Video Resumes: Passing Fad or the Future?

If you’ve visited a job board or read up on new job search techniques recently, you’ve seen ads for video resumes. And you’re probably wondering if you should create one. Are they worth the money? Do employers really prefer them? Let’s consider the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. You’ll definitely stand out from the crowd. As opposed to a print resume or online application, which all tend to look and sound the same, including a link to a video resume can really set you apart from your competition.  In the current economic climate, it’s important to give yourself any advantage you can.

2. You can showcase your personality. Video shows a potential employer what you look like, sound like and act like.  It can save the employer the time of an initial screening.  A paper resume can only show employers the facts of what you have to offer. Video can show them a lot more of the intangibles.

3. You can put your money where your mouth is. If you’re applying for a skill-based job, you can use the video to actively demonstrate your abilities.  In other words, you can show, where a traditional resume only tells.

Cons:

1. You need to put a lot of time and effort into making a good video. If you think all you have to do is record a video of yourself talking about your skills and your previous experience, think again. No recruiter wants to sit through a video of you talking about yourself when they could just read your resume for the same information. And it’s a little much for some jobs. Videos are great if you’re going for a creative position, so you can showcase your talent and creativity—provided you do it right.

2. They turn a lot of employers off. While some companies might specifically ask for them, video resumes have not been embraced by the majority of employers. If hiring managers don’t want to see it, then you’ve wasted your time and money making it. And probably annoyed them by sending it.

3. Hiring managers are also wary of video resumes because unsolicited emails with video links in them often contain viruses, spyware and other malware.  So if you send your video resume without it being asked for, you might wind up getting deleted before you’re ever considered.

If you’re in a field where a video resume can really allow you to strut your stuff—in less than two minutes—it may be worth the time, money and effort to create one. If you’re applying for most jobs, though, it may work against you instead of for you.

Your best bet may be talking to a professional recruiting agency like Employment Professionals Canada. We can work with you to sell your strengths and talents without gimmicks!