During the last month of the course, we were tasked with a project that required us to record a video of our referees and include it as part of an interactive CV/Resume package. I thought it was a wonderful idea and I tried to capitalise on the idea and make it into a business, but that failed miserably for reasons that only Zeus knows why. I did ask around and while most told me it wasn't a viable option, a few encouraged me to follow suit, but it ended up in the pooper anyways.
However, as time went by and while I was studying at the New York Film Academy, I started doing a little bit of research whenever I got the chance to do so. I found quite a few videos on YouTube that talked about how to put together a video resume or a video CV. I have also had a look at a few examples and decided to take a crack at one myself. The video CV was to be a maximum of 3 minutes long and I almost succeeded.
Having given a backstory of the idea behind video CVs and resumes, let me tell you why I now believe that they will or ought to replace traditional CVs and resumes and can be a better option for formulating cover letters:
THE APPLICANT(S) CAN USE WHATEVER EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS HE/SHE HAS TO PRODUCE THE VIDEO CV/RESUME OR COVER LETTER AND TAILOR IT TOWARDS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB
Video technology today is a lot more advanced to the point where anyone can simply grab a camera, record themselves and use any available video editing program that will yield professional results. There should be no reason why any job applicant couldn't afford to produce a video CV, resume or cover letter on the cheap. It doesn't have to be a video camera with all the bells and whistles that a professional camera can offer. You can use any DSLR camera with video capabilities or any camcorder that is able to produce the professional grade videos for the purposes of recording the video CVs and cover letters.
THE EMPLOYER GETS TO SEE THE APPLICANT IN PERSON WITHOUT THE APPLICANT NEEDING TO BE THERE
Because the applicant is recording himself or herself selling themselves with their skills and experience, the prospective employer gets to see the applicant's face and how sincere or how serious the applicant is about the position that the applicant is targeting.
THE EMPLOYER CAN SEE HOW TRUTHFUL THE APPLICANT IS BEING IN THE VIDEO CV OR COVER LETTER
Unlike a traditional CV or cover letter, where the applicant can fabricate facts or their credentials, a video CV and cover letter will show the employer how truthful the applicant is being regarding the information that is being provided using the body language cues and the eye contact projected or given out by the applicant.
THE EMPLOYER CAN SEE HOW WELL PRESENTED OR PROFESSIONAL THE APPLICANT IS IN THE VIDEO CV OR COVER LETTER
They say that you always need to dress to impress and dress for success. When the applicant includes a video CV or cover letter, right off the get go the employer can see how well presented or professional the applicant is as supposed to claiming on a traditional CV.resume or cover letter.
THE EMPLOYER IS ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT HE/SHE IS DEALING WITH A PSYCHOPATH OR A SOCIOPATH IN AN APPLICANT
Based on the demeanor and the body language, the potential employer is able to determine whether or not the applicant in question is a natural born psychopath or a sociopath just by looking at their eyes and of course the body language and the swag the applicant possesses and exudes. Apparently, the psychopaths know exactly how to get the job and how to get the HR department or the hiring manager to hire them into the company. In his book titled: "Working with Monsters", psychologist Dr. John Clarke not only identifies and discusses the character traits of all the different types of psychopaths and the type of psychological wounds that they tend inflict on their victims.
THE DEVELOPERS OF THE APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM THAT THE BIG NAME EMPLOYERS USE WILL NEED IMPROVEMENTS AND AN UPGRADE
When I was applying for jobs, I had no idea that the big name employers were using a flawed system known as the ATS or the Applicant Tracking System, which automatically tracks job applications, and also selects the ideal applicants for the job based on the employer's requirements, no matter how reasonable or unreasonable they may be. Given the nature of the video Cvs, resumes and the cover letters, the ATS will need to be upgraded or tweaked to identify facial features and the voice to capture any key selection criteria the employer has specified. The ATS will also need to be smart enough to determine the sincerity and the honesty of the job applicant and whether or not the applicant is in fact a psychopath.
THERE MAY NOT BE AN INTERVIEW PROCESS THAT THE EMPLOYER NEEDS TO GO THROUGH
Because the employer or the hiring manager can see the applicant, the next logical step would be for the employer or hiring manager to do a video chat or a video call if he/she needs to ask any further questions of the applicants before making that final decision to hire the right candidate for the job.
No matter how you look at it, this could be either a revolutionary or an evolutionary step for the recruitment industry and everyone involved in recruitment. It is an only matter of time before this concept catches on and propagates around the world. Until such time approaches, I guess we all would still be contending with the traditional methods of recruitment and all the generic rejection emails and letters, and the generic excuses that the employer gives to applicants that do not make the cut.
EXAMPLES OF VIDEO CVs (YouTube links):
THE DEVELOPERS OF THE APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM THAT THE BIG NAME EMPLOYERS USE WILL NEED IMPROVEMENTS AND AN UPGRADE
When I was applying for jobs, I had no idea that the big name employers were using a flawed system known as the ATS or the Applicant Tracking System, which automatically tracks job applications, and also selects the ideal applicants for the job based on the employer's requirements, no matter how reasonable or unreasonable they may be. Given the nature of the video Cvs, resumes and the cover letters, the ATS will need to be upgraded or tweaked to identify facial features and the voice to capture any key selection criteria the employer has specified. The ATS will also need to be smart enough to determine the sincerity and the honesty of the job applicant and whether or not the applicant is in fact a psychopath.
THERE MAY NOT BE AN INTERVIEW PROCESS THAT THE EMPLOYER NEEDS TO GO THROUGH
Because the employer or the hiring manager can see the applicant, the next logical step would be for the employer or hiring manager to do a video chat or a video call if he/she needs to ask any further questions of the applicants before making that final decision to hire the right candidate for the job.
No matter how you look at it, this could be either a revolutionary or an evolutionary step for the recruitment industry and everyone involved in recruitment. It is an only matter of time before this concept catches on and propagates around the world. Until such time approaches, I guess we all would still be contending with the traditional methods of recruitment and all the generic rejection emails and letters, and the generic excuses that the employer gives to applicants that do not make the cut.
EXAMPLES OF VIDEO CVs (YouTube links):
- Video CV - Animated CV
- Best Video CV by Mark Leruste
- How to make an effective CV
- Professional Video CV - 2017
