Do video resumes have a future?

     The video resume is a relatively recent phenomenon, and as unemployment rates go higher, more and more job seekers are looking for ways to stand out and attract an employer’s attention.   Many major job search sites provide users with an opportunity to upload video resumes and tips on how to make them.  However, very few companies actually accept video resumes.  

     There are several reasons why companies are so reluctant and cautious about making video resumes a part of their recruitment process.  First of all, viewing video resumes can be extremely time consuming. It takes a recruiter less than a minute to review a traditional paper resume, while most video resumes last from 3 to 6 minutes. Since companies usually get hundreds and sometimes even thousands of applications for a job opening, imagine how long the selection process would take if a recruiter had to watch that amount of video resumes! Second, employers are complaining about the level of professionalism of video resumes. Not all people feel comfortable in front of the camera, and as a result presentations can sound either too rehearsed or plain awkward.  Sometimes job seekers can also get too creative in their attempts to persuade perspective employers to hire them. Third, employers are worried about discrimination lawsuits that video resumes can invite, as they will provide the recruiter with such information as race, sex, disability and age of a candidate.  Fourth, if an employer requires video resumes as a condition for considering an applicant for an opening, it can be accused of adverse impact discrimination.  People who don’t have video cameras or computers may claim that they lacked access. However, video resumes may be appropriate for positions that require presentation skills and creativity (for example, marketers) and for positions where looks matter (TV host, dancer, singer).                                      

     Although a video resume can be an excellent supplement to a traditional resume, as it enables a candidate to present qualifications in a unique way and showcase communication skills and personality, it is still not obvious if video resumes will become ubiquitous.  They may, but companies will need to create policies and guidelines in order to protect themselves against potential discrimination lawsuits, and standards of what should be included in the video resume must be developed. 

Here is an example of a creative video resume: 

And here is an example of a successful video resume that helped the candidate to impress the employer and get an in-person interview: 

Articles used for a current post: Accepting video resumes; Drawbacks of a video resume