In order to create a stronger online presence for job search once you’ve established a basic presence, try multimedia-provided you are comfortable in this space. If you freeze up in front of a camera, or if an audio recording fails to represent your true strengths, you’ll have two choices: Practice until you get it down pat, or skip this step. If you are able to add multimedia, you will create a unique and saleable advantage.
There are many options: Adding a very brief video or audio segment in which you give your 30-second pitch on why an employer should hire you is a good idea. You can shape targeted statements that capture the responses to basic interview questions.
These serve as audio and video testimonials to your character and professionalism-and to the authenticity of your responses. To this end, you must be certain that the statements you create capture the essence of the responses you would provide during a face-to-face interview. After all, companies will be looking for consistency. The content you create should then be included on sites that enable sharing, as well as included on your web page or blog.
The benefit of an effective video resume is that few people actually have these, so your video segment will serve as a differentiator in the recruiting process (at least for now).
The best video resumes have several key attributes. These are:
- They are short (no more than three to four minutes)
- They describe the value you will bring to the position you are seeking
- They tell why you are the best candidate for your desired job
- They offer a few insights into your character, ideally in a narrative, conversational style
If you tend to turn into a “deer in the headlights” whenever a camera is pointed in your general direction, then video is not for you. Don’t simply create a video to say you have one. Use this only if you are comfortable with this medium, and don’t post your final video clip until you get it right.
In addition to posting your video to YouTube, you will also want to add links to this content to your social network profiles, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, but be sure to update or clean them up first. The last thing you want to do is create a reason for an employer to become disenchanted with you based on a foolish photo or a raunchy comment on your Facebook wall.
The social media resume has the added benefit of showcasing your ability to navigate the social media space. Increasingly, this is a plus across jobs and across industries. A simple share tool widget is typically available as a part of most basic blogware and website tools, and including such sharing features will enable visitors to increase your presence by sharing out your credentials. This will help to get your resume seen by more than just recruiters, so you will want to take advantage of this.
Some job seekers are hesitant to share their resumes in the social media space. But much of the concern may be unfounded. Top professionals have their bios posted all throughout the online space. They include contact information and have established presences. Aren’t you hoping to get your resume seen by more hiring managers rather than recruiters by adding to social networks? Remember: Visibility creates opportunities
Depending on what statistics you cite, some form of referral or networking plays a part in anywhere from 60% to 80% of job vacancies that are filled. Keep in mind that many great job opportunities are only available through the “hidden job market” and are never posted to the public, it’s easy to see that you’re missing out on a large part of the job opportunity pool unless you are ‘plugged in’ and using social networking when in the market for a new job.
This is even more important when competition is extraordinarily intense as it is today with less jobs all around. So for distinction in a crowded market, multimedia may be your best bet.
