By David Jensen, CPRW, CARW,CEIP

The ability to create and post short audio and video clips on personal Web sites and video sharing sites such as YouTube has taken online communication to a new level. Job seekers are even using video technology to promote their employment candidacy by creating and distributing video résumés. Despite the growing popularity of this trend, it still begs the question, do video résumés really work?

 Video Résumés Call For New Technology

The human resource professionals and recruiters interviewed for this article all said they would review a video résumé. The reasons they gave were that they were curious about the technique and it would allow them to see how candidates present themselves and their public speaking skills. Still, video résumés are a ways out from becoming a mainstream form of résumé distribution because someone can review five or six paper résumés in the time it takes to view one video résumé. However, larger companies are investing in applicant tracking systems that will likely include a feature that enables hiring managers to quickly open and view video résumés.

A Properly Produced Video Résumé can be an Effective Job Seeking Tool

The fact that HR professionals have said they would review a video résumé means that it can be an effective tool to promote your candidacy. However, as with a text résumé, not only does it need to capture and retain your audience’s attention, it needs to compel a hiring manager to contact you. With a video résumé, you employ a combination of your appearance, presentation ability, and content to make your case. You have between 60 to 90 seconds to provide enough of the right information for the hiring manager to make an informed decision about you.

Take the Time to do it Right

Video cameras are very unforgiving. The first time someone goes in front of a television camera, they usually receive some coaching because the camera amplifies every movement and vocal slip-up. Your audience focuses on you the entire time so it can be very noticeable and distracting whenever you look away from the camera, move your arms, or stutter. Make sure you get clean video and audio recordings and edit out all mistakes to provide a clear and coherent product.

 Video résumés will eventually become a common job seeking tool. And it won’t be long before the most skeptical employers will come on board. However, even the most top-of-the line production technology cannot compensate for a poorly produced résumé. A well-crafted résumé, whether on paper or on the screen is an investment in your career. It’s worth your while to devote the time and resources to create a good product.

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