Video Resumes: Lights, Camera...CUT!!

Job competition can be fierce and thinking of ways to promote yourself above that competition is growing. Video resumes are becoming more popular in the job market.  But, are there really advantages to submitting a video resume or could it have an adverse effect?  Some say it's not worth the effort and could actually worsen your chance of being hired for your dream job. Others believe they provide an edge over other competition and seal the deal. 

Let's look at a couple of scenarios that may help us understand the difference between sealing the deal and spoiling the deal.

Susan - Scenario #1

Susan is a recent graduate with a love for animals. She is a well-rounded individual who volunteers weekly at the local animal shelter caring for homeless pets. She also volunteers at her grandmother's assisted living facility on Friday nights during bingo. Susan is seeking her first job and submits her application for a job advertised at a neighboring city veterinary hospital as a pet aide. It's the perfect job for her since she loves animals. Susan decides to submit a video resume that includes her working with the "fury children"  at the shelter. She's dressed professionally and interacts with the staff in part of her video also. The Human Resources Manager at the veterinary office reviews all of Susan's information but isn't sold on her experience since Susan has no real job experience. After viewing the video resume, it's obvious Susan is the best fit for the job. Her video displays not only her interaction with the shelter animals but demonstrates her duties and interaction with shelter staff. Susan's video resume was a success! 

Sarah - Scenario #2

Now, let's change it up a bit with Sarah's scenario. Sarah has similar credentials: recent graduate, loves animals, volunteers at a shelter and assisted living facility. However, Sarah has some additional experience working at a local pet store. Sarah is also applying for the job at the veterinary hospital and also submits a video resume. However, Sarah's video is produced in her "not-so-tidy" bedroom and she didn't bother to change out of her gym clothes into something more appropriate. Her video is more of a giggly list of skills or unrelated hobbies that do not positively affect the position she is seeking. The Human Resources Manager reviews Sarah's application and is impressed with her employment and volunteer work. Then HR reviews the video resume and Sarah's experience is instantly countered by her unprofessional dress, disorganized room, and ineffective presentation. Sarah's video resume may ultimately cost her a job opportunity that she would have otherwise received.

Conclusion

While some employers are accepting video resumes others reject them for fear of being accused of discrimination. Laws protect the rights of applicants by not allowing certain questions to be asked on employment applications. However, a video resume provides visual information that could be viewed as an invitation to discriminate. 

Other unconventional methods may serve a better outcome than a video resume. For instance, a personal webpage can be created to  demonstrate a portfolio of design work for an artist seeking a graphic designer position. The webpage link can be referenced on the employment application to provide examples of work produced.

If you are given the opportunity to submit an electronic version of yourself, (video, webpage, etc.) accurately and professionally represent your image - unless your goal is to remain unemployed!


Author Note:  The names and scenario details are purely fictional and are not representative of anyone or any actual life events.

Presentations: PowerPoint Can Satisfy the Visual Crave!

Microsoft PowerPoint has become the standard visual aid used in presentations and speeches.  

This communication tool has also gained criticism due to  poorly created and badly delivered presentations.  As a result, we realize tools are helpful only when used properly.  

Statistics reveal society continues to crave visual content. With that knowledge, let's discuss the pros and cons of using (and not using) visual aids, specifically PowerPoint, in presentations.

The Pros - Accomplish More with Visual Aids

• Make the presentation more interesting
• Enhance speaker credibility
• Aid with the flow of the presentation
• Communicate complex information
• Reinforce the verbal message
• Help the audience retain the information

The data presented in the graph compares retention times of persons exposed to content presented verbally and content reinforced visually. After 3 hours, only 70% of people remember content presented verbally. However, 85% remember visual reinforced content. More impressive after 3 days, results show 60% of listeners remember visually reinforced content and only 10% remembered exclusively verbal presentations.

Further, a study conducted by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. (3M) at the University of Minnesota found that people who use visual aids are 43% more persuasive. The study also found that visual aids can improve communication effectiveness and speaker's confidence.

The Cons - Common Visual Aid Mistakes 

• Animation on slides distract listeners from message
• Failing to look at the audience and reading slides
• Verbal information does not relate to visual
• Appearing too dependent on the visual aid
• Providing too much information

The most important visual aid for your audience is you, the speaker! Never create a situation where the PowerPoint is the main focus and you are on the side, reading or helping the listeners follow along.  Be a presenter not a reader. Great visual aids support and enhance a presentation. 


Finally, clarity is key in the use of visual aids. Avoid the most common mistake of information overload. Improve visual aids by using less words and more pictures. People often understand pictures and images more quickly and easily than text.  Use this to your advantage. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!  

Works Cited

Successfully Using Visual Aids. 10 May 2005. 17 April 2015. <http://www.uab.edu/uasomume/fd2/visuals/page2.htm>.

Undeniable Conference Impact: Using Visual Aids. n.d. Web. 17 April 2015. <https://www.accuconference.com/resources/conference-impact.html>.

Vogel, DR., Dickson, GW., and Lehman, JA., Persuasion and the Role of Visual Presentation Support: The UM/3M Study, 1986

Zuck, Roy B. The Speaker's Quote Book. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2009.

Professionalism: It's Required!

When companies list job openings, they include technical skills and soft skills required of applicants. Soft skills are desirable and include the ability to communicate, work well with others, solve problems, make ethical decisions, and appreciate diversity. Such skills bring a higher level of professionalism to any position.  After reviewing job postings in my career field, I created a list of most commonly required soft skills:

• Independently perform responsible analytic work;
• Make sound independent decisions within established guidelines;
• Work collaboratively and effectively with project teams, internal and/or external units or individuals;
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  
  Where do you rank in soft skills?
  
  When searching for a career, one must determine if they qualify. Technical skills are important but don't forget to determine where you rank for the soft skill set that is required.  As for where I rank with the soft skills for my career choice, I would like to say I'm 10's across the board. While I do feel I score a 10 in the first 3 items, I give myself an "improving 9" for communication. 
  
  Communication should be something that we seek to constantly improve upon since we live and work in a diverse world. Effective communication is necessary in leadership and promoting teamwork.  These are important areas in my career field.  As a result, I actively pursue ways to portray professionalism and improve communication daily.

Plagiarism: What it is and How to Avoid It

Often we are tasked with conducting research and writing reports.  In order to complete the tasks, we search the web to find secondary data sources.  There's nothing wrong with using secondary data sources to compile data for a project. However, be very careful of how that information is presented in your report or project to avoid plagiarism.

Plagiarism is defined as copying or using someone else's words or ideas as your own. While that seems simple and logical, sometimes plagiarism is not always intentional.  

For instance, stating statistics or survey results cannot often be "reworded". To avoid plagiarism, simply state the source of the data and give credit to the author. 

The following is an example of how to cite works for an article on a website.

Here are some helpful links that further discuss how to cite data sources:

• MLA format
• APA format