Video CV's - innovative or invasive?
The role of video in recruitment - innovative or invasive?
V I D E O - C V s 📽️
I found an article by the BBC into the use of video in recruitment a really interesting read - you'll find a link to the exact piece at the end of this blog.
Are video cover-letters/CV's the future? I've got some thoughts:
I don't mind the fact that some companies are recruiting without ever having met their candidates in person. In the current recruitment climate I personally prefer a process with a mixture of online AND in-person interviews; I could expend on why, but that's another tale for another day.
Video CV's and cover letters though? For careers in front of the camera or roles including a lot of presentation or public speaking, I can see the appeal of this being 'on-brand' and useful; for most other roles/careers, I'm not so sure.
Are we going to start judging candidate's on their ability to record a video; on how comfortable they feel in front of a camera? Is that what's important to us - because inevitably that is what would happen; and where does it end? Do we expect top notch production values while they're at it? Does that get extra credit towards gaining an interview?
Take YouTube as an example. Back in the day anyone with a camera could post content. It was raw and organic and that was the genesis behind the platform's appeal - anyone with a video camera (remember those!) who wanted to post could post. Now, to stand out in a crowded market it's all about the production value.
Influencers spend thousands having their videos edited and produced professionally to stand out. Does that make their content any more informative?
You can see where I'm going with this. It's an extreme example I know, but I'd be concerned we're choosing who we interview for all the wrong reasons; not to mention the inevitable judgement and discrimination that will come from seeing the person on screen before you make a decision whether they have the skills and experience you're looking for or not.
I like to think of myself as an open-minded person. I'm all for innovation, trying new things, and "what's the next new idea?", but this one leaves me a little fearful for the future of recruitment if this were to become a wide-scale accepted practise.
Have a read. Form your own opinion. The article goes a lot deeper than I can in post form, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
See you at the bar.....
Mark
www.whamconsultancy.com
