Employers: How to Be an Effective Video Resume Viewer
When it comes to making the hiring process as effective and efficient as possible, video resumes are the way to go. If you haven’t utilized them in your hiring process before, however, it can be confusing and overwhelming at first to know how to go about viewing them. What do you want to keep an eye out for? What are the red flags that signal avoidance?
Although they offer a chance to “meet” the job candidates, video resumes are not the same as interviews. You obviously cannot ask a job candidate a question via their video resume. Maybe the candidate has a great video resume but isn’t able to answer difficult interview questions on the fly. Remember that you are viewing a pitch that has probably been extensively rehearsed and practiced. Also, perhaps the substance of a candidate’s message isn’t all that enticing, but the individual has a lot of charisma and energy. Then what are you to think?
Similar to looking at a text resume, you need to first be aware of your biases. If you view a large handful of video resumes and only select male candidates, for example, then notice this, reevaluate the female candidates’ video resumes, and check for any biases that you may have and not be aware of.
Unlike a text resume, however, you are getting access to both a candidate’s hard and soft skills. How important are each of these to the job position? Knowing the answer to this question is crucial to finding your ideal candidate.
Studies have shown that employers are not always aware of which set of skills influences their decisions more. A group of Harvard researchers have discovered something they call the “likeability bias.” According to their results, most employers reported that they value a competent but unlikeable employee over an incompetent yet likeable employee. When this claim was put to the test, however, the researchers found that employers preferred likeable but incompetent employees over unlikeable and competent employees. The employers had unconsciously chosen likeability over competence!
This research goes to show just how important it is to be able to identify the qualities you are looking for in a job candidate before you start viewing video resumes—in addition to identifying your own tendencies for bias of course. Consider making a list of the characteristics of your ideal candidate as a way to start.
If you haven’t already, start utilizing Jobma’s video resume platform today! Sign up for a FREE account. This offer won’t last forever, so don’t put it off.
