Comments on: Video Resumes are Awful http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/ Life between the brackets Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:42:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Video Resumes Still Suck | YourHRGuy.com http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-343 Video Resumes Still Suck | YourHRGuy.com Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:24:01 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-343 [...] have written about video resumes all of two times. All of them get regular reader responses from people trying to convince me that they some [...] [...] have written about video resumes all of two times. All of them get regular reader responses from people trying to convince me that they some [...]

]]> By: Joe Bob http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-342 Joe Bob Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:48:34 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-342 well, this is a bit late in coming. Btu without even mentioning the obvious that will remain politically correctly hidden that employers won't speak of, is visual attractivness, size, and even perhaps gendre/race (I hope not, but no one knows what goes on, inside the psyche of employers, they are humans too). That will have a positive or a negative impact on the visual presentation. Sounds off topic perhaps, but a reality non the less. well, this is a bit late in coming. Btu without even mentioning the obvious that will remain politically correctly hidden that employers won’t speak of, is visual attractivness, size, and even perhaps gendre/race (I hope not, but no one knows what goes on, inside the psyche of employers, they are humans too). That will have a positive or a negative impact on the visual presentation. Sounds off topic perhaps, but a reality non the less.

]]> By: Web2.0 Job Search: Evolution or Revolution? » JobMob http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-344 Web2.0 Job Search: Evolution or Revolution? » JobMob Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:16:46 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-344 [...] and there are already dedicated Video CV or VCV-posting sites. A nice idea until you realize that recruiters hate them since recruiters often lack the time to go through all the paper resumes they receive and video [...] [...] and there are already dedicated Video CV or VCV-posting sites. A nice idea until you realize that recruiters hate them since recruiters often lack the time to go through all the paper resumes they receive and video [...]

]]> By: Peggy Fleming http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-345 Peggy Fleming Tue, 13 Mar 2007 06:05:11 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-345 Yes, that's right, video resumes are not for everyone, but for most. With some patience and many tries, and some good friends to give honest critic, it should be possible to create a good one. Also, a good video resume shouldn't only include the video. Instead, it should just complete the traditional application including cover letter, CV, recommendations, etc. See CVOne to learn more on how job seekers can create a video resume. There are some sample videos posted as well: http://www.gocvone.com. Just click on "View a CVOne sample resume". Yes, that’s right, video resumes are not for everyone, but for most. With some patience and many tries, and some good friends to give honest critic, it should be possible to create a good one. Also, a good video resume shouldn’t only include the video. Instead, it should just complete the traditional application including cover letter, CV, recommendations, etc. See CVOne to learn more on how job seekers can create a video resume. There are some sample videos posted as well: http://www.gocvone.com. Just click on “View a CVOne sample resume”.

]]> By: Louise Fletcher http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-341 Louise Fletcher Tue, 23 Jan 2007 23:43:46 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-341 I've tried to be fair-minded about video resumes because I think we all need to figure out where technology is taking the job search - that said, I've come to agree with you that 99.9% of the time, video resumes just won't work. Most people are too uncomfortable in front of a camera to be themselves, and HR folks are looking for ways to streamline their workload, not add to it by watching endless videos of awkward people umming and ahhing their way through a prepared pitch. That said, there is still the odd case where I think a video resume can be successful. That's when the candidate does something interesting enough/well enough in a video resume to actually sell themselves more effectively than they ever could have done on a paper resume. Admittedly it's rare and certainly not enough to build a business around. It's something that creative candidates will do for themselves, just the way they create a website, or an innovative MySpace page, or a beautifuly bound hardcover portfolio. In other words, they wil be the rare exception, not the rule. I’ve tried to be fair-minded about video resumes because I think we all need to figure out where technology is taking the job search – that said, I’ve come to agree with you that 99.9% of the time, video resumes just won’t work. Most people are too uncomfortable in front of a camera to be themselves, and HR folks are looking for ways to streamline their workload, not add to it by watching endless videos of awkward people umming and ahhing their way through a prepared pitch.

That said, there is still the odd case where I think a video resume can be successful. That’s when the candidate does something interesting enough/well enough in a video resume to actually sell themselves more effectively than they ever could have done on a paper resume. Admittedly it’s rare and certainly not enough to build a business around. It’s something that creative candidates will do for themselves, just the way they create a website, or an innovative MySpace page, or a beautifuly bound hardcover portfolio. In other words, they wil be the rare exception, not the rule.

]]> By: Daniel R. Sweet http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-339 Daniel R. Sweet Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:58:07 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-339 I agree that most video resumes...well...suck. That being said, they *could* be good. Yes, videotaping someone is unnatural. However, maybe you're videotaping a conversation with a recruiter or my HR Guy. At some point the camera disappears. Then, with some good editing, you can get the heart of "who I am" and "what I'm passionate about - at work". This, of course, presumes that they are passionate about anything... Dan I agree that most video resumes…well…suck.

That being said, they *could* be good. Yes, videotaping someone is unnatural. However, maybe you’re videotaping a conversation with a recruiter or my HR Guy. At some point the camera disappears.

Then, with some good editing, you can get the heart of “who I am” and “what I’m passionate about – at work”. This, of course, presumes that they are passionate about anything…

Dan

]]> By: Your HR Guy http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-340 Your HR Guy Wed, 17 Jan 2007 06:12:51 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-340 Patricia: I simply disagree. For 99% of professions out there, this doesn't make sense as any sort of work evaluation. This isn't even good for standing out unless you put money into having it professionally produced. Even then, professional production only goes so far in making a person look good on video, they have to have some camera presence. I have a feeling that most video resumes will resemble the professors of distance degree videos. Nathanial: I don't think I am missing the point when I say this is faddish and gimicky. I really, truly mean that this sort of video resume or supplement will only hurt candidates, not help them. If 95% of candidates don't have the knowledge to put together a decent paper resume, what makes people think that putting together a video resume that demonstrates your soft skills is going to turn out right? I am not going to get anything additional from 60 seconds of a video resume. And I guess that's the thing I don't understand behind the logic of them: they should be short so that people can review them but they should be substantial because you should be able to demonstrate your soft skills without just spending 60 seconds spewing buzzwords and looking pretty that will hopefully entice me to interview you. Video resumes might work for the following professions (as pure supplements): 1. Reality TV star (ok, this could be for the whole thing) 2. Local news anchor 3. Actor/Actress 4. ... drawing a blank. Anything else that requires you spending copious time in front of the camera Patricia: I simply disagree. For 99% of professions out there, this doesn’t make sense as any sort of work evaluation. This isn’t even good for standing out unless you put money into having it professionally produced. Even then, professional production only goes so far in making a person look good on video, they have to have some camera presence. I have a feeling that most video resumes will resemble the professors of distance degree videos.

Nathanial: I don’t think I am missing the point when I say this is faddish and gimicky. I really, truly mean that this sort of video resume or supplement will only hurt candidates, not help them. If 95% of candidates don’t have the knowledge to put together a decent paper resume, what makes people think that putting together a video resume that demonstrates your soft skills is going to turn out right? I am not going to get anything additional from 60 seconds of a video resume. And I guess that’s the thing I don’t understand behind the logic of them: they should be short so that people can review them but they should be substantial because you should be able to demonstrate your soft skills without just spending 60 seconds spewing buzzwords and looking pretty that will hopefully entice me to interview you.

Video resumes might work for the following professions (as pure supplements):
1. Reality TV star (ok, this could be for the whole thing)
2. Local news anchor
3. Actor/Actress
4. … drawing a blank. Anything else that requires you spending copious time in front of the camera

]]> By: Tiffany http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-336 Tiffany Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:23:42 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-336 I said it to Animal, and I'll say it to Nathaniel. Videotaping someone is an unfair, unnatural, and inaccurate way of assessing someone's soft skills. For most professions, being able to communicate directly with coworkers effectively is communication skill enough, for many but still not most, live presentation skills in front of a small to medium audience is enough. But you know how most people suck at public speaking? Even more of them suck even harder in front of a camera, because there's no feedback at all and the camera just makes people more self-conscious. And 60 seconds is far too short for such a clip to be useful even if it WERE well done, which most of them won't be. (Clearly performing arts and TV-type positions are an exception, but they're the exception that proves the rule- those are the people who actually WILL be expected to perform on camera or for an audience they can't interact with as a part of their jobs, therefore it's still a fair test for them. But not for a salesperson who will be dealing with people on the phone, via email, and face to face.) I said it to Animal, and I’ll say it to Nathaniel. Videotaping someone is an unfair, unnatural, and inaccurate way of assessing someone’s soft skills. For most professions, being able to communicate directly with coworkers effectively is communication skill enough, for many but still not most, live presentation skills in front of a small to medium audience is enough. But you know how most people suck at public speaking? Even more of them suck even harder in front of a camera, because there’s no feedback at all and the camera just makes people more self-conscious.

And 60 seconds is far too short for such a clip to be useful even if it WERE well done, which most of them won’t be.

(Clearly performing arts and TV-type positions are an exception, but they’re the exception that proves the rule- those are the people who actually WILL be expected to perform on camera or for an audience they can’t interact with as a part of their jobs, therefore it’s still a fair test for them. But not for a salesperson who will be dealing with people on the phone, via email, and face to face.)

]]> By: Nathaniel http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-337 Nathaniel Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:02:27 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-337 Respectfully, I think you’re missing the point. A video resume doesn’t replace a paper resume; it’s simply another tool. It’s often said that hard skills listed on a resume get a candidate in the door but soft skills get them hired. A video resume is a great tool to further differentiate like skillset candidates on soft skills before an interview. You won’t watch a video resume for everybody; just those few that you’re considering having into an interview. Effectively, by watching a 60 second preview for a small amount of candidates, you can draw a better pool of candidates to come in for an in person interview, then make a better hire. I agree with you though that VidRez is a poorly put together site. Respectfully, I think you’re missing the point. A video resume doesn’t replace a paper resume; it’s simply another tool. It’s often said that hard skills listed on a resume get a candidate in the door but soft skills get them hired. A video resume is a great tool to further differentiate like skillset candidates on soft skills before an interview. You won’t watch a video resume for everybody; just those few that you’re considering having into an interview. Effectively, by watching a 60 second preview for a small amount of candidates, you can draw a better pool of candidates to come in for an in person interview, then make a better hire.

I agree with you though that VidRez is a poorly put together site.

]]> By: Patricia http://lancehaun.com/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-338 Patricia Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:36:06 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/2007/01/16/video-resumes-are-awful/#comment-338 It may depend on the industry. Actors may of course want to use video clips; however, video may also become part of an eportfolio in some professions such as teaching or presentation skills. Using a video in place of a resume may be a bad idea, but a clip properly used in an online resume/eportfolio could be beneficial. It would in this case serve as a sample of the persons specific work skills. It may depend on the industry. Actors may of course want to use video clips; however, video may also become part of an eportfolio in some professions such as teaching or presentation skills. Using a video in place of a resume may be a bad idea, but a clip properly used in an online resume/eportfolio could be beneficial. It would in this case serve as a sample of the persons specific work skills.

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