Video CV Database

Lisette Howlett at Hirescores.com sent me some information about D7 Recruitment and their video CV database.  So this morning I took a look at the site and then spoke with Angela De Souza of D7

The site works like a standard CV database but as well as viewing the candidate's CV you also see a 60 second video clip of the candidate.  You can see a demo Video CV on the website.  It's free for the candidate to register and record their video.  They can do it via the website from home using a webcam, mobile phone, digital video camera, etc.  D7 are planning to offer a service where jobseekers can record the clip in one of D7's offices and get advice and coaching in creating it.   

For recruiters, it's free to search the database.  You see the candidate's name, desired location, expected salary and job sector along with a brief profile.  If you want their contact details and to view the video clip you pay £10 per person.  (D7 also offer a traditional recruitment consultancy service with 10% placement fee. Video CVs are included in this service for free)

The site only launched last week so it's still early days for candidate registrations.  At present they are getting around 10 - 15 candidates a day registering their CVs.   Currently they plan to cover all sectors and functions.

I do have a concern that Video CVs make it easier for age/race discrimination to take place.  Perhaps even at an unconscious level.  The candidate who takes part in the demo on the site (he's a real person so I'm not going to be rude about him) also highlighted another issue.  He's obviously someone who D7 feel showcases their offering and yet he came across as nervous and stilted (although I did love the laugh he does right at the very start).  I wonder if some jobseekers would be doing themselves a disservice by creating a video CV; especially people with low self awareness (think about those awful Big Brother audition videos).  However, I guess the benefit is that the employer can pick up something of the jobseekers character and where they may come across as average on paper they could shine via video cv.

Comments

[Tom]

But wouldn't that be happening anyway i.e discrimination , when you interview them.
I think the discrimination depends on the individual /industry and job.

[Louise Triance]

Tom

Thanks for your comments.

My concern was around a level of discrimination people aren't even aware of having. I've seen articles talking about the results of tests where the same CV is provided with different names (to show racial discrimination) or revealing age. These tests showed that people have a "gut" reaction when they think they know their race or age. I think in a face to face environment many people get over that "gut" reaction. With a paper CV or video CV you can dismiss the person without giving too much thought as to your motivation.

[angela de souza]

I agree with Tom, the Video CV doesn't attract any more discrimination than an interview would. It all depends on the interviewer, are they the discriminatory type or are they open minded?

The beauty of the Video CV is that you can determine the first impression that you create, you can record and rerecord as many times as you want to get that first impression perfected. When you send your CV or interview, if you blow it you can't get that first impression moment back!

[Laura]

I took part in a Video CV presentation and found it to be easy, timesaving and a creative way of selling myself. I think it puts a better spin on the mundane recruitment process for both job seekers and employers. As for the disscrimination comments, that could happen at the interview stage anyway so whats the difference?

[Robin Hodson]

There is a group for Uk Video CVs on YouTube now. Join it for better mutal searches and get more people in this country doing this stuff!!

http://youtube.com/group/vcv

Shamelessly, this also contains my CV...

[live conference]

it is nice to use and i think that after some time its grow up and user use this digital webcam GOOD LUCK

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