Making that first great impression certainly applies towards a video resume. Look at what they see and hear: your public speaking skills, how well you present yourself, how passionate you are when you present yourself.

The question, then, is can they “see” that in a paper resume?

As a video guy, my gut reaction is that video’s great when it’s novel.

As soon as everyone’s using it, your video goes in the pile with all the others.

If you’re just relying on the gadget, the trick, the fact that you actually made a video, I doubt it will help you get hired. Many HR folk make initial judgments on resumes in a flash. Just having a video might get you to the second round.

Then you’d better have a great story to tell. Make a technically impressive video by limiting what you attempt. Talk to the camera in a controlled, well-lit environment. Focus on lighting & sound. Video testimonials from your references will carry a lot of weight. All you’re really showing in video is 1)personality and vibe, and 2)pluck. Unless you, oh, worked at an orphanage for 2 years and have lots of heartrending footage.

Of course, three years ago everyone thought every web page would be swimming in videos. Hasn’t happened, because they actually take time & money to make right. So I’d say treat it like a great opportunity, but make sure your video’s better than Visual CV’s intro vid here. It kind of drags…