To YouTube, or Not To YouTube...
Posting a video resume on YouTube - a good idea or career suicide?
Although the practice is still in its infancy, job-seekers are starting to post video resumes on the Internet to supplement their applications. Is this just a fad? Another trend in the growing world of online entertainment through the medium of video? Would posting a video resume online really increase the probability of landing the next job? FreeCareerSearch.com gives you the pros and cons of broadcasting video resumes to the world:
Top 3 Reasons to Post Your Video Resume on YouTube
You are applying for a job with a large number of candidates.
Large corporations, big agencies and conglomerates are literally inundated with resumes. Cube-farms of human resource employees filter through job applications all day, every day. The competition is stiff. If you do not have a foot in the door, or know someone in the industry, a video resume might set you apart from the herd.
You are applying for a job in the Marketing or Creative field.
Advertising, marketing and public relations jobs are hot. Recruiters are looking for personable, friendly, and creative minds that fit the dynamic of their established teams and company's mantra. What better way to showcare yourself through the medium of video. Recruiters in the creative field love it. Instead of having to make all of the preliminary phone calls, they can sit through two minute clips of video and make the decision on whether or not that person is ready to come in for an interview.
Your qualifications are not up to par.
Let's admit it - often times we apply for jobs that are a bit "out of our league." However, a video resume portrays a certain level of dedication and ambition that is hard to come across on a paper application. In these circumstances, tailor your YouTube video resume to the specific job you are applying for. Do your homework. Study the company's mission statement. Voice in your video how you fit their company's goals and direction, explain why. This added effort will catapult your chances of landing the job, even if you're qualifications are lacking
Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Not Post Your Video Resume Online
You could be the next Aleksey Vayner.
Aleksey Vayner witnessed his career-aspirations spiral out of control while his name became synonymous with ridiculousness and foolishness after his video resume sabotaged his career. Vayner, a Yale University student who applied for an investment banking job with Swiss bank UBS AG, posted his video resume entitled, "Impossible is Nothing." He was featured lifting weights, showing off his lack-luster tennis serve and ballroom dancing. From an outsider's perspective, we admit, it was funny. Not for Vayner. He didn't get the job and most likely will have trouble finding any employment for some time.
You're applying for a job in the technology industry.
A video resume is not going to boost your chances of scoring your next IT job. Recruiters are less concerned with you're ability to market yourself and more concerned with your ability to keep a company's network up and running. Bottom line: Don't waste your time if your career goals do not deal with working directly with the public or consistent peer-to-peer interactions.
It's a one-way, scripted, stream of interaction.
Anyone that has watched MTV's Real World can see that the producers are trying to disseminate a certain entertainment message for TV viewers. Video resumes are somewhat the same. You're portraying yourself the way you want to be seen while captivating recruiters by informing them on your skills. Job-recruiters realize that you have edited, edited and edited some more in efforts portray yourself in the most positive light. You've memorized a script - a monkey can do that, and although monkey's are surely taking over the work force, do not subject yourself to looking unprofessional by posting a video resume.
There you have. The good, the bad and the ugly. Hopefully this guide will help you in determining whether a video resume is a good alternative for your path to career domination.
