HireMeNow.com, an online temporary and contract employment marketplace, announced today some formidable survey results indicating the age of video resumes has arrived, with more than 4 out of 5 hiring managers willing to view a video resume.
Three hundred human resource and business managers were surveyed in December 2007, and of them, 83 percent indicated they were willing to view a video resume as a part of the hiring process. Sixty-three percent immediately responded yes, and, of the remaining 37 percent who initially said no, maybe or don’t know, 55 percent indicated they likely would view a video resume after viewing a satisfactory written resume. That’s a total of 83 percent of respondents whose hiring decision could be impacted by receiving and viewing a video resume. And, while many respondents had not actually seen a video resume yet, only one respondent who had seen a video resume indicated she would not view a video resume again.
“While we don’t believe a video resume should ever replace a written one, job seekers who add a video resume to their application will certainly have a leg up on their competition,” said Allen Bornstein, President/Founder of HireMeNow.com. “The video resume, which we believe is best used as a video intro, or VINTRO™, lets the job seeker show their enthusiasm, energy and attitude — all important attributes in the hiring decision and ones that cannot be found on a written resume. So, hiring managers can gain a sense of not only a potential employee’s qualifications, but whether the employee will fit into the organization’s culture. And, candidates need not be anxious about creating a video resume — they can take their time, plan their remarks and, if they make a mistake, they can just reshoot the video — a privilege not found in a face-to-face interview.”
Jerry Hogan, Director of Recruiting of Suffolk Construction, concurs, “Video resumes are an excellent addition to the hiring process. By being able to view a VINTRO, I can pretty much determine if that person will fit into our organization before I call them in for an interview, taking one large, time-consuming step out of the process.”
The survey asked respondents how long a video resume should be, and 78% indicated it should be less than two minutes, with the most popular time period recommended being under one minute. Specifically, the respondents indicated that the time limit of a video resume should be:
* 1 minute or less (54 percent)
* 1-2 minutes (24 percent)
* 2-4 minutes (18 percent)
* 4+ minutes (4 percent)
“The desire to have the video resume last less than one minute is not surprising to us,” said Phillip Thune, Chief Executive Officer of HireMeNow.com. “That’s why we call our video resume a VINTRO™, or video introduction. It’s similar to what the cover letter traditionally encompasses: a very brief overview of why a company should hire a person and a highlight of relevant experience, with the added benefit that cover letters never had — personality.”
Popularity: 62% [?]
