Job Search Tool Highlight-VisualCV.com

www.masternewmedia.org/2008/03/

Is the resume dead?

A few years back the video resume took a big hit when a Yale student named  Aleksey Vayner, had his video resume leaked because of the uber-cockiness it displayed. The story was so big, that he has his own wikipedia entry which details his story and the ensuing legal issues between him and IvyGate.

Essentially, no one wants to be THAT guy. However, a new resource has emerged that allows one to combine the elements of a resume with an online portfolio. I chose to review VisualCV because I was curious and wanted to know if this tool would change the landscape of job searching or was just a passing fad.

What is VisualCV?

VisualCV.com is a tool that allows candidates to highlight themselves with old school basics in a new school medium. While an online resume allows one to speak to their education, skills, achievements,  and work experience. A VisualCV allows one to combine those basics with images, video, work samples and links to create a dynamic interactive “resume” all contained via the web. Further, the more savvy candidate can use their VisualCV to market themselves via their blog, their linked-in account, and other social media sites.

Is it being used now?

Since it’s inception this year more and more people have been using it. Hell, even Santa has a VisualCV. Yes, Santa!

Don’t take my word for it, check out the jobwire blog for examples of how candidates are using VisualCV to get a job . Or check out what TechCrunch had to say.

Here is a list of employers who currently accept VisualCV’s.

How does it work?

Beyond some of the details that have been highlighted, VisualCV also allows users to connect socially. For instance, users can not only track how many times their profile has been viewed, they can also track who viewed them and when. Additionally, more sophisticated users can search for the VisualCV of potential clients/business partners to get a quick, concise view of their background.

Pro’s and Con’s

I have started to put together my own VisualCV in order to understand this tool and also to identify what potential pro’s and con’s exist.

Pro’s

• Free
• Relatively easy to set up a basic cv
• Good support (VisualCV is on my twitter list and they do look at your visualcvs!!)
• Video tutorials on how to put tool together or how to use it in conjunction with other tools like LinkedIn
• Employers are using this tool to recruit

Con’s

• Potential for discrimination
• Some employers do not accept visualcv
• User needs to know how to use tool appropriately (essentially takes time to learn how to use tool correctly)
• Some clunkiness with the tool when you copy/paste from your word doc resume

All in all, I think this is a great tool. One just needs to remember that just like a resume, it takes time to put your materials together. I put together a very short list of pro’s and con’s, you may have differing opinions on them and I would love to hear from you.