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Online video resumes are a bad idea

October 22, 2008 by Joe Hage 7 Comments

Have you heard about video resumes?

I suppose they could help you find a job. I suspect they could hurt you instead.

If you were hiring and HR sent you the candidate’s resume and a video application, would you watch it? Probably. I would.

But before you hit that play button, what would you be thinking? According to a Vault.com survey, 58 percent said they’d view it “out of sheer curiosity.” Curiosity? Is that a euphemism for “source of amusement?”

Imagine you get the job. A generation later you retire. Do you think that video might show up again … over drinks and laughter? Not the kind of digital imprint I’d want. Not my idea of forwarding your best online profile.

My conclusion: online video resumes are a bad idea.

Um, I think he’s serious.

Bad idea, yes?
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Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: online video resumes, theladders.com, vault.com, video application

Comments

  1. Tawnya says

    October 23, 2008 at 7:36 am

    That is hilarious. And it really proves your point. Video resumes – not so good. There’s just a part of me that wonders if the guy is for real….

  2. Pat Thornton says

    October 23, 2008 at 8:28 am

    I call fake on this one.

    I’m not convinced video resumes are a bad idea.

  3. Sampi says

    October 23, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Is he for real?

  4. nilo says

    October 23, 2008 at 8:54 am

    he has pager#…MS publisher, excel, access? can’t be serious…this must have been made in 97’…”I want to THRIVE!” lol

  5. Jiffy says

    October 23, 2008 at 11:47 am

    Joe, “specialization in line and bar graphs”…this is fake. I smell Follies skit.

  6. Resume Docket says

    December 2, 2008 at 2:52 am

    Imagine this: A young George Soros and George Lucas apply for a job in the financial district with a video resume. Who do you think would get the job?

    I rest my case. Thanks

  7. Joe Hage says

    January 19, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Revisiting this four years later.

    I think presenting your content in a compelling video format can help you stand out. I’m all in favor, if it’s done well.

    Still, I don’t believe the video above (if it was real and not intended as a joke), would be in the candidate’s best interest.

    I think a “let me list for you the reasons you should hire me as an employee” video is not the way to go. There are subtler and more relevant ways to communicate your relative expertise.

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