Video Resume: Pros and Cons

A resume is a marketing tool that job hunters use to introduce and sell themselves to prospective employers. Resumes are traditionally written on 8-1/2 x 11" paper but there is no hard and fast rule that says every resume must be presented in this way.

In the last few years video resumes have been growing in popularity. (A video resume is a short video created by candidates and uploaded to the Internet for prospective employers to review.) But are video resumes a good idea?

The answer is: it depends.

A few years ago one Ivy League graduate/Wall Street wannable became the laughing stock of Wall Street when he created a video that showcased his 140 mph tennis serve and weight lifting skills.

But there are also success stories. A political consultant who landed the job of his dreams with a video resume. And a sales manager who swears that his video resume was the key to his job search success. Their new employers back them up, saying that their video resumes did, indeed, enable them to successfully stand out from the competition.

While some employers appreciate this new approach to job hunting, others are more skeptical - in part, because of potential legal ramifications. Employers know that it is illegal to discriminate against any candidate on the basis of race, gender, age, or disability and are fearful that the use of video resumes as a screening device may open them up to lawsuits.

My advice is to proceed with caution. A video resume can showcase great communication skills, creative talents, and personality. For jobs that require good communication, creativity, and new media savvy, a video resume can be a great complement to a traditional resume. However if you aren't all that comfortable or professional in front of the camera, you don't need to use that much high tech razzle dazzle to get employers to notice you.