Senya team member will do whatever we can to help you figure it out. Zoom has a chat feature that can be used to communicate if needed while you are trying to get things fixed. You may also want a family member nearby who has experience with Zoom or who is tech savvy.
If it appears that it isn't going to work, it is recommended that you click to "Leave" the meeting, then rejoin by clicking the link again. The Senya team member will wait for you to return. You may also want to try joining from a different device, so if your phone isn't working with Zoom properly, you can try using a laptop, for example.
In the worst case, if the video and/or audio issues cannot be fixed, you can reschedule a future appointment and get support before the next meeting.
Other Zoom questions or issues?
Zoom has a great support site where you can search by topic or see a list of common topics (Support by Topic at the top).
