In the Age of Multi-Media… Is a Video Resume a Good Idea?

In the last few years, I've seen individuals and consulting firms create Video Resumes to tout themselves, or their consultants to prospective employers and clients.

In a media rich market where you're trying to set yourself apart from the crowd, is this an effective strategy?

After looking at a lot of them, my answer is… Possibly, but not likely!

There are a few that I've seen that I thought were impressive and did a good job of distinguishing someone from the masses. However, the vast majority I've seen probably do more harm than good. Here are some observations…

It's difficult to be engaging on video. There are some people that can demonstrate their personality effectively on video. However, most people appear flat, and frankly, boring. Most people are much more engaging and personable over the phone or face-to-face when they are talking to a live person than they are when talking to a camera. Someone looking at a boring video while deciding whether to bring the person in for a meeting will more likely pass. The document that might have a more engaging person behind it seems like a better bet than a video that is already boring them.

It's not searchable! Having your resume document online through your own personal website, or on a job board like Monster, CareerBuilder, or HotJobs can be a great way to be found. Generally, all the words in your document will be scanned when someone runs a search and it will appear when relevant keywords are entered. A video resume, however, doesn't have that ability. No one will find your video resume, where you talk about your skills with Oracle software, by entering "Oracle" in a search field. A video has very limited value if it's not as widely seen.

It's more difficult to customize. As important as it is to tailor your resume for each opportunity you pursue in order to connect the dots for the potential employer, it's much less likely to be done if an entirely new video has to be reshot in the process. It's much easier, and more likely to be done, with a document that only needs some simple editing.

Viewers are more interested in answers to questions they asked than ones they didn't. Invariably, a video resume addresses questions that the viewer may, or may not, be interested in. They are far less likely to be interested in listening to irrelevant information. However, are forced to listen to it, impatiently, if they still want to hear more. Or they may simply turn it off if they don't. In a resume document, they can simply scan further down quickly. In a video, it's more difficult. When you create a video, you have no way of knowing what they want to hear, and what they don't.

While a video resume seems like a leading-edge idea that could set you apart, it can also more quickly derail their interest in you if the video is a dud. If you try it, be very self-critical and use it cautiously!

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Interview (not so) Common Sense!

Over the course of 25 years as a recruiter I've interviewed thousands of people. Beyond that, I debrief with my clients after they interview candidates and get their feedback and impressions as well.

Although there is an occasional "new one" I've never encountered before… most of the time candidates make the same mistakes, usually without even realizing what they're doing is a problem, or realizing that they are creating a negative impression. Remember, right from the start, you're being evaluated.

Often, issues are minor or subtle, but why create an issue when it's not necessary?! Here are some observations to consider before your next interview…

First impressions count… a lot! Those first few seconds when you meet the interviewer can make a world of difference in the outcome of the meeting. Based on that first impression, you will either be working the rest of the interview to overcome a bad one, or get the benefit of the doubt on any blown answers because you created a positive one. And you're not likely to know which it is!

How do you look? Dress, composure, neatness, and polish can create a very positive first impression. Is your hair neatly combed? Are you dressed too flashy or inappropriately? (conservative dress is always better than flashy); Are you wearing khakis or jeans to a formal business environment? Are you sitting or standing straight, or overly slouching? Are your shoes clean and polished? Are your pants, shirt, coat or skirt or blouse neat and pressed, or overly wrinkled? Do your clothes fit properly or are they too tight, too loose, too short, or too long? Are you wearing too much makeup, hair gel, perfume, or cologne?

How do you greet them? Is your handshake too firm or too limp? (a big factor for men AND women); Are you too loud or do you mumble? Are you too informal with them? Do you mispronounce their name? Are you too serious or are you exuding a warm smile?

All of these things make an enormous difference in how they perceive you right off the bat!

Turn down the drink! When arriving for an interview, or when the interviewer is walking you back to their office, it's very common that someone might offer you something to drink; a glass of water, coffee, or pop. It's generally best to politely let them know you're fine and don't need it. Why? For multiple reasons…

• They usually ask to be polite, but don't particularly want to go to the trouble to get it for you.
• You're probably somewhat nervous already, and creating a situation that makes you need to go to the restroom during the interview won't help.
• Many people end up fidgeting with the cup or pop can to the point of distraction.
• There's always a possibility of spilling it, on you, on the floor, or on their desk. Don't go there!

Be professional, yet natural! Often, people either sit too relaxed, or too stiff. Sliding down in your chair and crossing your legs with one knee over the other, may be appropriate, or it may seem lazy and overly casual. Depending on how far you slouch and the interviewers subjective opinion. Sitting straight as an arrow and crossing your legs with your ankle on your knee, may be appropriate, or it may seem like you are very nervous and uncomfortable. Sitting with your feet on the floor or one knee over the other, reasonably straight and slightly leaning forward can appear alert and engaged. Practice in front of a mirror to find what works best for you, but how you sit makes a very distinct impression.

Be friendly! It's not just your skills that matter, rather, they are looking for the complete "package". In addition to evaluating whether you can do the job, they are deciding whether they would like spending 8 hours a day with you! If you're too stern in your discussion with them, or exhibit a bad attitude, or complain about previous co-workers, managers, or companies, they are not likely to warm up to you when it comes to personal considerations. Without being overly gregarious or cracking jokes, discussing the job and your skills in a warm, comfortable, and upbeat manner will go a long way toward building a relationship.

Brevity is a virtue! While you definitely don't want to give one-word answers to their questions, or answers that are so short they are always looking for more… you definitely don't want to give answers that are far too long. Usually people do it because they aren't sufficiently prepared for the questions being asked, so they ramble on until they think they've covered every aspect of it. Preparation by writing out answers to commonly asked questions and practicing them at home will help you give succinct and effective answers in the interview. Don't try their patience by being too long-winded!

Have questions! It surprises me how often people near the end of an interview, and when they are asked if they have any questions, they say "No"! Not having any questions makes you appear uninterested, having a lack of curiosity, or not being too bright… or… all of the above! ALWAYS have questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Have several more questions prepared than you will be able to ask, so that if some of them were already discussed you're not rehashing old ground. Always follow up with some questions.

Although most people "know" these points, they are still the most common issues in most interviews. Be sure the next time you have an interview scheduled, you think through, prepare, and plan your moves in advance.

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Struggling to improve your job search? Maybe you need visuals!

YouTube can be a great place to see funny, interesting, and sometimes inspiring videos. It can be a great resource for your professional growth as well! In addition to the more frivolous items, there are countless videos for serious topics including help for an effective job search.

I'm a great fan of written material and believe there's a wealth of great material in books, magazines, websites, and blogs (like this one). However, I certainly understand that some people are wired to learn better through seeing and hearing, and video can be a great help in that way.

YouTube has some terrific "channels" of people that do great work in presenting job search topics in effective and interesting ways. I don't have any videos posted, as I have a perfect face for writing… not video! Here are a few, that have faces made for video… that I'd recommend:

Peggy McKee, the MedSalesRecruiter has an excellent series of short videos on an effective sales interview. She covers other job search aspects as well, however, interview advice is definitely her forte. Most of her advice applies to interviews for any type of position.

Catherine Byers Breet, and her company Arbez has a great series of video presentations on effective resumes. She's engaging and has a great perspective on what makes a resume work.

Dr. Daphne provides advice on how to effectively pursue and gain Federal Jobs. With a series of videos that give step-by-step instructions you can learn how to gain the government job you desire.

Grace Kutney's SweetCareers provides terrific advice and resources for the entry-level candidate and those who are earlier in their careers. She gives solid advice and is engaging as well.

and finally… J.T. O'Donnell and her organization Careerealism has a strong library of videos on their YouTube channel that cover virtually every aspect of a successful job search. They are entertaining and highly effective.

If you are someone that absorbs more from visual media, then definitely check out these YouTube channels for great advice!

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Quora and Your Job Search

Quora.com …you probably haven't heard of it. It's still relatively early in its growth. However, I believe it will become very significant and it can be a great place to learn, contribute, and gain knowledge and valuable exposure in your job search.

What is it? It's a site developed by former Facebook executives. According to their own "About" page:

"Quora is a continually improving collection of questions and answers created, edited, and organized by everyone who uses it."

While there are other sites that essentially do the same thing… Yahoo! Answers, for example, I believe Quora is unique in the level of professional and expert responses you encounter. Ask a question regarding an Engineering challenge, and it's not unlikely to get an answer from a Chief Engineer at Motorola or Intel. Ask a question regarding start-ups, and you're likely to get a response from a Venture Capital expert. Ask questions about Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or virtually any other successful site, and you're just as likely to get an answer from a Senior Executive from one of those organizations as you are from a power user.

Questions are asked about virtually any topic under the sun. However, at least so far, questions lean toward professional, and business oriented topics.

So… Great… but what's that got to do with your job search? Here's what:

It's a great place to see… Have questions about trends or changes in your field or industry as you pursue opportunities? Have questions about a specific company you are pursuing? Want to know which of your skills are of most interest to hiring managers? Here's the place to ask and get truly expert answers. 

…and be seen! Do you have knowledge or expertise in topics that could be of value to others? Scroll through open questions by others under relevant topics to your knowledge and give answers as well. With each answer you give, you build credibility among others and enhance your overall online reputation.

Google loves it! In your job search today, it is highly likely that somewhere in a hiring process, someone at the company you are pursuing will Google your name to see what they find. It's critical to guard your online reputation. Will they find drunken pictures of you on MySpace? Better… find expert answers you've given on Quora related to your field. I'm certainly no Search Engine Optimization (SEO) expert, however, I noticed that my Quora profile and answers began appearing very quickly on my Google search results. Whether or not you already write a professional blog to enhance your online reputation, this is another way to improve it quickly.

Quora vs. Twitter I'm already professionally active on Twitter, what's the difference? There are a couple of significant differences where Quora can be a great addition to your Twitter activity. Twitter limits your posts to 140 characters. As much as that makes you concise… it's difficult to convey complex ideas in that space. You may link out to an external article, IF you have a blog or other site you write. However, Quora allows you the space to give your response in full, AND, you can link that response in a "Tweet" on Twitter. Secondly, although there is a lot of professional activity that takes place on Twitter, the predominant reputation of Twitter is of fluff and as a time-waster. Quora, at least so far, has a far more professional reputation, and your input there is likely to be more highly regarded (think… MySpace vs. LinkedIn).

The site is not extremely intuitive… at least for me. It can be somewhat difficult to figure out how to find things and how to get plugged in. The HELP sections are useful. However, it's definitely worth taking the time and figuring it out in order to become active on the site.

Check it out… and get plugged in. It can be a tremendous resource for you professionally and in your job search!

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Customize Your Ride (Resume)!!!

Job Seekers often hear that they should tailor, modify, or customize their resume for each job opportunity they pursue. However, very few ever do.

Is it really worth all the trouble? Will it make a difference?

I don't want to misrepresent my experience!

Isn't it "gaming" the system?

I have all my experience on there, they can find what they need!

I spent weeks getting my resume perfect, I don't want to change it now!

These objections, and more, are what I hear when people tell me they don't do it. So… is it really worth the time and the effort? YES!

Here's why, and how to do it well…

You only get a peek! When you submit a resume for a position, generally they only give it a peek… well OK, more than a peek, but not much more. Generally, if someone looks at your resume at all, they will scan it for only 15 to 30 seconds before they make a decision to pursue you further or not. They have a lot of resumes to get through and don't have time to dawdle. You can get a better understanding of the process by reading: "The job application process… and how to break through!"

Dot – Dot – Dot! If, in that quick scan, they cannot easily connect the dots between your experience and the requirements… they simply won't follow up! They have plenty of other resumes to consider and are trying to get the pile down to only a few. They are more than happy to be able to disqualify yours rather than have to work to see the connection.

Generics won't cut it! It's impossible to write one generic resume that represents you most effectively for a variety of positions that you might apply to. If you don't help them easily see the specific experience you have related to their open position, they will simply say "NEXT"!

So… how do you tailor it? Do you need to re-write your whole resume each time?

Of course not… here are some ideas…

Use their words, not yours! Read the job description closely and make sure to use their terminology in your resume as much as possible. If, in your last position, your title was a "Senior Business Analyst" even though your responsibilities were of a "Project Manager" (very common), be sure when you apply to "Project Manager" roles, you use the words "Project Manager" prominently in your resume. If they use the same software that you used, but they call it something else, make sure you use their name for it in your resume as well. Make it easy for them to see the match.  Furthermore…

Make it scream! Use bold fonts to emphasize the specific matching requirements from their job description. If the job requirement includes PL/SQL programming for Oracle applications you could have:

- 5 years experience developing Oracle Applications using Oracle Discoverer, PL/SQL, and other tools.

Or you could have:

-5 years experience developing Oracle Applications using Oracle Discoverer, PL/SQL, and other tools.

In a quick scan, which will likely help the reader see the match more easily???

Shuffle the deck! Typically, a resume may have several bullet points under each job heading, listing the specific responsibilities and accomplishments you've had. It's easy to rationalize that your most relevant experience is on the resume. However, if it's listed as the 4th bullet point out of 7 it's simply not likely to get noticed. When scanning a resume, the reader will look most closely at the first couple of bullet points and barely glance at the rest. Make sure your most relevant bullet points are at the top of the list!  Furthermore, keep additional bullet points handy! You may only use 4 or 5 in each resume, but it may be a different 4 or 5 depending on the specific requirements of the position you are pursuing. Use the ones that are most relevant to the job you are applying to.

You certainly never want to misrepresent your experience or primary responsibilities. If someone sees multiple versions of your resume, they should never get a sense that you were deceiving them. However, you certainly do want them to quickly and easily see the most applicable skills and experience you have related to the open position. Don't make them have to search for it! It's up to you to make it as obvious as you can.

Take the time to Customize Your Ride for each job application and you'll start seeing better results!

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