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ONLINE JOB search engine Vidres.net is expanding its services to a worldwide audience in the next three years, opening up opportunities to Filipino workers willing to send videos of themselves to land a job instead of submitting the usual resumés.

Still new in the game, having operated for only six months, the job search engine wants to gain clients abroad, specifically the United States, Europe and Middle East where job markets are limit-less, Vidres Chief Executive Florante F. Cruz said.

The Internet company’s product, which has won a Gold Quill award for excellence, allows job seekers to send video resumés to their target employers. It is the first in Asia where most job search engines rely on paper-form information from job-hunters.

On its Web site, Vidres sums up the benefits of a video resumé for employers: “Through a video presentation, job applicants can demonstrate their communication skills and personality and highlight their unique qualifications. [It also] makes hiring faster and cheaper as it lessens the time and cost, [and] eliminates the initial screening process.”

The site is owned by information technology firm OCean8 Corp., harnessing education and training experts and technology and communications specialists.

The search engine now has a database of 2,000 job seekers across the Philippines. The video resumés of these jobseekers are open to local corporate clients, ranging from call centers to hospitals and maritime agencies.

Mr. Cruz said opening the database to a wider audience is simple “since it’s already on the Web and it’s boundless.” It’s just a matter of tweaking the system to incorporate additional materials for the database, he added.

“We’re going to start partnering with clients abroad, but the management is still thinking if we’re going to do it ourselves or open a franchise. But definitely, the platform will be based here in the Philippines,” he said.

While preparing the system, Vidres is launching several programs in the Philippines to strengthen its database of resumé.

The Department of Labor and Employment recently asked for access to the search engine for its own Internet-based job and applicant-matching system.

Mr. Cruz also said Vidres is linking up with Internet cafés across the country to introduce the system to job seekers.

This “innovative” way of looking for jobs is one way of answering “the problem of unemployment,” he said. “Jobs are very much available but companies are having a hard time getting the right employee.” Mr. Cruz said.

Gone are the days when firms have to go through a number of resumés to find the right worker. Video resumés allow both the employer and the job seeker to cut down on employment costs, Mr. Cruz said. — Ira P. Pedrasa/BusinessWorld

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