Shake Off The Turkey Coma and Land a Job With Video Technology!!

Now that your turkey induced coma has subsided, it's time to get back to your job search! The year is quickly coming to an end and you need to have your new career set for 2012!

So what are you going to do differently that will get you that critical interview? It's not going to happen by submitting your Word document and cover letter - you should know that by now... Unemployment is still hovering at near record levels so you are going to have to think outside the traditional box.

People don't rely on paper anymore - in 2011, 43% of all first interviews were done via webcam. It's time for you to accept this reality and develop a strategy that works for your career goals. If you are unfamiliar with social media and video interview technology, spend some time on sites like TalentRooster or YouTube to see how other savvy candidates are standing out form the pack. Upon completion of your video, think about adding a "click here to meet me" button to your resume, blog and LinkedIn profile. Allow potential employers to see and hear you, versus viewing a static paper resume. Your "elevator pitch" might just make the difference.

When replying to jobs posted on Monster, CareerBuilder and other sites, include your video! 89% of employers revealed that they would watch a video resume if it were submitted to them. Although most employers have not yet used this new technology as an evaluative tool, only 17% have actually viewed a video resume, however the vast majority are open to the idea. These numbers are growing exponentially and it's only a matter of time until every company requires video as part of their applications process. Get this - the primary reason why employers would value a candidate's video is the ability to assess a candidate's professional presentation and demeanor. How many times have you said, "if they'd just meet me, they'd hire me"!!  Hiring managers feel the same way - give yourself the chance! Check out TalentRooster.com to learn how to create your professional video that will move you to the front of the hiring line!!

Comment by Nate Fischer on November 28, 2011 at 6:15pm: Haha Bill I like that one.

But yeah David, unfortunately even the caption says ESTIMATED and WILL TAKE place,how do you estimate something for 2011 while 9 months had already passed. They obviously are referring to the quote later in the article that Kirby mentioned. While I don't DOUBT that video interviewing might be a tool at some point of the interview process, these numbers are a lie, and this article is a marketing piece of fluff gone bad.

Comment by Bill Schultz on November 28, 2011 at 6:31pm: 85% of all statistics are 73% inaccurate.

Comment by Raphael Fang on November 28, 2011 at 6:48pm: Can some one name a company/firm that uses webcam for interview?

Comment by Nate Fischer on November 28, 2011 at 7:12pm: I know for a fact that a few of my clients have, one big university in the Boston area actually does a non hosted behavioral interview that my candidates have had to do, and a number of other clients have utilized a web client to do interviews with CXO's who were either out of town or out of country. Or if a candidate was, but by no means was this "normal"

Comment by Tim Spagnola on November 28, 2011 at 8:55pm: David - sent you a message back...thanks! Since relocation is a factor in almost every placement I make, I have always been a fan of video interview technology. In fact I have even gotten a few clients to use it on my recommendation. That # still sounds high, but feel it is certainly the direction we are heading.

@Jerry - agree with you on video reumes

@Bill your % line made me spit out my water

Comment by David DeCapua on November 29, 2011 at 10:57am: @ Raphael - There are too many companies using video to name them all - just Google the topic. One story of interest follows below. WalMart estimates they saved over 2M in 2011 by using video interview technology. Clearly this technology is the future of the recruiting / hiring process - it just makes better sense. Sadly, the recruiting industry is slow to adopt new technology, which will result is a missed opportunity... WalMart on Video Technology

Comment by Jerry Albright on November 29, 2011 at 11:14am: We have 2 different topics here - and I see no reason to mix them.

Video resumes - David's product I assume - and then the utilization of video during the interviewing process.

My clients don't want video resumes. Sorry - they just don't Frankly - many of the candidates I work with are not quite cut out to be video models.

Now in discussing video as part of the process? Sure. It makes sense. That's what Skype is for.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on November 29, 2011 at 11:47am: Video conferencing and Skype have been around since the beginning of this decade so not exactly new. A lot of my international clients use Skype to interview candidates rather than make a trip to the US or put off interviews until a scheduled trip is made.

My clients request that pictures be taken off of resumes so sure do not want video resumes.

Comment by David DeCapua on November 29, 2011 at 12:02pm: @ Jerry - agree on video resumes. We started out down that path, but learned quickly that clients want to see and hear candidates answer questions of their choosing. We send a link to a candidate with client specific questions, then forward to the client - make sense? Works well for us - maybe not for all. Thanks.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on November 29, 2011 at 12:21pm: I'll never stop asking for a paper resume. That's what I take all my notes on, and yes I use a red pen. Stands out better. :)