Why Video Resumes Are on the Rise

Why Video Resumes Are on the RiseWhy Video Resumes Are on the RiseYour digital resume is polished and all ready to go. Youre all set to customize your resume as needed, highlighting skills illustrating why youre the best candidate for the job, or the best fit for the company. But thenyoure asked to submit a resume in an entirely different format on video. In the job marketplace, video resumes are becoming an increasingly popular format of choice.So, what to do? To be sure, employers who request video resumes may do so because theyve concluded that, for their purposes, its a great way to see and hear a job applicant up close, in their own environment. That may make sense for jobs in the video industry or other visual-oriented areas.But if youve never done a video resume, and wonder how to proceed, a bit of research may be in order, including a review ofresume tips, and determining what works best for you.Why Video Resumes Are on the RiseEmployers seeking video resumes may consider vis ual images of all applicants in the job candidate swimmingpool as another tool at their disposal to choose the best person for the position. In the employers view, a video resume may offer job candidates great latitude to present themselves in their best light, just as a traditional print or online resume does.Execution is key. In an increasingly visual age, employers may view video resumes as an easy way to skim through a mountain of applicants without having to actually read. Hiring managers can watch, listen, learn, and make decisions based on whats presented on a visual platform- in other words, a candidates performance.Determining How and Whether to Make a Video ResumeFirst off, what is a video resume? Simply put, its a short video presentation created by a job candidate offering many of the same highlights that a traditional resume lays out educational background, skills, experience, and any other information tailored to a specific job title or company.If yourecreating a video resume, make sure you have your ducks in a row. That is, you dont want to kill your prospects for getting hired by submitting a low-quality video. An out-of-focus image, poor sound quality, a disheveled appearance, or a sketchy-looking background could doom your chances of getting the job. If youre compelled to produce a video resume for a job you really want, a few things to avoid includeOff-topic subjects or other verbal content that doesnt focus on the job or your qualificationsPoor production, including bad lighting and shaky camera workLittle or no eye contact or engagement with the cameraExcessive hand or body movementClothes, fast-food wrappers, or random or distracting items strewn across the backgroundChildren, other family members, or pets wandering in and out of the roomDistracting noises in the background (or at least those within your control)Pros and Cons of a Video ResumePros of Video ResumesControl. Candidates have a chance to answer all the questions preemptively. In other words, the candidate may feel as if theyre in control and not at the mercy of unexpected questions from the employer. That may mean a diminished risk of being blindsided by unforeseen or inopportune questions.Creativity. With a bit of foresight, job candidates can tailor their environment and their presentation to the specific job opening in creative ways that present them in their best light.Cutting-edge.Video resumes, from a job applicants view, may provide an opportunity to demonstrate that youre on top of technology and fully plugged in to the latest ways to apply for a job- beyond emailing your particulars to a prospective employer.Cons of Video ResumesEEOC rules. Both job candidates and employers may want to consider possible questions that video resumes could raise concerns about hiring rules set by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Among the possible concerns is whether a candidate who commits their image to a video resume could raise bias issues i f theyre rejected for a candidate of a different gender, race, or physical ability.Errors. In describing yourself and your abilities on video, its not out of the realm of possibility that you could over-state your qualifications or oversell what you have to offer. Video resumes are often subject to the same level of scrutiny as their print or digital counterparts.Excessive length.A primary rule for video resumes is to keep them short. Whether you make a tight presentation short while videotaping or edit afterwards, its a good idea to make sure your video resume is focused and on point before you upload it.Find mora resume tips to fuel your job search.