Applying a visual edge

A job portal scores a first by introducing video resumes on its site. How far will it help streamline the recruitment process?

Hyderabad-based online job search company Monster India has introduced a new facility through which job seekers can upload their ‘video résumés’.

How it works
Video résumés can be uploaded by registered users at www.monsterindia.com in the same way as text résumés. The search mechanism for employers, too, remains the same. “Multiple video formats generated through mobile cameras, handycams or webcams can be viewed on any Web browser.” says Vikas Agarwal, vice-president, product & technology, Monster India. A visual representation lends personality to text résumés and gives candidates a competitive advantage.
For instance, a text résumé may not be able to provide details about a person’s communications skills. Video résumés could also help speed up the recruitment process and cut down costs by reducing the number of screening rounds.
“Recruiters can evaluate how candidates present their skills without preliminary interviews,” says Agarwal.

The target
The e-recruitment space is getting busier as more traditional sectors such as manufacturing, fast moving consumer goods and shipping are joining IT and BPO companies in recruiting through online job portals.
Companies which use these services include telecom company Reliance Communications Ltd, hospitality major The Oberoi Group, drug company Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, consumer durables company Samsung India Electronics Pvt. Ltd, ITES entities such as HCL Technologies Ltd and Wipro Ltd. The new service is expected to draw in a new set of customers as well.

Critics’ view
It is an innovation that adds value to the recruitment process, and the novelty factor—job portals, both in India and abroad, are yet to latch on to video résumés—is likely to give Monster India a clear edge. But some senior executives foresee certain limitations. This service will be more useful for entry-level recruitments. “This can only help in lateral hiring and not for jobs in senior positions or specialist roles,” says Dilip Kumar Shrivastava, head, corporate HR, HCL Technologies Ltd. Even for positions in sales and marketing, the usefulness of video résumés is doubtful. Says Sumeet Yadav, head, retail, VF Arvind Brands Pvt Ltd: “You can’t gauge a candidate’s intelligence and data crunching abilities by viewing a video.”
Also, there’s the question of logistics.
“Their success will depend on searchability. A lot will depend on the usage and distribution of video,” says Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder and CEO, Info Edge India Ltd, parent company of job portal naukri.com.
Bikhchandani says he has been looking at video résumés for a while, but “we are not getting into this immediately”.

Positive proof
Video résumés, however, have the advantage of credibility. Says Subhash Rao, director, human resources, Cisco Systems India Pvt. Ltd: “Puffed-up résumés are the bane of today’s recruitment managers. A video resume lowers that risk considerably.”
Visual samples of work, observe retailers, give a far more accurate picture of the abilities of visual merchandisers, store managers and designers. “This service would greatly help outstation candidates and hiring managers who are at remote sites,” K.K. Swamy, deputy managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors Ltd.
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Source: Mint