In addition to submitting a curriculum vitae and a cover letter, many companies now ask applicants to send video submissions. A 2021 LinkedIn survey showed that 61% of job seekers believed that a recorded video could be the next version of the cover letter of the old school letter, and 41% percent had already used video as part of an application.
A video can be useful for some roles, especially for jobs in which you have to present your personality or communication skills, e.g.
For many other positions, however, it could create additional hurdles for job seekers and possibly accidentally cancel candidates who would be great, but are not technically versed or convenient in front of the camera.
But why do companies ask for video submissions at all?
The advantages of video settings
According to Peter Murphy Lewis, the Chief Marketing Officer from Strategic Pete, a marketing agency, there are a variety of reasons why companies may ask applicants to submit videos with their résumés and cover letter.
“The first reason is that it is just another filter whether the person wants the job or the internship,” he says. The second reason is the attempt to determine whether the candidate is a good cultural fit. “[Companies are] Try to read personalities about a video so that you don't have to waste time to find out in the actual interview, ”he explains.
While Lewis' company is not the case require Applicants to submit videos give you the opportunity to submit you. In his last attitude, he received applications from around 192 candidates who apply for interns, and most of them submitted videos.
Show your personality
Those who submitted videos were encouraged to introduce themselves, to share their insights into the CEO's podcasts and to explain why they thought they would fit the team well.
“The videos enabled us to determine a little of their personality,” he says.
Lewis described a candidate who immediately noticed due to his video accommodation – and ultimately it helped him to land the internship.
The candidate discussed Lewis 'Podcast, announced his own failures, thought about Lewis' failures and explained why he also wanted to work with someone in a team who had also experienced setbacks.
Lewis said he knew from the video that the applicant would fit very well for the team because the candidate was vulnerable and honest, properties, the Lewis values. “In this two -minute video you could see that he wanted to be together with like -minded people.” The candidate, who was hired as an intern, is now a manager in Lewis' team.
“I think a unique opportunity to do so [include] Your voice and personality, ”he says – things that you cannot always get from reading a written application.
Lewis has commissioned applicants who have not submitted a video because their applications are still noticed without them.
“When we … an interview with you, they were spectacular and we hired them because they brought in Grit,” he says. “Just because they didn't want to be in front of the camera did not mean that they didn't have it … and I would have missed them” if video submissions were the deal breakers.
Disadvantages of video settings
While video submissions offer advantages, there are also some potential disadvantages for candidates. This includes:
Technical challenges
Although video settings can be a great way to present the enthusiasm and limitation of an applicant for a role, a significant disadvantage is the potential for technical challenges, especially if the creation of videos is not part of the actual job description.
Not all job seekers have resources to create a high -quality video. Some may not have access to professional recording mates or suitable lighting, which can make it more difficult to focus on setting managers to focus on the candidates' qualifications. In addition, some applicants may not know how to record, edit or upload a video, which continues to complicate the process.
Lack of experience
Another potential disadvantage are nerves. Candidates who are not used to speak to a camera may find nerve-wracking video incoming that could affect their performance.
A job -seeker, Meagan Morris, a digital strategist, remembered that she had to record a video for an application for the first time. “It felt really strange. I looked at an empty screen as if I was picking up a video and it just didn't make much sense and I felt very confident, ”she says.
For those who are not large public speakers or are uncomfortable in front of a camera, the pressure, polished and well spoken, can be overwhelming. If the nerves are high, this can affect how you communicate your ideas, qualifications or why you are very suitable for the role.
“If you make a video of yourself out there, I think that it is very I don't think that intimate is the right word-but you are vulnerable because you do not get personal interaction without seeing the body language or the reaction of the person you are talking to,” says Morris.
Investigence tiredness
If more and more companies start to require video submissions, Interview could use fatigue and become an important problem for job seekers. Candidates who record videos for several applications can quickly be overwhelmed and lose their enthusiasm.
Over time, this fatigue can reduce the quality of the video of a candidate and hold back the applicant from a strong impression. The pressure of constantly reducing well in front of the camera can lead to burnout so that the candidates are less self -confident and may affect their ability to show why they are the perfect choice for the job.
Morris explains how job seekers now have to adapt their curriculum vitae together with a custom cover letter. Adding the additional step of taking a video may be a bit too much for some.
“There is no guarantee that you will even receive an answer or even a rejection [email] More, and so you start a lot of work without you having a guarantee for any kind of payment, ”she says.
Should you submit a video when asked?
If you really want a position and the company asks for a video submission, it may be best to submit one, as it may be a chance to land your chances of landing.
If you are the only attitude, it may be best to check whether a video submission really increases the setting process or whether a resume and a well -made interview can be sufficient.
Video submissions can be revealing, but you don't want to lose a really good candidate who may not shine well in front of the camera.
Photo by photo parrow/shutterstock.com
