The Do’s and Don’ts of Creating a Video Resume

A video resume can be a great way to stand out from the crowd and land your dream job. But there are a few things you need to pay attention to when creating one. In this article, we will discuss what a video resume is and how to create it. We’ll also cover the do's and don'ts of video resumes so that you can create one that will help you shine above the competition! 

What is a video resume and why should you use it? 

A video resume is simply a video version of your traditional paper resume. It can be used to supplement or even replace your written resume. 

There are several reasons why you might want to create a video resume. First, it can help you stand out from the rest. With so many people applying for jobs these days, anything you can do to make your application stand out will only work in your favor! Additionally, video resumes are an excellent way to show off your personality and give employers a sense of who you are as a person. This can be especially helpful if you're applying for a customer-facing role or any position where being able to build relationships is key.

A couple of things to keep in mind before making your video resume

The first thing you need to do when preparing a video resume is to make sure that you have a clear purpose for it. You need to be able to answer the question, "Why am I making this video resume?". If you can't answer this question, then your video resume will likely be a flop.

Once you know why you're making the video resume, you need to start thinking about what content you want to include. Talk about your relevant working experience and any successful projects, but don't forget to show personality! This is a great chance for the viewer to see if you'll be a good fit for their company and contribute to a better work environment.

How to make a video resume

Now that you know why you might want to create a video resume, let's talk about how to make one.

First, you'll need to decide what format you want your video resume to be in. You can either record yourself giving a traditional presentation, or you can opt for a more conversational style. If you go the latter route, it can be helpful to have someone else ask you questions. You can make your video feel more like a conversation and less like an interview. 

Once you've decided on the format of your video resume, it's time to start planning out what you're going to say. Just like with a written resume, you'll want to highlight skills and achievements that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Try to keep it interesting: don’t just number all the places you’ve worked at. Spice it up with appropriate comments, your successful cases, funny stories, and other things that would make an employer want to hire you. 

When it comes time to actually record your video resume, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind. First, make sure that you're in a well-lit room with minimal background noise. You want employers to be able to see and hear you clearly! Additionally, dress as though you're going on an interview – avoid casual clothes or anything that might be distracting.

Finally, remember to relax and be yourself. The best video resumes are those that feel natural and allow your personality to shine through. And don’t forget to learn your speech by heart – there are some useful techniques that will help you memorize your speech.

Now that we've discussed what a video resume is and why you might want to create one, let's move on to the do's and don'ts of creating a video resume. 

DO:

• Keep it under two minutes. Hiring managers are busy people and they don’t want to watch a video that is too long. Get to the point and show them what you have to offer in a short and concise video.

• Highlight your skills and experience. This is what the video resume is for, after all. You want to show the hiring manager that you have the skills and experience that they are looking for in a candidate.

• Show some personality. The video resume is your chance to really show the hiring manager who you are. Are you creative? Witty? Passionate? Let them see that in your video!

• Make sure it’s high quality. This means that the video should be well-lit and clear. You want the hiring manager to see that you are professional and that you care about the quality of your work.

• Add a voiceover. A voiceover will help you to control the pacing and delivery of your video. It will also ensure that the viewer can hear you clearly.

• Dress professionally. Just because you are preparing a video resume doesn’t mean you can dress casually. Wear clothing that you would wear to an in-person interview so that the hiring manager sees you’re taking this seriously.

• Smile! A video resume is a great opportunity to show off your personality. Make sure to smile and come across as friendly and approachable.

• Practice! This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people freeze up in front of the camera. Take some time to practice your video resume so that you can deliver your best performance.

DON’T: 

• Use low quality video or audio. This will make you look unprofessional and it will be difficult for the hiring manager to hear or see you clearly. Invest in a good quality webcam and microphone so that your video is clear and crisp.

• Ramble on and on. Like we said before, keep your video under two minutes. Get to the point quickly and don’t bore the hiring manager with too much information.

• Move too much. Even though some studies suggest that fidgeting might be good for your health, in a video interview it might be considered unprofessional. 

• Include personal information that isn’t relevant to the job. The hiring manager doesn’t need to know your whole life story. Stick to discussing only information that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

• Use props or have anything else in the frame that would distract you. The focus should be on you and your video resume, so make sure the only thing in the frame is you.

• Send it without proofreading. This is an important step for any type of resume, but it’s especially important for video resumes. Make sure to watch your video all the way through before you send it off to make sure there are no mistakes.

Following these tips should help you create a video resume that will impress hiring managers and give you a better chance of landing the job you want. Still feeling unsure about the whole process? Remember that practice makes perfect. The more video resumes you make, the better you'll get at it! So go ahead and give it a try. Who knows, your dream job could be just around the corner. Thanks for reading!

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