Application Tips: Use Technology To Get The Interview

Use Technology To Get The Interview

Don't Wait for an Interview Request! Send a Link to Your Pre-Interview With Your Resume.

By Felicia Marsh

Updated June 24, 2022. Originally published September 20, 2020.

If you are searching for a job, you probably already know that your resume is probably one in hundreds, sometimes even thousands. How do you get noticed and remembered in that sea of electronic paper? Give them something more.

Besides your qualifications, offer up a digital extension of a hand shake (or fist bump, elbow bump, or whatever equivalent).

Think about it. When you send a copy of your resume to an employer or hiring manager, they will most likely review it in electronic format. This means they are at a computer, or some other electronic device, reading it and can easily access any media you offer up.

Why not use the opportunity to get noticed and put your smiling face right in front of them? Literally.

Including a link to a pre-recorded pre-interview in your resume or cover letter will increase the chance of being noticed and make yourself memorable to a potential employer.

And there are several other advantages to doing this.

1. Make yourself memorable.

As mentioned before, providing additional information about yourself in formats that are unique will make you memorable.

Except in media-based fields, no one is really taking full advantage of video introductions or one way interviews just yet, at least in the current environment.

But it is getting more popular.

By having a pre-recorded pre-interview available for a potential employer to pre-screen, you are proactively taking the process a step further and setting yourself apart from the crowd. Read Laura DeCarlo's "12 Keys to One-Way Video Interview Success" for some great ideas and tips on what makes a great pre-interview recording.

2. Make it easy for them to follow through to the next step.

Additional screening beyond the resume will now require little effort on their part. Now, with a simple click of the mouse, you have given a potential employer much more than just a CV or resume to evaluate your for a potential interview. The more time they spend looking at your information, the better they will remember you.

3. Less pressure on creating a first impression.

With your pre-recorded video, a potential employer will have a carefully curated presentation on which to base their first impression of you.

Your initial presentation of yourself to a potential employer can be scripted and practiced and recorded without the pressure of sitting in front of your interviewer.

4. Steer them toward the information you want them to see.

Instead of relying on whatever information they might pull up in a random search, you can nudge them toward more pertinent information. There are lists of common or recommended interview questions from a multitude of qualified sources that you can comb through to provide a "beyond the resume" picture of what you are capable of.

5. Showcase you.

By all means, show your next potential employer who you are, highlight your personality, and demonstrate your presentation skills. Showing what a great person you would be to work with, how motivated you are, or your willingness to learn. A great story that creates a connection can oftentimes help overcome mild technical deficiencies in your skillset.

6. Less pressure going into the interview.

You have already made an impression and they obviously liked it. You have probably already answered some of their questions. You now have an opportunity to go into more depth during your interview.

Unless you have your own commercial website, consider using a platform such as YouTube,  LinkedIn, or some other widely recognized website to host your interview video so that screeners will feel comfortable clicking on the link.

Of course, not every resume screening will lead to a viewing of the pre-interview. You will still need to make sure that your resume is polished and pertinent when submitted.

It would also be wise to include the link in multiple places, such as in the resume header or footer and in the cover letter, and to make one of those links plain text that it is not stripped out if they are using software to remove links. And call it what it is based on the questions you are answering, like a pre-interview, resume supplement, 'technical' skill discussion or demonstration, ice breaker, or about me interview.

Lastly, it is always a good idea to have a trusted friend or colleague to review your video and give you feedback.

Just remember, represent the best you in your pre-interview.

Best of luck!