Should you opt for a video resume in 2022?
By Guides

What is a video resume?

In a post-covid world, the world has become hyper-connected. Advancements in technology have revolutionised the professional landscape. Zoom meetings are now the new norm where once they were the last resort. And with the rise in remote roles, video interviews have seen a surge in popularity too. As video format is becoming increasingly prevalent, more and more people are turning to video resumes as a means to enhance their applications.

What are the advantages of a video resume?

  • It’s all well and good saying you have ‘excellent communication skills’ on your resume, but how does the hiring manager know that? The solution to this is the video resume, which allows you as a candidate to fully exhibit your interpersonal skills and provide substance to your claims.
  • As remote roles have risen in popularity, the candidate pool has grown exponentially and the market is arguably more competitive than ever. Video resumes can be a tool to help you stand out from the crowd. Hiring managers may sift through dozens of resumes a day and this can be an effective tool to differentiate yourself.
  • In many markets creativity is an essential skill, but very difficult to convey in a traditional resume. Video resumes allow you to show off your creativity, editing skills and writing skills all in a succinct 60-second video. For those in creative markets, video resumes are a must as there is no better way to show off your creative skills than to actually create something and present it to the hiring manager.
  • Video resumes may one day become ubiquitous in the job market, but in 2022, they are still experimental and considered a risk by many. The risky nature of video resumes could actually work in your favour, and convey you as someone who is more than willing to take risks if they have to.

What are the disadvantages of a video resume?

  • Video resumes are only a supplement to a traditional resume. There’s no way to fully portray your employment history, educational background and skills in a short video clip. Traditional resumes are time-consuming and in the busy modern world, candidates may not have the time to produce a top-quality video resume.
  • In 2022, video resumes are still very new. Including one in your application is a risk and could do more harm than good. Some hiring managers may be technophobes and actually avoid any candidate who is opting for video resumes as they consider it informal.
  • Video resumes are not for everyone. Perhaps you’re more introverted and your technical skills far outweigh you interpersonal skills. First impressions mean a lot in recruiting, and if you can’t fully display your personality in a video resume, it may be best to stick with a traditional resume.

Should you bother with a video resume?

Should you consider creating a video resume for your next application? The answer will depend on a few different factors.

The market you are in plays a huge role in your decision. For those in creative or people-facing roles, having one can exhibit your skills in ways that a traditional resume simply can’t; however, for a more technical role, a video resume won’t add much and could be considered off-putting by employers.

Personal factors also come into play: Do you look good on camera? Are you a confident speaker? Do you have a likeable character that will shine through in video format? These questions may be difficult to answer but are extremely important in deciding if using a video resume is going to be effective.

How competitive the role is will also be crucial in helping you decide. If there are hundreds of other applicants, your chances of being seen by the hiring manager are tiny. A video resume may be your only way to differentiate yourself. However, in less competitive markets, your resume should be sufficient and using a video resume may be counterproductive and even off-putting for hiring managers.

As this new style of resume slowly makes it way into the mainstream, it can no longer be ignored and it may even be riskier to not use a video resume in your application. Whether or not you choose to use one, will depend on a range of factors and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. With advancements in digital technology making candidate pools more competitive, a video resume may be your only chance to get noticed!

At Adapt Talent, we are eCommerce recruitment specialists and we review a lot of resumes each week. We’ve already shared our tips on how to write a resume. Contact us today to see how we can help you find your perfect job.