JobScribble

Job seekers are using video resumes on Youtube, blogs, video resume posting websites and on some job boards.  Resumes should not have your picture attached unless you are applying for a modeling job so why would you want a video resume?  Video resumes may seem like a good idea, but there are some pros and cons associated with having one.

PROS:

• Easy to produce with a webcam
• Ability to sell yourself on camera
• Can show that you are professionally dressed
• Can be a plus if you are good looking or attractive
• Ability to verbally articulate your skills and accomplishments
• Can show your personality and positive attitude
• Can show a little humor
• Can erase and start over until video is perfect
• Can use video resume along with written resume
• Videos can be produced by a professional
• Employers can provide questions they would like you to address in a  video
• Employers can assess your skills and abilities that they may not be able to see on a written resume (communication skills, body language, etc.)
• Can save time in t e screening process if you don't need to go to a prescreening interview
• Makes it easier for employers to view candidates who live far away and allows them to determine if they should conduct a phone interview or prescreening interview
• Saves travel expenses if you don't need to go to a prescreening interview

CONS:

• Employers may not accept or view video resumes based on their recruiting policies and practices
• Written resumes and job applications are still the norm for applying for jobs
• Employers can view and ascertain age, race, color, gender, national origin, and perhaps, religion by viewing video resumes.  Although some of these things can be determine by looking at a resume or in an interview, they can be more evident in a video resume vs. a written resume (accent, dress, skin color, age, disability, etc.).
• They employer may not focus on your skills, abilities, education, etc. like they may on a written resume.
• A video resume provides a mechanism for employers to unfairly weed job candidates out based on other information that may not be evident on a written resume
• Employers have to determine how videos can be stored in the applicant tracking systems and will need to determine how to capture the video in real-time (if applicant sends a link, their video could change over time or go down.  Employers need to capture what they viewed and considered as part of the employment screening process)
• Employers could be fearful of lawsuits and defending themselves against claims of discrimination based on what they saw on a video resume
• Your appearance may not be professional
• You may not be attractive or good looking
• Your communication skills may be poor
• Picture and sound quality may be bad
• You may not provide the information about yourself that employers are looking for
• Time consuming for employers to view videos
• Your video could be easily forwarded via e-mail and who knows where it will end up
• Your may not be comfortable in front of a camera
• Your are not interacting with another person so you may look like a talking head and it may not be a true representation of your interpersonal skills
• Employer would have to take notes or remember your video if they don't have your resume
• Some job candidates may not have the equipment or technical skills to videotape themselves so video resumes should not be mandatory by employers and candidates who have videos should not be given preference over those who do not
• Background of videos can influence employers (pictures on the wall, etc.)

Employers may want to screen applicants based on a written resume first.  If applicants meet that stage of the screening process, they may want to then view video resumes for those applicants.  However, those without videos should not be eliminated from consideration based on that fact.  Once a video is reviewed, employers can document why candidates were selected and not selected based on objective information.  Employers with a good screening process  and policies in place and ability to capture and store the video in real time will enable them to possibly use video resumes.

Job seekers can produce good quality video resumes to compliment their written resumes knowing that an employer could exclude interviewing them based on subjective information they see on a video.  If you use a video resume, it should be focused on the job you are applying for and your related skills and abilities.  Follow some of the same guidelines you would use if you were going to an interview or crafting your resume.  Have a career counselor at your college (or find one in the yellow pages) look at it and critique it .  Just like in a written resume, they can tell you what will be viewed negatively and positively in your video resume.    If you don't have it viewed by a career counselor, ask another professional to look at it and give you their feedback.

The verdict is still out on video resumes, and it may take more testing in the marketplace to determine if it can be used lawfully, easily, effectively, and fairly by both employers and job seekers.  You are armed with some of the pros and cons so you can decide if making a video resume is right for you.