Engaging Résumés with QR Codes
Today I taught the first, experimental workshop on adding QR codes to paper résumés. Behind these QR codes are video introductions, basically compressed cover letters that give an overview of a job candidate’s professional experience, training and unique attributes.
I opened the session at Shenango with a warning that the content was entirely untested – and a QR code that pointed to “Weird Science” by Oingo Boingo (because there is nowhere that 80s music is inappropriate). I demonstrated to the six students – and one Career Services staffer – just how easy it is to scan a code and be taken to any and every kind of content.
The VideoResumes.pptx (downloadable) presentation next walks the audience through shooting, editing and uploading a video intro to YouTube, etc. I had a student volunteer come to the workshop in full suit and tie and serve as a real life example. We cleaned up his recording in iMovie, sent it to the web and generated a real, working QR code to add to a mock résumé.
The attendees loved what they saw, how easy it was and how powerful the implications were. We rounded out the morning by talking about other applications of QR codes like linking to portfolio sites or adding them to business cards, which also went over extremely well. Heidi Friedrich from Career Services even hopes to have the presentation given at an upcoming regional PSU Career Services meeting which I think would be a great fit.
Now, to find more 80s videos to spice things up…