Written resumes provide a potential employer with the experience and achievements you have had throughout your career.
However, video resumes can show a different, more creative side to your skills and set you apart from other candidates.
Nowadays, some hiring managers will even require a video as part of the application process.
A video resume or video CV is a short video that describes what value you can bring to the industry and can make a first great impression.
Are video resumes right for me?
According to the public relations team at Adoni Media, the first thing you need to decide is whether a video resume suits the industry or employer you’re sending it to. Not every company expects a video resume and some industries prefer a more traditional approach.
Uploading a video resume depends on the type of job you’re trying to get. For instance, if you’re wanting to land a job in video design, a video resume would be perfect. You could add snippets of your portfolio, while also demonstrating the video skills you currently have.
What makes a great video resume?
Usually when you create a video resume, it gets uploaded to the internet for the world to see. So, how do you avoid uploading a video that’s embarrassing and ends up trending for the wrong reasons?
Here are some things you should do:
- Make a script: Know what you want to talk about in your video resume and back it up with examples of what you’ve done.
- Know who you’re creating it for: Video resumes are time consuming and so it’s important to know who’s going to see it and show your potential employer how you could be a valuable part of their team.
- Keep it relatively short: You don’t want your prospective employer to get bored. So, keep your video resume concise and interesting. Around 60 to 90 seconds should be long enough.
- Use good quality equipment: You’ll want to show your future employer your best side, so use quality equipment so that your video looks professional.
- Show off your creative flair: Video resumes don’t necessarily have to be you just sitting down in front of a camera. Show what you’ve done in the past and put your creative stamp on the video. This will help you stand out from the rest, if it suits the job you’re applying for of course.
- Remember to be yourself: The company will be looking at your video to see if you’re the right fit for them. So, remember to slow down, relax, breathe and just be yourself.