Geo recently sat down with one of our partners, Tom Lipczynski who runs Vpply to discuss how his company is shaking up the world of recruitment through video job applications and the value for tradies to get involved. 

Hi Tom, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions today. So tell us a bit about Vpply and why tradies might find it useful?

Thanks, it’s a pleasure to be here. So, Vpply is all about making it easier for businesses and job seekers to connect in a personable, professional and fast way through video to see if they’re a good fit for each other. It can be a little soul destroying going through the motions with the usual resume and cover letter, which is one of the reasons why I started Vpply – to use technology to address the lack of human connection in the first stage of the hiring process.

Tradies are often out working in the community. A lot of work is found via word of mouth and who they know. They are also time poor and don’t like to beat around the bush too much. With a video profile on Vpply, it’s a case of what you see is what you get. Unlike a resume and a cover letter where it can be harder for an employer to find the right candidate.

So one of the benefits for tradies using Vpply is that they are using a platform that’s more attuned to their natural way of engaging with the people in their networks – whether that is workmates, family or friends. They don’t have to solely rely on a written cover letter and resume which takes a lot of time to prepare as well.

And how exactly does Vpply work? What’s the process?

Through our website, job seekers can search for jobs in the way they would on a traditional job board however when they reach the apply page they are guided towards making a 60-90 second video application. It is also possible to create a profile on Vpply with an attached video.

Employers can create custom profiles, list jobs as well as tag search keywords. Depending on the package they choose, they can also have unlimited access to our job seeker database and get additional support through strategy and planning meetings.

Can you unpack a few more benefits of using Vpply for employers and jobseekers?

Sure, so employers have a faster way to gauge if a jobseeker fits the job, which leads to faster hires. Vpply focuses on quality over quantity so the number of videos will be focused on the advertised position. It’s also great for hiring managers looking to mine our jobseeker database to qualify and shortlist candidates.

For job seekers, it’s a unique way to apply and present one’s skills, personality and background that could put them a cut above the pack who rely on the traditional cover letter / resume approach.

We’ve had some very creative applications including drum solos, card tricks, video recordings mid-air in helicopters and trivia questions to potential employers to name a few examples.

That’s hilarious! Can you tell me more about tradies too? How does a traditional application from them compare to Vpply?

It’s like chalk and cheese! A more standard resume application from a tradie might involve a lengthy showcasing of different licences and qualifications, perhaps a list of relevant skills and experience as well as a few key projects they’ve been involved in.

For a Vpply profile video or application, they are short and to the point. Such as a tradie showing his vehicle, tools and availability. We’ve had some tradies show job sites they’ve worked on and taken the hiring manager through the job process. They can also talk about their licences and qualifications, which verbalises a list on the spot so not everything needs to be written down. Vpply uses speech to text technology so potential employers can pick up on the qualifications as long as they are verbalised.

Essentially it’s just a much more interesting and easier way for employers to get a sense of who the jobseeker is and what they can bring to the business in a matter of seconds.

Thanks Tom, is there anything else you would like to mention?

Only that we’ve got a special 25% discount on lifetime job packages running at the moment for GeoNext customers looking to list their business. They can sign up here using GeoNextRecruit code at checkout, or schedule a meeting with me to explore a package that suits their needs.