What's only slightly better than a hammer to your toe? Video Resumes!
I am going to go with slightly stronger language than Secrets of the Job Hunt and Magic Pot of Jobs and say that video resumes are probably one of the worst things ever devised as part of a job hunt in the history of mankind*.
I was trying to think of worse things in this world then going to this site and having to shuffle through hundreds of video resumes. I had a very hard time but I think I came up with a couple things:
- Dropping a hammer on my toes
- Having to wear one of those big chicken suits on a really hot day
- Shaking the hands of hundreds of thousands people without any hand cleanser
I am just awfully disgusted with the idea that people would actually work on a video resume before they have come close to perfecting their paper resume. Not to mention the point that Tiffany made regarding introducing bias or the point that C.M. about actually charging for a service that is already free.
I guess the issue I have with it all is the absolute faddish things that come out because of people's desperation during the job search. Using a video resume when you can't find a job using your regular resume is like trying to master the double reverse jam before you can make a free throw in basketball.
But ultimately, what will prevent people from using video resumes will be the fact that they will not work. And if something doesn't help them get a job, it likely won't stick around that long.
I don't like video resumes. But I do like asking candidates to respond to 2 to 3 questions on video, or asking them to give a five minute presentation on a challenge you're facing. This way you've already quickly selected them by the resume, but can use a video step to help screen for behaviors.
I blogged today on this...check it out:
http://www.susanstrayer.com/kaleidoblog/video_resumes_no_video_in_the_selection_process_maybe/#more
Posted by: Susan Strayer | January 17, 2007 at 06:13 PM
I tried CV One at http://www.cvone.com to create my video resume. There are still some bugs (beta!). But it's easy, looks professional, and it's free.
Posted by: Jason | March 13, 2007 at 02:20 AM
Sorry, it's actually http://www.gocvone.com
Posted by: Jason | March 13, 2007 at 02:22 AM
I don't want to repost what I already posted on the HR Guy's Blog. So you can view my opinion here:
http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/03/13/are-video-resume-sites-desperate/#comment-5059
I do want to say... the nay sayers are "NOT" looking at the whole picture.
Posted by: Mike Mehrle | September 08, 2007 at 04:20 AM