Home > Our Publications > Australian Outlook> 2003 > August

A PROSPECTIVE employer can not only see your face, but watch as you discuss your work history and career aspirations on a video presentation over the Internet .
In the labour market version of on-line matchmaking, the recruitment service Drake has introduced the interactive resume to help its leading jobseekers differentiate themselves.
Candidates are interviewed briefly by Drake consultants on camera, and the resulting video can be seen by bosses on-line.
Jamie Levy, the manager of the Drake Top 100 service, said 73 per cent of companies surveyed recently said they would rather receive applications from graduates in interactive resume format than as a traditional letter.
Anthony Banek, vice-president of Internet firm ozhosting.com, employed Grant Field as a business development manager after viewing his interactive resume.
He interviewed Mr Field and one other candidate after viewing 10 interactive resumes on the Drake website, saying he was able to assess their confidence and personalities from the short videos.
"It allowed me to shortlist the candidates down to two in about 30 minutes," Mr Banek said. "With paper resumes it would take me a day."
Mr Field thought the interactive resume was a "bit weird" when it was first suggested but the half-hour spent recording the presentation was less threatening than he imagined.
"It gave me a chance to be myself... It feels more personal, like you are getting a rapport with the prospective employer."