Are resumes old-fashioned? Well, you don't see many paper resumes anymore, and resumes are certainly getting more high-tech and Internet based. VisualCV is taking it one step further, offering a free online resume, which is actually more like a full portfolio than a resume, to job seekers.
A VisualCV is an online resume that includes all the facets of a traditional resume, with add-ons like video, images, and links to your accomplishments. Clint Heiden, CEO and cofounder of VisualCV says, "The VisualCV is actually replacing the traditional resume which is an outdated, broken tool. We're replacing this broken, 20th Century tool with the robust recruiting tool of today and the future: the VisualCV. Job seekers need better tools to navigate a 21st Century marketplace where, according to the Harvard Business School, the average person changes careers seven times in his/her professional life."
Presentation Matters
Presentation always matters to me and I'm impressed by the design and layout of VisualCV's resumes. I like the fact that it presents a professional image, rather than looking like a hybrid Facebook or MySpace page.
In fact, the VisualCV resume looks like a typical resume with your work history, education, achievements, and awards. The right side of your VisualCV page can include a video, links, references, and other information you would like to highlight. For example, this example of an architect's VisualCV, includes blueprints. This media professional's VisualCV includes a graph of her press coverage performance, links to her work, and references. Here's another VisualCV that highlights an author's writing experience.
Creating a VisualCV
Register with VisualCV, then follow the directions to set up your resume. If you already have a resume you can cut and paste from that and then add to it from within VisualCV's system. Or, you can start from scratch using the VisualCV resume builder. You just upload the files you want to include into a portfolio and select which files you want to include in each of your VisualCVs.
Privacy Options
Privacy is always important, especially for those who are already employed and those are concerned about sharing information online. VisualCV privacy options including keeping your resume private, sharing it with company members, friends, colleagues, or making it public, so anyone can see it. You'll get a dedicated URL you can share with employers and networking contacts.
Using Your VisualCV
In addition to sharing your VisualCV with employers and networking contacts, you could link your VisualCV from your LinkedIn profile, for example, or your other networking pages, to help build your professional brand and showcase your skills.
VisualCV Social Integration
When you update your VisualCV you can share the updates on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Also, job seekers and recruiters import can their address books from other sites and then invite, share, and forward career information for more effective introductions.
Hiring Issues
One caveat, do keep in mind that not all employers are interested reviewing media and others are worried about discrimination issues i.e. selecting, or not selecting, candidates based on ethnicity, age, gender, disability or other factors that are clear visible in a resume which include photos and video. That said, this is a tool that can be used for branding and networking, as well as for job searching.
Company Information on VisualCV
Companies can use VisualCV to create a branded page, where prospective employees can learn about the advantages of working at the company, explore corporate culture, and learn about benefits. Candidates can then use the company VisualCV page to learn more about opportunities at the organization.
