Resume coach gives tips. Ann Back looks straight into the camera and pretends as if she is
talking to a prospective employer.
She highlights some qualities that make her a good job candidate,
sharing words such as honest, tenacious, efficient and professional
that others have used to describe her.
She stumbles over a word in the first videotaping and wants to do
it again. Relaxing a bit. Smiling. Her second take is a wrap.
The video resume will be used to complement her written resume
and give prospective employers a window into her personality and
ability.
Getting a foot in the right door
Although paper resumes are still important in today's electronic
age and need to be crafted correctly, they're not the only avenue
for people to spread their name and credentials in landing a job,
say industry observers.
That may be just a starting point, said Carey Dunkin Baker of
Part-Time Pros, a local staffing agency.
"I think there is a place for a paper resume because companies
still want a snapshot view of a person's work history - where
they've worked and their experience," Baker said. "However, most
companies aren't just using the resumes as their one-stop shop to
gather information on someone.
"They are looking on Facebook, Linked In. They are looking on
Twitter, etc., to see one, how technical someone is, but also to
recruit."
To enhance the job search, Part-Time Pros offers job applicants
the option of creating a nearly 60-second video resume that can be
linked with their print resume.
"It gives individuals an opportunity to go outside of their
resume and talk about who they are, the skills that they have and
what they can bring to the table," Baker said.
A video resume shows prospective employers how a person
communicates. It also helps prepare applicants for job interviews as
they practice talking about their skills.
Individuals are coached for their presentation. If they appear
too nervous, they can redo the videotaping or opt to make only the
audio portion of the taping available.
Back hopes the video resume, in addition to her print resume,
will help get her foot in the right door.
She is self-employed and has worked 15 years as an attorney in
private practice. She's interested in part-time opportunities to
contract with small businesses and provide legal services.
"I am middle-aged, and I think it's a new thing, and I don't want
to appear to be past the ability to adapt - because we all have to
adapt," Back said.
"It saves the person who looks at it time if they're not
interested in me ... They can get a lot decided in a few minutes."
Some 60 percent to 75 percent of Part-Time Pros' clients,
including Back, choose to do the video resume. Baker noted that the
average hiring time for individuals who opt for the video resume has
shrunk from nearly eight weeks to about five to six weeks.
Sitting in front of a gray, mottled backdrop, with two lights
aimed her direction, Back listened to a few pointers from Lisa
Johnson, a senior recruiter at Part-Time Pros, before launching into
her taping.
"You're going to do great," Johnson told her. "Don't worry if you
stumble ... It shows that you're human."
Despite what some local businesses say, Back said she thinks the
