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Cracking the code on hiring Gen Z workers continues to elude many employers, who are hustling to attract the next generation of employees with all the finesse of that Steve Buscemi meme. (No, the other one.)
In an effort to lure Zoomers onto payroll, certain companies are encouraging applicants to send video résumés via platforms like TikTok and even Snapchat. While this may seem like the ideal way to court those tech-savvy kids, employers need to beware of the obvious—and plentiful—pitfalls.
You know, for kids! Video résumés have only gained traction recently, largely spurred by TikTok’s touting them in a promotion with several companies. #CareerTok was launched in July along with big name employers such as Shopify, Target, Chipotle, and Nascar as part of a twofold effort. Dan Schawbel, managing director of the HR advisory firm Workplace Intelligence, told HR Brew that TikTok’s goal was to increase the app’s usership and revenue, while allowing brands to “reach and connect with Gen Z for employment and commercial purposes.”
Is it actually popular? Actually, no. In a survey conducted by employment-resource organization Tallo, the overwhelming majority of Gen Z respondents view video résumés unfavorably. Of the 1,500 respondents surveyed, 33% considered video résumés as “very uncomfortable,” while 36% felt “somewhat uncomfortable.” The data suggests younger workers don’t think technology is a workplace savior, especially when it comes to résumés.
Oh yeah, and video résumés are seriously problematic. A reliance on video résumés can be discriminatory for a number of reasons, which include, according to Schawbel: “discriminatory hiring practices, human error, and the inability to fully display your talents in this format.”
Those discriminatory practices were made clear by the University of Maryland professor Cynthia Kay Stevens, who recently noted how social media profiles always include images of applicants, and “can reveal the candidate’s age, race, weight, and level of attractiveness—factors that are more easily obscured in a résumé.” Social media feeds also typically include personal information such as political leanings and religious beliefs, which could, theoretically, unfairly influence hiring as well.
Bottom line: A written résumé might seem like a relic, but your fellow kids should still know how to do them.—SB