New Delhi: Not too long ago the catchphrase for jobseekers was: ‘Let Your resume speak for you’. Today, in the era of e-recruitment websites have taken this mantra literally by giving job seekers an edge with the “talking resume” or “video resume”.

Considering the popularity of such multi-media based curriculum vitae in US and UK, monsterindia.com recently launched the first free video resume uploading service in the domestic market. And now another jobsite is measuring the prospects of this concept and may also soon introduce a similar service.

While a video resume might not revolutionise the online recruitment in the country, experts say it is capable of easing the preliminary selection process. “The concept of video resume is here to stay,” believes monsterindia.com’s vice-president, products and technology, Vikas Aggarwal.

According to Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the online recruitment market has surged to Rs240 crore in 2006-07 from Rs145 crore a year earlier. During the same period, the number of online job seekers has grown from 6.5 million to 9.2 million. A recent media survey showed that about 87% of recruiters in America would watch a video resume if submitted to them.

Interestingly, it is now a myth that only e-recruitment serves the purpose of a handful in India. IAMAI research says India’s Internet users population stands at 38.5 million and is all set to grow to a 100 million by 2007-08.

Job Search is one of the top 5 key online activities that Indians do online (email, surfing, chatting, search and job search]. On average, Indians hold an estimated 5 jobs in their lifetime as compared to the western norm of 11.

More surprising is the fact that a recent Manpower India study demolishes the myth that the Internet is a medium only of the privileged.

The concept of “talking CVs” is new to India, but it is an innovative way that will benefit both job seeker and recruiter and emerging technologies will be exploited, Aggarwal says, adding that it is the best time to tap on the potential of the technology.

Aggarwal says, in avenues that require presentation skills or display of creativity video resume allow prospective employer to conduct a preliminary screening of the candidates without actually getting involved in the elaborate process of interview and practically evaluate their skills.“By seeing the applicant’s presentation skills online, not only the recruitment process speed up, the costs on preliminary rounds of interviewing will also be reduced,” he reasons.

Uploading a video is no more difficult. Technology has simplified the entire process, and one can record a fine video quite easily even with a mobile phone. There are other recording gadgets like camcorders, handicams. One just needs to design, shoot and upload, says Aggarwal.

But, naukri.com CEO Sanjeev Bikhchandani says preparing a sleek video resume isn’t a cakewalk. he feels some professional know-how is essential. In the US and UK, the concept has existed for about two to three years, but is fresh to the Indian market, so we need to tread very cautiously, he says.