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Video resumes – more popular, but use with caution
Video resumes. They are all the rage in the personal branding community, but the jury is still out as far as the majority of recruiters go. A recent post in the New York Times is headlined “Video Resumes Get More Popular.” However, if you read the article, there are many caveats. (In other words, just because they are popular with the job seekers does not mean they are popular on the hiring side!)
When Serene Buckley received her first video resume from an applicant, she was interested and reviewed it, it seems more out of curiosity than anything else! She noted that it would be important for the video to be accompanied by a strong, traditional resume.
As candidates attempt to “stand out” in a tight job market, more and more applicants are turning to video. However, there are many concerns that are important to consider before directing “Resume You.”
- Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to review videos. You only get 8-10 seconds for a resume!
- Most companies use computer software to scan resumes and are not equipped to review video resumes.
- The obvious emphasis on the candidate’s appearance could lead to racial discrimination.
- The video could actually hurt a candidate who is not attractive.
- A non-professionally produced video could highlight negative qualities.
The Times article quotes Don Straits, CEO of Corporate Warriors, an executive placement firm in Auburn, CA, ”...The only way that video resumes are really effective is when they’re used in context with supporting documents.” That means combining a video with a strong written resume and information about a person’s past performance.
”When video resumes are not used properly, they are worthless,” Straits said. ”And in fact, may do more harm than good.”
Not surprisingly, the article highlights the importance of production quality. Job seekers who know how to produce and edit a quality video (or hire someone to do it) have a strong advantage. It would be a shame to send a video that actually detracts from your search.
Before you start sending out a video of yourself, you want to really study what image you present. Look at your appearance, mannerisms, listen to how you sound.
Assume that your video (even if is well done and appropriate for your industry) is unlikely to help you unless your written materials catch the hiring manager’s eye first! In most cases, you must attract attention by communicating your value via traditional means that are easy to scan and assess, which usually means a strong written resume.
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photo by ezalis
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Miriam,
Bravo! I saw this New York Times link tweeted and retweeted yesterday suggesting video resumes are a good thing. No one wants to review 500 video resumes.
I think a better approach is to have a link on the resume to a personal website that can include a brief video about the candidate’s value proposition or a link to a value-driven blog. This gives the employer the choice to review additional information about the candidate if they want to.
For right now, traditional resumes, applicant tracking systems, and EEO still rule.
Miriam,
I’m still not seeing candidates adopt video resumes as a tool. I think it’s a great idea what is ready. One of my recommendations to candidates is to create a video presentation that adds to their resume and post it onto their LinkedIn Profile through either the slideshare application or the Google Documents application.
Many of my clients are starting to do video interviewing with out of town candidates as a way to save costs.
Barry Deutsch´s last blog ..IMPACT Hiring Solutions Home Page
Nice post. We’re seeing younger (entry-level) applicants really eager to use video with their resumes. It’s being used as a post-resume tool right now but may increase in the future.
[...] associated with video resumes…Miriam Salpeter of Keppie Careers has a great post on this topic here. I’m not saying that video and other rich media has no place in your job search campaign. Very [...]
“Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to review videos. You only get 8-10 seconds for a resume!”
I agree. A resume basically highlights the skills of the candidate required for the job; this is easily visible in the traditional CV.
Yes…….. Actually nowadays video resume in getting more popular in competitive market. And you can present you career details in a more effect way through video resume.