News You Can Use: Video resumes land on the cutting room floor

[IMGCAP(1)]Employers advocate that potential new hires develop a Web presence, but video resumes aren't the way to catch their interest, states new research from Robert Half International.
Just under a quarter (24%) of employers surveyed says that their companies accept video resumes. More than half (58%) say that they do not, and 18% were unsure.

"Before submitting a video resume, job candidates should check with the hiring manager to ensure the company does not have a policy against their use in evaluating candidates," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Job Hunting For Dummies.

Employers fear discrimination claims that might result from viewing candidate's personal information in video format, Messmer says.

"Writing error-free resumes targeted to each job opening, crafting customized cover letters that succinctly explain why you are the right person for the position and maximizing every opportunity to network with others in your field can often be the most effective strategies for getting hired."

The survey consisted of interviews with 150 senior executives from the nation's 1,000 largest businesses.

What do you think? We covered this topic in an October, 2007 article, and many of those interviewed seemed to think that video resumes were a positive addition to recruiting tools. Check out the article, "Ready for their close up" and let us know your thoughts by commenting on this piece.