The Pitfalls of Video Resumes

As we move farther into the Age of Technology and strive to new heights of technological genius, some of the things that we have accepted as standard are bound to be revamped. One of those things is the employment resume. What was once typed in Times New Roman font on 20Ib paper is now being transferred to video. This might seem like a great way to get noticed by potential employers, but there are several pitfalls of video resumes.

They're Time Consuming

Step into the shoes of an employer for a moment and consider how much longer it would take to watch a ten-minute video resume than to glance over one or two pages of a typed resume. One of the major pitfalls of video resumes is that they take far too much of the potential employer's time, which can mean one of two things: 1) It won't be watched at all; or 2) The employer is irritated, and thus unlikely to hire you.

If the idea of creating a video resume appeals to you, try submitting the video along with a typed copy of your regular resume. This gives hiring managers the option of whether or not to view the tape.

They're Either Too Boring or Too Flashy

The purpose of a resume is to attract the attention of a prospective employer. A pitfall of video resumes is that they're either too boring---just a recitation of what one might find on a typed resume---or they're too flashy, with far too much pizzazz to have any real value. Demonstrating the depth of your skills by playing the drums, shooting hoops, typing a paper and juggling apples will only serve to make the employer question what real value you could bring to the company.

They're Complicated for the Technologically-Challenged

Regardless of how advanced our society has become, there are still hiring managers in the world who don't know how to open their own e-mail, much less load a video through QuickTime or another media player. If you run into one of those bosses, you'll have a hard time getting them to go the extra mile to view your video resume. Again, if you're going to make one anyway, be sure to send along a supplemental typed copy.

They're Deceiving