A video resume is becoming popular among job seekers, looking to gain priority in the large pile of resumes. Hiring managers are responding to the new tactic in job search. In a 2006 CareerBuilder.com survey, 60% of hiring managers surveyed said they had some interest in reviewing video resumes of possible candidates. Now, four years later, the video resume is still unique within job search, which means this is an excellent new opportunity for anyone in the job market looking for that edge over other candidates.

A video resume is basically a combination of photos and highlights from a print resume, highlighted with audio and graphics. The finished product is a new way of relaying information about skills and experiences of a candidate.

This tool makes sense when you consider how our society has been shaped and changed by television, the Internet, and now mobile phones. To follow are five reasons the video resume is becoming so popular.

We are used to watching videos, now more than ever. Most people grew up with television, and we are used to gathering information visually. Internet speeds have also gotten faster, which means we can watch videos and hold video conferences online. So while video resumes may be new, they are not drastically different from what we are used to, which means people are already comfortable with viewing videos online

Video resumes can be streamed on a website. Just upload them to YouTube, and paste the embed code on a web page, or email a direct link to show yours to the right people. If you are promoting your personal brand enough, you have your own website or blog, so just post your video resume to it, and direct possible employers to it.

Video resumes are one more tool in your social media toolbox. The whole point of personal branding and social media these days is to meet new people and form relationships in order to find new opportunities. You connect with people in your industry on LinkedIn, you communicate with people in your community on Twitter, and you share knowledge on your blog. You never know when someone you connect with will be your next employer or colleague. By including a video resume as part of your online identity, you make it easier for people to invite you to new opportunities, including applying for job openings.

Video resumes are still new enough that they will stand out from the piles of paper resumes the hiring managers are currently receiving. While video resumes may not be for everyone — we cannot see accountants, claims adjusters or government employees taking the plunge with them. Yet. — they are ideal for people in marketing, sales, social media, video production, and other creative fields.

Hiring managers can watch video resumes on their mobile phones. Androids, iPhones, and other smart phones have YouTube capabilities. This can be especially important as Generation Xers embrace new media, after being pushed and prodded by their Generation Y children and co-workers, which means we're seeing more and more video consumption on mobile phones.

As social media and fast broadband change the way we communicate and share information, it's important that our own job search keeps up with the times. People have already quit looking in the newspaper for jobs, and many are turning to social networking to find the jobs that aren't advertised on the job websites. (In fact, some experts believe that only 5% of available jobs are listed through the job sites, the rest are found through networking and referrals.) As we move from traditional job search techniques to Job Search 2.0, it's important that we use the tools and techniques to match. A video resume is a great way to embrace the new accepted practices and stand out from the rest of the crowd.