Temp Agency uses video "cover letters" for their candidates

[Watercolors]

So, today I went to a temp agency to register with, and after the typical 2 hour interview process, the recruiter had me follow a script outline, to create a 1-2 minute video "cover letter" that her agency posts on a website that their clients can access.

 

After I created my video, much to my chagrin, THERE WAS NO AUDIO.

 

Their IT dept couldn't determine what caused it and what's worse, they couldn't remove my video. So, there I am, for their clients to watch me bob my head around for 2 minutes, while I talk about my work background.

 

So, I'm totally embarrassed. But, I'm hoping that audio gaff works in my favor and clients contact this agency about me to find out what my story is...a story with audio.

 

Do these video cover letters even work with prospective employers? Do any of you hiring managers out there use video cover letters when you're hiring? Technology has reached light speed. I still write my address on my resume and was told not to do that anymore. Also, to remove the dates of my college graduation from my resume. Clearly, I need to catch up.

 

Also, on a side note, another agency I reached out to that I used this summer, got me a job interview next week, for another front desk role. Yes, yes, I know it's probably something I'm overqualified for, but I need a job, so that while i look for my "ideal" job, I have income at least. I don't know how this interview next week will pan out, but I'm hoping it pans out to me being hired.

Edited October 18, 2019 by Watercolors

[alphamale]

those "videos" are so that clients can see if you are white, brown or black and also so they can estimate your age

[Watercolors]

Uh-oh that doesn't sound good. Luckily, I look 20 years younger than my actual age.

Edited October 20, 2019 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[schlumpy]

I've been bounced a few time and told I was over qualified. I guess it can be construed as a compliment but not when I needed a job.

 

I'm convinced that even though many people will claim that they wrote their own ticket to job success most had help form family and friends or were just in the right place at the right time.

 

A silent video? Murphy's law is alive and well.

 

Would you consider moving to where there is more opportunity?

 

Good luck with your job search.

[Watercolors]

@schlumpy...

 

It's a sign from the universe isn't it?

 

To silence me from promoting myself for jobs I'm totally over-qualified for. I can just imagine the universe as a frustrated mentor, wringing their hair with their hands, exasperated with the fact that I won't pursue jobs (due to lack of confidence, lack of professional networks, lack of direct job experience) that I'm much better suited for. So, the universe cut the audio to my video. Hahaha!

 

Schlumpy you're awesome. Great minds think alike.

 

I get it universe. I get it.

 

I still need a damn job though.

 

No, I can't move anywhere. I am practically homeless right NOW, as my roommate has allowed me to stay through the end of November before I have to move out.

 

To move anywhere Schlumpy, I lack the necessities:

 

*income

*savings

*people willing to take me in (no, my family won't, so no judgment please; and no, the people I'm acquainted with won't)

*a job waiting for me

 

I have to do this the hard and long way. I have to take a job I'm overqualified for, while i save money, move out of my roommate's place, finish my graduate program (no, its not applicable to a specific job industry my masters is a general one), and hope I can find and establish myself in a professional networking setting after work hours (probably a happy hours network group through Meetup or something like that), that leads me to the job I deserve to have, rather than the job I need to get to the job I deserve to have.

Edited October 20, 2019 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[FMW]

That seems really unprofessional of the temp agency. If they aren't able to manage the technology (at the very least remove the video) they shouldn't be using it.

 

Sending some good luck thoughts your way!

[Watercolors]

@Finding my way....

 

Yes I agree Finding my way. It feels like career sabotage to me. I emailed the recruiter to let her know I'd stop by the office this week to rerecord my cover letter video there at the agency, and upload it to their agency's website afterward.

 

I feel weird about doing it. Like, now I'll be discriminated against by prospective employers for my gender, my race, my age, my physical appearance.

 

Video cover letters are just an awful idea. I shouldn't have agreed to do it.

 

And thanks for your well wishes! I hope I can snag a good job!

Edited October 20, 2019 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[Art_Critic]

those "videos" are so that clients can see if you are white, brown or black and also so they can estimate your age

 

or to put it another way the first step in filtering out the people who won't fit the position or into your environment, I'm sure some people hire skin color but the majority of us don't.

 

Years ago when job applicants were a dime a dozen and you would get hundreds of resumes so we implemented a 1800 number phone filtering system as the first step.

In the ad we would have them submit their resume and then call a number and answer 3 questions, very generic questions and we would use those answers to trim down the applicants and then we used to have a group interview on the next round and then work that down to 2-3 people who fit the best..

 

We don't do that now since in this new economy job applicants are pretty rare.. the last position I had it took me months to fill it and I only had 12 or so people apply and only a few worth interviewing.

 

I think the OP should cancel the the account and recreate the video or just forget it.. I have a tough time believing they can't replace the video..

[Watercolors]

@Art_Critic....

I still think it's rather strange to judge someone by their video that's 1-2 minutes in length because it's not a full representation of the person.

 

Sounds like you really went to great lengths with the 800 number to filter people out. Ah, the 80s and 90s. That had to be so time consuming to listen to hundreds of people's voicemails and write down their answers.

 

I got the last job that fired me from LinkedIn. So, if this temp agency cover letter video invention backfires on me, at least I have LinkedIn as a prospective job resource.

 

The other temp agencies that I belong to, don't use the video cover letter thankfully, so I will definitely reach out to them again. The problem is that they all go after the same clients, so if I'm presented by 3 different agencies to the same client that will definitely backfire on me too.

 

When I go back to that temp agency this week I will ask them to delete my video that has no audio. I'll have to redo it, if I want to get those job interviews for those direct hire positions, so I will just redo my video.

Edited October 20, 2019 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[Ellener]

I have taken a side-gig job when I was looking I signed up with Indeed.com and they have sent me literally hundreds of jobs since ( I am in job-rich area ) via emails with links.

 

Good luck!