Video resumes - stop or play?

Video resumes are getting a lot of press as the next big thing in the age of YouTube and blogs. But are they they really resumes? Should they be? Are they necessary? My answer is a resounding NO!

There is NO point to a video resume if it's a reading or retread of a traditional resume. Why bother? If you're a savvy job seeker or career activist, you've already got a resume, a LinkedIn profile, and maybe even a blog or web page.

In my opinion, the real job of the video "resume" is to create connection and interest. So if you want to post a video resume on your blog, your website, or send it to an employer or recruiter, why not make that 30-second presentation a branded video profile that will do exactly that?

So, video resume, no. Branded video profile (a.k.a exciting 30-second video commercial), yes!

But before you create a video profile, do what ad agencies and marketers do. Do your homework! You must know who you are, who you want to target, and why you are valuable. Because like anything else in job search and career management -- even though you think it's all about you, it isn't! It's really about who you want to attract -- plain and simple. What they want, what they need, and do you have it?

So if you're going to create a video profile, be BOLD. Be a brand. Be a resource.

Remember, great bold brands attract and repel in almost equal measure. You don't want to be all things to all people, nor could you be if you did want to. So how about working on the attract part?! Be unabashedly who you are (brand) and be proud and energetic in your presentation of value (value proposition).

Be sure that your value proposition is immediately compelling, completely aligned with your targets' current needs, and will make a company salivate (or at least make 'em hungry).

Of course, it's a given that you need to work your video presentation style to reflect the culture of your field -- if you're in a highly traditional industry, a super creative presentation will be counter-productive.

But whatever format you choose, make your video profile shine with individuality and differentiation to create chemistry. Power it with a cluster of accomplishment sound bites that support that clear value proposition. Without that energized, personality-infused value prop, any job-search presentation or networking profile/pitch (written, verbal, or video) is weak and doomed to mediocrity.

If at all possible, work with a professional to make sure you are dressed for success (clothing reflects your brand), are lit well, are in an appropriate non-distracting setting, have good audio, etc. An amateur web cam video may seem like a cost efficient idea, but investing in a professional presentation will almost certainly pay off in better quality and results.

Stop, play, or replay? Which will it be?

Posted by Deb Dib

Comments

[Dan Schawbel]

Deb, as usual you express some interesting points here. My thoughts are that video resumes are beneficial to highly dynamic individuals who can express themselves in motion video. Those who are interverted will actually be hurt by a video resume. What it does do is save employers time from interviewing candidates.

There are two sides to this argument. I think it depends on the person's natural ability to present him or herself.

[Deb Dib]

Great points, Dan. My experience has been that if you tap into an introvert's passion, he becomes a passionate extrovert -- if even for a brief time. If that passion can overcome his natural reticence, then it could work in a video profile. If not, then you're right -- the lack of dynamism might just keep him from getting interviews. Then again, if a low-key approach is part of his brand and he wants to attract companies that are looking for a steadfast, responsible employee, it actualy might help him. Hard to say :-)

[Tom Schmidt]

Deb... The subject of video resumes does show that candidates are looking for alternative ways to best represent themselves. Resumes are screened by different methods depending on where they are in the candidate selection funnel. How likely is it that a video resume will be reviewed at the top of the candidate selection funnel where software using explicit semantic analysis, case-based reasoning, and knock-out questions via the employer's ATS are used to screen the many resumes submitted?

Although advocates of video resumes believe they can determine something about the candidate's personality or character, good scientific research has shown that the coefficient alpha (validity) of electronic resumes and video resumes remain inherently untrustworthy.

The situation of "I wish we knew then what we know now about so and so" usually takes a couple of months. A good assessment instrument will reveal trustworthy data about a candidate's approach to the workplace in 20 to 30 minutes.

Although assessment vendors are employer centric, resume writers are candidate centric. A professional resume writing firm could offer the candidate an assessment and then include a short version of the data in their client's resume. This might be an alternative to the video resume where candidates want to differentiate themselves. The issue is trustworthy or secure delivery of the candidate's resume that includes scientific information. A reason why employers administer assessments is they want to be certain that no one tampers with the results.

A professional resume writer could apply a digital signature to their client's MS Word document and no one needs any special hardware or software to open and read it. It will integrate seamlessly into present, past, and future hiring processes. A video file on the other hand does not integrate very well at all.

The digital signature using asymmetric cryptography provides bullet proof detection. If the professional resume writer's digital signature is on the document, no one has edited or altered the scientific content. The candidate has differentiated themselves by including additional content that is trustworthy. Employers can make more well-informed candidate selection desicions even at the top of the candidate selection funnel. The professional resume writer has another tool to use to help represent their clients.

[Deb Dib]

Tom, some very interesting points -- thanks for taking the time to craft such an informtive comment. Food for thought here.

[JibberJobber Guy]

Deb is 100% right on here. There is a huge difference between a video RESUME and a video PROFILE. Don't read your paper resume.

Also, Tom points out the diff between a regular resume and what it goes through. I don't see any type of video replacing the need to have a one or two page printout of my potential hires. It just isn't going to happen. But the video profile can be an excellent complement to your existing self-marketing strategy.

The winners are going to be the people that do as Deb suggests in this blog post.

Jason Alba
CEO - http://www.JibberJobber.com
:: self-serve career management ::

[Darlene McDaniel]

Video Resumes is a win for employers hands down. Not so, for job seekers. Whether they have personality plus (extroverted) or whether they are quieter and more introspective.

I do like some of the points made in the post.
Specifically the video profile, though I still have concerns about most candidates ability to project their brand and target the organization/job they are attempting to draw.

In a nutshell, I believe too many people will attempt to record an amateur video in their effort to keep up with technology. As a result, employers will do as Dan suggest and save time by not interviewing candidates that put themselves out there using video technology.

I maybe old, but I still like the old fashion way - two parties sitting across the table and talking - interviewing.

Most people are still trying to figure out how to interview effectively to get the jobs they want.

Darlene McDaniel
Interview Guru
http://www.interviewchatter.com/

[Deb Dib]

Jason and Darlene, thanks for your comments. Since posting, I've just learned about recruiters starting to experiment with virtual inteviewing via Second Life (I think a CareerHub blogger mentioned it recently as well.)If we're uncertain about how job seekers will come across via video in regard to their "real selves", how amazing to think that they may soon need to infuse a Second Life graphical/virtual avatar with their personality and brand (as well as figure out how to do actually use the technology). Sheesh, I'm with Darlene -- let's go for the sit-down meeting!