Get Noticed with a VisualCV Resume

Ron Proctor — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:00:41 +0000

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.

You will have your own URL … here is mine: (http://www.visualcv.com/ronproctor )

The VisualCV resume looks like a typical resume with your work history, education, achievements, and awards. Watch this video for a quick overview of VisualCV to learn why you would want to create a VisualCV and how it can help you in the job search. Notice that the right side of the VisualCV page can include a video, links, references, and other information you would like to highlight.

Click here to view the embedded video.

VisualCV is a free online web portfolio, with a variety of social media type features. When you set up a VisualCV resume you will extend the value of your existing resume to include a variety of other documents. You will consolidate all your documents into one online location where they are easily accessible to employers and hiring managers – no need for them to open email attachments.

You can add sparkle to your VisualCV with pop-ups, embedded documents, images, photos, videos, audio, links to your blog or other online published works, or your LinkedIn and other online networking groups badges.

A few examples if the functionality of a VisualCV resume:

Embed a photo of your last CEO awarding you the President’s Club award last year.
Show examples of the clean, elegant software code you write.
Include your outstanding writing samples, articles, artwork, or designs.
Embed any of the following type of files: .doc, .pdf, .ppt, .jpg, .gif, .png, .mov, .wmv and more.

Other benefits include:

Control access to your VisualCVs through privacy settings, and share with recipients you choose – companies, colleagues, customers, and friends.
Develop as many versions of your VisualCV as you want, each with a unique privacy setting, to share with distinct groups.
Track who is looking at your VisualCV and when.
Share your VisualCV with a growing number of major companies and employers who have a VisualCV presence, such as Amazon, Sun Microsystems, Duke University, Dayak, Perot Systems, and Citrix.
Access the growing VisualCV Marketplace of career services providers – Certified VisualCV Creators, resume writers, career coaches, and recruiters.

Whoever reviews your VisualVC will be aided by real-time, value-add information:

Mouse over companies listed in your VisualCV and they pop up with live, rich data through VisualCV’s partnerships with Standard & Poor’s Capital IQ and Dow Jones’ VentureSource.
Mouse over college names to pop up rankings via exclusive partnerships with Princeton Review and QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
Industry-specific terms describing your experience expand into definitions, with pop-ups from a variety of sources.

OK, so how do you create VisualCV?

Begin by registering 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.

VisualCV as a professional “show and tell” for the 21st century. It brings you, your skills and background to 3-dimensional life with video, images, informational pop-ups and examples of your work

Examples of completed VisualCV resumes:

More information:

VisualCV is not a video resume but you can include video to supplement the basic content of your traditional resume.

Do look professional. Remember, this is the hiring manager’s first impression of you and you want it to be perfect. Try to create a professional background for your video, like an office, dress appropriately, and speak eloquently.

Don’t try to do the presentation unrehearsed. You don’t want your video to become an office joke; you want it to be your ticket to an interview. Write an outline and practice your speech in front of the mirror a few times before recording.

Do keep it short … think about the fact that hiring managers are looking at hundreds of pieces of paper every day. What are you going to show them in your video that is going to get their attention and keep it? One way is to answer questions you anticipate they’ll ask in your first you interview.

Don’t use a video resume as a standalone. A video resume can’t take the place of the traditional resume entirely.

Do include video references from coworkers or managers to supplement the video in your VisualCV resume (See a tip from the WSJ on video references). Including references provides employers a better picture of who you are and what you’ll bring to the company. Plus it saves time for both of you after the first interview. What better way to make a great impression on the hiring manager than to save them time and money?

Louise Kursmark offers her tips in The Insider’s Guide to VisualCV.

Why create a VisualCV ?

Put Your Best Self Forward

Your VisualCV ensures you’ll stand out for all the right reasons by providing your contacts and potential employers with a polished, multi-dimensional profile.

Cut To The Chase

Your VisualCV completely streamlines the job search and hiring process. Use it to:

Provide employers with a complete representation of your talents.
Speed up the process. Interactive web features automatically eliminate research and validate candidates.
Replace the first interview. Standard screening process questions are answered through video or audio files that are housed on the Web.

Ron Proctor's Blog » VisualCV