Online CVs expose applicants to discrimination

Online video CVs could represent a danger and introduce new forms of discrimination, an expert has warned.

According to Steve Huxman, chairman of the Recruitment Society, a paper CV is a neutral piece of documentation, while online video CVs could make job applicants who are “not necessarily the most photogenic” vulnerable to discrimination.

He added that online-based CVs could also expose people to bias based on their ethnicity, age or gender and put people who are not the most articulate at a disadvantage even if verbal skills are not particular requirements of the job they are applying for.

“If you are an IT expert, you might spend most of your time figuring out new software but if you are required to do a video CV because they become the standard thing, it is highly unfair on people that are not best presenters,” Mr Huxman commented.

According to a recent report by the Department for Communities and Local Government, within the last five years 22 per cent of people believe they have been turned down for a job because of their age, while 20 per cent believe they have been unsuccessful because of their ethnic background.