Job seekers star in their own movies

Part of a pilot program that is the brainchild of Nowra’s Mission Employment Solutions and endorsed by Centrelink and the Department of Education and Workplace Relations, the initiative may be a glimpse into the future when job seekers will be able to apply for a position by uploading their video resume.

Employers will be able to access the videos, doing away with the old-fashioned paper resume and allowing them to make a more informed decision before proceeding to the interview stage.

With the assistance of Meetseeker, an online employment agency specialising in video resumes, Mission Australia IT specialist Brian Homan has been busy producing video resumes for 100 local and 10 Ulladulla-based job seekers who asked to be part of the program.

“We give everyone training before they stand in front of the camera, explaining how to present themselves and what information to give,” Mr Homan said.

“They then go to the makeup department for hair and makeup and by the time they appear in front of my camera to record their two-minute video they look like movie stars,” he laughed.

Business manager for Mission Australia David Rawson said a video resume was far less time-consuming for the employer and could convey more of a jobseeker’s personality.

“This will be fantastic for our jobseekers because it empowers them with additional tools that enable them to actively seek employment,” he said.

“It also gives employers the flexibility to view all applicants at their leisure.

“When the program transitions to the next stage the whole process involved with producing a video resume will become part of the sign-on process here at Mission employment.”

“I’m a bit nervous making the video, but I think I will be less nervous once I go for an interview knowing the employer has already viewed my video,” said job seeker Phillip Smith from Ulladulla.

“It will be like we have already met,” he said.