The resume hasn’t changed since the 1950s. Sorry, calling it a CV doesn’t count.
It’s still just a pencil sketch of the candidate, listing their education and work experience.
But resumes don’t reveal much about the person, their character and work ethic…qualities
that matter most.
Are you hiring a leader or a follower? A problem-solver or problem-maker? Can they adapt
to change? Do they communicate clearly? Will they fit in your company’s culture?
You won’t find those answers on a resume.
Dozens of websites offer a pre-fab template that promise the perfect resume. Just plug-in
generic jargon (‘seeking a position where I can be challenged’) and press send.
Congratulations! You’re now buried in a stack of nearly identical resumes.
So, rather than distinguish a candidate, the opposite happens.
Still, resumes are the H.R. gold standard, despite that 50% of people admit to lying on them.
I get the need for efficiencies. But we’ve handed off personnel decisions to computers.
They scan for key words and spit out all but the round peg / round hole candidates.
That’s no way to run a business. The hiring process has become entirely too clinical and impersonal.
Here’s my take: What if resumes were visual? What if candidates included a brief video, as a supplement to
their resume? Not a recap of what’s already on paper. Instead, it’s an opportunity to show their personality, address
their strengths and articulate their goals. Adding a video component will bring the candidate to life.
Video plays a critical role in virtually every industry. It has transformed how people communicate.
Why not recruiting?
Next: Stop The Hype
Great concept. Video illustrates in an instant how articulate the candidate is. Someone who can make a point and quickly “get to the point” simply can’t be ascertained by paper alone.
Could have age and body type probs??
I suppose. A video also reveals your race. But the employer will find out at some point, anyway.
Hi Beau! I just finished up a degree in International Business and my professor for business strategy had us do extemporaneous elevator pitches — nothing to do with the class subject. He felt similar to what your saying here, candidates are more than a resume and need a platform to showcase their interpersonal skills. I’d love to see career based social media like LinkedIN add a video component for recruiters to “meet the candidate” because it adds a personal touch to what feels like a game of algorithms.