Will a Video Resume Really Help Me Get an Internship?
There’s been a lot of talk about video resumes lately because candidates want to do all that they can to edge out their competition for plumb internships and entry level jobs. But are video resumes really the way to go? Some say, yes while others say, no. A third group would say, it depends.
Professional resume writer, Rick Saia, is not an advocate of video resumes. Some might argue that it’s because the widespread use of video resumes would put people like Saia out of business, but that’s not necessarily the case. Plus, Saia’s stance is fair, balanced and makes a good point. “I believe can do more harm than good,” Saia cautioned. “Sure, a video resume might show more about you than what a conventional resume will, but it also opens the door to bias on the part of the employer. Viewing a video resume can make a hiring manager nervous because it could increase the risk of an employment-related lawsuit.
“For example, let’s say the person in the video resume is an experienced professional in his or her 40s, while the company whose people are reviewing the video employs many 20- and 30-somethings and has a work culture that reflects that younger mindset. Someone who’s older and who might exhibit attitudes of a different generation may get disqualified solely on the basis of that video resume.
“On the other hand, video resumes can be effective if the employer is looking for someone who is engaging and probably attractive. It can work for such roles as actor, professional speaker or newscaster, essentially any role in which the person’s looks and mannerisms will be critical to doing the job effectively,” he added.
A lot of people agree with Saia’s assessment regarding the potential for bias. But others, like international speaker and professional certified coach, David Wood, are straightforward video resume advocates. “Why would we go back to black and white type when we now have video?,” he asked. “You want a job where you get paid for who you are – you’re personality, your style, and your values. By showing someone a video, they can get a much better sense of your energy and what it would be like to work with you.
“A video resume can be very helpful provided it shows you at your best, speaking passionately about what you do. If it comes across as boring or amateurish, it could harm your chances,” he advised. “You must make sure that how you present yourself on video fits your personal brand. Identify what sets you apart and makes you unique as a candidate for the job and highlight your personal passion to grab their attention. Beware of long, boring explanations for what you do and instead highlight your unique skills and passions, with a focus on solving problems.”
Like Saia, Wood agrees that video resumes are especially helpful for people who will be required to speak publicly or on camera on a regular basis, but he didn’t seem too concerned about the possibility of discrimination. If a person is inclined to reject someone based on age, gender or race, he could do so during the interview phase just as easily as he could after viewing a video resume. But here’s the rub: It would much harder for someone to use discrimination (unless something blatant occurred) as the possible reason for not getting the job after interviewing for it than it would be for someone who was denied an interview after submitting a video resume. So it’s easy to see why many employers are reluctant to embrace this new trend.
The debate about video resumes will likely continue ad infinitum. As a supplement to a written resume, a video resume might be just the thing that helps one candidate land an internship instead of one of his competitors, but as a replacement, I don’t think it will ever work. It’s like watching a movie and then reading the book on which it was based … the book is always better because it has more detail.
