Jennifer, today I'd like to talk to you about new trends in resumes. With the dawn of digital portfolio technology, how is this new technology changing the future of resumes?
The two-page resume or CV is beginning to fall to the wayside. With the introduction of online Job boards, and the need for HR managers to get through a large volume of resumes quickly, while staying current with EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) reporting, has made it more ideal to receive emails and digital portfolios. A digital portfolio provides an employer with all the jobseeker's information in a marketable fashion in one neat package.
It's clear that trends in resumes will lean to new technologies. Where does a jobseeker obtain these services?
There are a number of available services for jobseekers. For instance when using Protuo we provide resource sections on the web site including links to networking services such as Linked In and itzbig. But my suggestions for jobseekers are also to go to the Society of Human Resource Management web site (SHRM) and also the EEOC web site. They provide lists of companies that help in job acquisition, new technologies., and new services to help in finding the perfect job.
Does Protuo allow clients to create their own personal application portfolio? How does this work?
Yes, Protuo actually provides a full service for the Jobseeker and it is a free service. We provide jobseekers with the ability to follow new trends in resumes by creating a whole digital portfolio, not just a one pager. Here the jobseeker can brand themselves, and we do it through an easy-to-use technology. Jobseekers can post samples of work, recommendations and awards, even video, though I caution the use of video, due to discrimination laws among other things. A person sets up their criteria and is provided a best-fit match survey which is best described as Monster meets eHarmony.
What are the advantages to submitting a digital portfolio as a jobseeker?
The major advantage is the ability to represent oneself differently from the pack. Digital portfolios showcase a person's abilities and what they can bring to an organization. The resume or digital portfolio is their marketing/advertising piece which provides that ability.
I've heard the term "video resume". Is this the same as a digital portfolio?
Video resumes are not the same as a digital portfolio, though some digital portfolios do include video resumes. Video resumes are media files sent through the Internet. If you are going to use a video resume, have it done professionally, not as a home movie. Also remember HR managers do not have a great deal of time and video resumes can take a while to view. Some companies cannot view video or will not view it because it teeters on discrimination law.
Digital portfolios, are quick and easy to view, they do not require pictures and tend to just provide marketable aspects of an individual showing proven capabilities.
What kind of video would a jobseeker incorporate into their portfolio and how complicated is it to integrate?
It is very simple to integrate video into a Protuo portfolio. It is as easy as a drag and drop of a media file. It is appropriate for certain jobs, such as orators, media personality, athletes, video creators, even outside sales people, among others, but it is not necessarily good for a project manager or marketing person. It can actually hurt a person more then help them.
