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Job seekers step up to video

Last spring, college seniors worried about prospective employers using Web sites like MySpace and Facebook to track down any hidden character flaws - think racy spring-break photos and anatomically inspired nicknames.

But this year, Web sites are letting job seekers of all ages take back control of their cyber personae with the latest tool for the career-minded: the video resume.

Eager job hunters are betting the in-your-face format will give them an edge over shyer competition.

For the self-confident, these personal introductions carry the upside of giving future bosses an immediate look at their zesty personalities. But with many going on for 20 minutes or more, they can infuriate harried prospective bosses; some companies never even view them.

Jonathan Boush, a University of Oregon graduate who just finished a stint in Tunisia studying human resources management, said he and his brother produced his video resume in about 20 minutes. It’s a no-nonsense talking head video of him describing his accomplishments.

In March, Boush posted his video resume on a career Web site called Vault, which landed him one interview at public-relations giant Waggener Edstrom. He did not get the job, but
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he did get some e-mails from people who were interested in the video resume concept.

Now he’s holding out for an interview at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, and plans to hand them the video as part of his package.

“I’d like to surprise them,” he said.

The idea of incorporating video elements into a r sum isn’t entirely new. But the huge improvement in Internet video quality and distribution in recent years, largely through Web sites like YouTube, has spawned startup companies that post resumes and interviews online.

Many of these sites - the upcoming Vidolio.com, a hybrid between MySpace and YouTube, as well as Vault, Jobster, HireVue and My Personal Broadcast - say they only have a few hundred resumes up now, but the trend has just begun.

`Impossible is nothing’

In addition to more sophisticated technology, the video resume concept got an unintended boost by some priceless reverse P.R.

Last year, Yale University student Aleksey Vayner sent his video “Impossible is Nothing” - a montage of his sporting prowess including downhill skiing, karate chopping and ballroom dancing - to investment banking firm UBS, along with an 11-page resume.

Someone at UBS leaked the video to other firms. When the video later appeared on YouTube, Vayner became the laughingstock of Wall Street.

But his fame has focused massive attention on the video resume industry.

Randy Bitting, co-founder of a company called InterviewStream, explains his venture as the opposite of an Aleksey Vayner video. He said his software lets job applicants upload an interview responding to specific questions prepared by the prospective employer - not an embarrassing, homemade production like Vayner’s.
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First impressions count in job hunt

Still looking for that great summer job?

Ann Lattimore, a counselor with the Tennessee Career Center in Jackson, offered some tips for getting the job you want and keeping it.

It’s normal to feel nervous about a job interview, Lattimore said, but don’t be so nervous that your character doesn’t show through.
“The company doesn’t only want to know if you can do the job, but they want to know if you have a personality, too,” Lattimore said. “Something about personality lets them know if you will fit into the organization with other employees they have.”

She advises that job seekers do some research about the company they interview with.

“They may ask, ‘What do you know about this place?’ and, ‘Why do you want to work here?’” Lattimore said.

She said people should talk about their work experience, even if it was volunteer work.

“A lot of skills are from non-paid experiences, but they’re still skills you can use to describe yourself and abilities,” Lattimore said.

Job candidates should be prepared to ask questions, too, because it shows interest and could help clarify something that was mentioned in the interview.

“Just don’t ask questions about salary in the initial interview,” Lattimore said. “I wouldn’t until it is brought up.”

If you get the job, staying on the job is another thing, she said.

Here are some of Lattimore’s tips:

# Be on time.

# Personal calls and surfing the Internet should be reserved for your break or lunch.

# Stay away from gossip.

# Be clear on who to report to.

# Show initiative and be willing to take on new responsibilities.

# Be a team player.