subject: Job Seeker Uses Free Video Mail to Get Noticed [print this page] Job Seeker Uses Free Video Mail to Get Noticed
Gay Diller knew she had to change her approach during her job search.
Diller, a graphic designer, wasn't getting much response from simply submitting resumes and applying for jobs online. When she met mailVU co-founder Alan Fitzpatrick at a business association function, she learned of the free video mail service mailVU and she decided to try it to get noticed.
"I hadn't been on an interview in years," Diller said. She worked for an architectural firm for seven years before embarking on a freelance design and consulting career. She currently works part-time for a signage company. Recently, Diller decided to return to the corporate world full time, but found it difficult to get even minimal response. Using video email to reach out to potential employers not only helped her stand out to companies, but recording and playing back her messages gave her a chance to see her own interviewing technique, "It helped me realize how I looked to someone across the table."
Though Diller is still on the job hunt, she was impressed at the response she received after sending a video via email to two local companies.
"It seems like when you take the time to send video, people are more thoughtful and courteous," Diller said. Online marketing services company Red Ventures had already filled a position Diller applied for, but human resources representatives were so impressed with her video mail, they took the time to get back to her in person.
Diller also sent a free video mail to retail fabric and craft company Springs Creative. She knew that she wasn't a perfect match for the job, but she wanted the opportunity to talk about herself and her experience.
"It gave me a chance to interject my personality into the mix," Diller said, "People could see my face, my smile and my energy."
Gina Guilliams, Director of Human Resources for Springs Creative received that free video mail. In an email to mailVU, Guilliams explained that the message made a tremendous first impression.
"This video introduction had a lot to do with her getting the interview," Guilliams wrote, "In HR I get so inundated with resumes and reading through them is a very time consuming process. This tool immediately grabbed my attention and made me curious to pay special attention to her resume which lead to her getting the interview."
Guilliams went on to state that Diller's ingenuity with emailing a video made everyone anticipate her interview with excitement.
While Diller awaits word on more interviews and future job prospects, she continues to send videos free to friends, colleagues and clients. She likes the fact that it is free, easy to use and can be set up anywhere.
"Everyone I've shown it to has been blown away by it," Diller said, "I use it to communicate ideas verbally, it's easy to give a quick update and to give more human contact."
That human element was one thing Diller wanted to convey with potential employers.
"It was frustrating because the process was so impersonal no one would talk to you until you submitted an application online," Diller said. As she learned, just submitting an application didn't always garner a response, "I wanted to let them know that I was a person. It has given me a chance to feel like I'm being heard."
