Comments on: Twentysomething: Video resumes are a short-term fad http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:41:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Mark Radoff http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-111576 Mark Radoff Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:47:19 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-111576 <p>Well, I don't think they're going to disappear, but I don't think they're going to revolutionize the market either. I think they basically augment the current process. One of the biggest problems in the hiring market for many employers is a torrent of applications. If you add videos to the mix, they could be a differentiator for some, but that would require the recruiter to break their regular filtering process. And if everybody does videos, the initial screening becomes that much more time consuming. Furthermore, you can't scan a video for data like you can scan a CV or resume. So they are not effective for first pass. By second pass you're already at a brief phone interview anyway. So unless the person is candidate is doing a job that's appearance-intensive (TV anchorperson) to the point of eliminating lawsuit liability, I just don't see that video resumes are going to revolutionize things.</p> Well, I don’t think they’re going to disappear, but I don’t think they’re going to revolutionize the market either. I think they basically augment the current process. One of the biggest problems in the hiring market for many employers is a torrent of applications. If you add videos to the mix, they could be a differentiator for some, but that would require the recruiter to break their regular filtering process. And if everybody does videos, the initial screening becomes that much more time consuming. Furthermore, you can’t scan a video for data like you can scan a CV or resume. So they are not effective for first pass. By second pass you’re already at a brief phone interview anyway. So unless the person is candidate is doing a job that’s appearance-intensive (TV anchorperson) to the point of eliminating lawsuit liability, I just don’t see that video resumes are going to revolutionize things.

]]> By: Jason Warner http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106827 Jason Warner Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:31:12 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106827 <p>Ryan,</p> <p>As a senior recruiting leader, I agree that video resumes in their present form are not compelling. Yes, most recruiters spend less than 1 minute (I would estimate 20 seconds tops) on a resume... we certainly don't want to hear candidates read one. </p> <p>I do predict that video will become an increasing part of the candidate experience for several reasons:</p> <p>1.) As a pre-screening tool, it allows recruiters to quickly review a candidate's communication skills and similar core traits, but it also serves to shift time in the same way Tivo does. This creates significant talent marketplace efficiencies; but most importantly, it does so for both candidates and employers (dual economic gain).</p> <p>2.) It allows potential candidates to be screened for multiple jobs, creating significant candidate-side efficiencies, which will become more important as the demographic landscape continues to shift. ie, if I am a candidate, I can answer several core questions (tell me about a time when you were really challenged in your career... What was the situation? What actions did you take? What made you successful...)on video and then submit that video to multiple companies. </p> <p>Video won't die in regards to the job hunt. We'll just have to incorporate the technology more smartly than we do today.</p> ******** <i>Jason, Interesting points. I do believe resumes will evolve in some way, recent advances in technology make this inevitable. The videos you are describing actually sound a lot more like "video interviews" rather than "video resumes," but maybe that is the future of resumes. A sheet of paper cannot be the best way to represent each candidate, but the current video resumes actually seem like a step in the wrong direction. It's the Web 2.0 era, we can be more creative. -Ryan</i> Ryan,

As a senior recruiting leader, I agree that video resumes in their present form are not compelling. Yes, most recruiters spend less than 1 minute (I would estimate 20 seconds tops) on a resume… we certainly don’t want to hear candidates read one.

I do predict that video will become an increasing part of the candidate experience for several reasons:

1.) As a pre-screening tool, it allows recruiters to quickly review a candidate’s communication skills and similar core traits, but it also serves to shift time in the same way Tivo does. This creates significant talent marketplace efficiencies; but most importantly, it does so for both candidates and employers (dual economic gain).

2.) It allows potential candidates to be screened for multiple jobs, creating significant candidate-side efficiencies, which will become more important as the demographic landscape continues to shift. ie, if I am a candidate, I can answer several core questions (tell me about a time when you were really challenged in your career… What was the situation? What actions did you take? What made you successful…)on video and then submit that video to multiple companies.

Video won’t die in regards to the job hunt. We’ll just have to incorporate the technology more smartly than we do today.

********

Jason,

Interesting points. I do believe resumes will evolve in some way, recent advances in technology make this inevitable. The videos you are describing actually sound a lot more like “video interviews” rather than “video resumes,” but maybe that is the future of resumes. A sheet of paper cannot be the best way to represent each candidate, but the current video resumes actually seem like a step in the wrong direction. It’s the Web 2.0 era, we can be more creative.

-Ryan

]]> By: Brainshark Blog » Blog Archive » Video Resumes: Hot or Not? Who cares! http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106741 Brainshark Blog » Blog Archive » Video Resumes: Hot or Not? Who cares! Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:30:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106741 [...] just read an interesting blog from Ryan Healy essentially saying video résumés are a short term fad - this is definitely a hot [...] […] just read an interesting blog from Ryan Healy essentially saying video résumés are a short term fad - this is definitely a hot […]

]]> By: Will Video Resumes Ever Take Off? » StandoutJobs.com http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106723 Will Video Resumes Ever Take Off? » StandoutJobs.com Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:44:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106723 [...] Healy thinks video resumes are a fad. If that’s the case a lot of companies are in trouble because they’re invested a great [...] […] Healy thinks video resumes are a fad. If that’s the case a lot of companies are in trouble because they’re invested a great […]

]]> By: Jessi http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106676 Jessi Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:56:08 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106676 I mostly agree....I think it is a good opportunity for spokepeople,actors,and such....but, for the general job-seeker I agree that written communication is the best source for getting to know someone before the in-person interview. I mostly agree….I think it is a good opportunity for spokepeople,actors,and such….but, for the general job-seeker I agree that written communication is the best source for getting to know someone before the in-person interview.

]]> By: Working Girl http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106653 Working Girl Thu, 23 Aug 2007 03:30:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106653 Thank God. So nice to know that "written communication" is turning out to be again important. I, too, have never been able to help judging people by their spelling and punctuation. For a while the attitude was that really smart people don't need to care about spelling, etc., and that those who did care were just anal-retentive types. Anyway, I think videos in general are more time-consuming than print. You spend more time getting less content. Good post. Thank God. So nice to know that “written communication” is turning out to be again important. I, too, have never been able to help judging people by their spelling and punctuation. For a while the attitude was that really smart people don’t need to care about spelling, etc., and that those who did care were just anal-retentive types.

Anyway, I think videos in general are more time-consuming than print. You spend more time getting less content.

Good post.

]]> By: Shefaly http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106624 Shefaly Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:22:09 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106624 Wendy says: "“A picture says 1000 words” and videos are hundreds of pictures sewn together, so a video is like sending a million words." All of those million words can be used by the employer firm to defend themselves when a discrimination lawsuit lands on their doorstep. There is a reason why some practices are not common. Employers also want to be safe against such potential issues. Way back, when I was graduating b-school, one smart-arse in my class stuck his photo under 'any thing else you wish to tell us' on the Procter and Gamble paper application form. Needless to say despite perfect grades in Marketing etc, he was not even short-listed in campus recruitment! The P&G guys, whose form did not even ask for gender, an otherwise common question, took great exception to it. Wendy says: ““A picture says 1000 words” and videos are hundreds of pictures sewn together, so a video is like sending a million words.”

All of those million words can be used by the employer firm to defend themselves when a discrimination lawsuit lands on their doorstep. There is a reason why some practices are not common. Employers also want to be safe against such potential issues.

Way back, when I was graduating b-school, one smart-arse in my class stuck his photo under ‘any thing else you wish to tell us’ on the Procter and Gamble paper application form. Needless to say despite perfect grades in Marketing etc, he was not even short-listed in campus recruitment! The P&G guys, whose form did not even ask for gender, an otherwise common question, took great exception to it.

]]> By: Wendy http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106619 Wendy Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:15:35 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106619 Video resumes are also "noisy" and in many work environments there are fewer private offices. If a hiring manager (whether HR, or the team leader looking for help) receives a video resume, he/she would either have to go somewhere else to view it, or force others around them to listen to it. Employees should be wary of confidentiality in the latter case (and an employer could get into legal trouble on this issue). Hiring managers will not want to move every time a resume is e-mailed to them. And I agree with the other commenters -- as a job seeker, don't give the employer too much irrelevant information as your skills and experience will get lost in the flood. A resume is a focused document, a video is not. "A picture says 1000 words" and videos are hundreds of pictures sewn together, so a video is like sending a million words. But with a resume, you really only want to say 100 targeted words about why you are the right fit. Video resumes are also “noisy” and in many work environments there are fewer private offices. If a hiring manager (whether HR, or the team leader looking for help) receives a video resume, he/she would either have to go somewhere else to view it, or force others around them to listen to it.

Employees should be wary of confidentiality in the latter case (and an employer could get into legal trouble on this issue). Hiring managers will not want to move every time a resume is e-mailed to them.

And I agree with the other commenters — as a job seeker, don’t give the employer too much irrelevant information as your skills and experience will get lost in the flood. A resume is a focused document, a video is not.

“A picture says 1000 words” and videos are hundreds of pictures sewn together, so a video is like sending a million words.

But with a resume, you really only want to say 100 targeted words about why you are the right fit.

]]> By: leslie http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106617 leslie Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:37:37 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106617 I think learning some acting skills can help job hunters in the interview process, whether we have video résumés or not, eventually we all end up talking to a stranger in a one on one situation. I think learning some acting skills can help job hunters in the interview process, whether we have video résumés or not, eventually we all end up talking to a stranger in a one on one situation.

]]> By: DJ FunkyGrrL http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106615 DJ FunkyGrrL Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:30:04 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/21/twentysomething-video-resumes-are-a-short-term-fad/#comment-106615 Unless one is trying to acquire a job in Hollywood as an: actor, dancer, model or commercials, I don't see the positives for average people using video resumes. Unless one is trying to acquire a job in Hollywood as an: actor, dancer, model or commercials, I don’t see the positives for average people using video resumes.

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