If you’re looking for a new job or an employer looking to hire someone with specialized skills, then it’s likely that video resumes will play a role in your search.
Finding a job can be challenging, especially amid a pandemic where face-to-face interviews are limited. One way to stand out from the crowd is to create an online video resume or video cover letter.
A video resume is a game-changer for job seekers. It’s an opportunity to showcase your skills and talents more engagingly than just listing them out.
A video resume is much more engaging than a traditional document-based resume. It allows candidates to showcase their personality and qualifications in ways that live documents cannot.
A video resume is a perfect way to get noticed by employers. It’s a short, engaging video that shows your skills and experience in each position you’ve held. It’s like seeing you in person! For tips on how to create one, keep reading.
Shooting your video resume
Place and background
Find a quiet place free of any interruption while recording. You can use your living room, or even go to the local library if it’s big enough! Just make sure there aren’t any loud noises that interrupt the video (like construction outside).
A busy background distracts viewers and doesn’t allow them to focus on what you’re saying.
When filming a video resume, look for an object with a simple pattern that will be easy for recruiters to look at instead of focusing on the patterns behind it (like leaves from trees).
The fewer distractions there are in your shot, the better chance you have of getting hired! It also shows your professionalism on a certain level.
Lighting
Be aware of lighting when shooting videos for resumes. Make sure light is coming from behind you so that shadows fall behind objects like chairs and desks instead of over them.
Avoid bright lights shining directly onto yourself. This creates an unflattering contrast between your face and surroundings and casts distracting shadows across your body.
Watch out for harsh overhead lights or bright, natural sunlight. Suppose you can’t control the lighting in your environment. In that case, you can check out affordable lightboxes or ring lights to get professional-looking shots!
Equipment
Make sure to have a high-quality video camera on hand. If your smartphone doesn’t have great video capabilities, consider using a digital camera or camcorder instead.
You can also use an external webcam for recording if you don’t want to invest in a new piece of equipment – make sure whatever device you choose will give the best possible results!
Remember that it’s not always necessary to buy expensive equipment when creating videos. Most mobile devices, computers, and even cameras now come with built-in video editing software. This is great for beginners simply looking to put together some quick footage without having to mess around with downloading any additional programs onto their computer or buying expensive equipment they don’t need yet.
Tips for Making a Great Video Resume
Once you have your video and it’s ready to go, there are a few tips that can help ensure you’re putting forth the best effort:
Keep it short!
Your potential employer or client doesn’t want to sit through a long-winded explanation of what is already written in your resume. It’s recommended that you aim for 30 seconds – two minutes maximum.
Keep it simple
Make sure you’re speaking clearly and not mumbling through your lines. Remember, the goal of a video resume is to make yourself more memorable than other candidates for this role/position so that they don’t even think about looking at anyone else! It’s really important that people can understand what you are saying in the short amount of time which they will view your profile.
Showcase yourself performing specific tasks
This could be anything from editing footage down at an agency to showing yourself cleaning up after a day of shooting. For example, if you’re applying for the role of assistant editor, put together some quick footage that shows your skills in Adobe Premiere or After Effects – don’t go overboard here as this is simply supplementary content and shouldn’t be what decides whether or not someone hires you over another candidate.
Details matter!
Make sure that all contact information on both sides (your resume and video) match perfectly so employers/clients can get in touch with you directly whenever they want. You’ll also want to ensure that any web addresses at the bottom of your document are live links rather than just text – this ensures viewers have access to multimedia resources when necessary without having to do any additional work themselves!
Humor is okay
If possible, try incorporating some humor into your content without going overboard. Everybody has a sense of humor, so don’t worry too much about trying to be something you are not. If you can make someone laugh, you’re already ahead of the curve in our eyes!
Ask for feedback
Don’t be terrified to ask for feedback from friends and family before publishing it online, where anyone who may potentially hire or work with you could stumble across it. This is especially important if they happen to know anything about video production, as this will ensure that there are no glaring mistakes that might detract potential clients away from what’s most important – YOU.
Be yourself!
This is your video resume, not someone else’s. As long as you’re putting in the time to prepare and plan out what it is that you want potential employers/clients to know about who YOU are – this will come through loud and clear when done right. Try experimenting with different styles of dress or shooting locations until you find something which feels most natural for yourself (or even better yet, ask a friend if they would be up for being on camera).
If you’re out looking for a new job or have been stuck in the same one for too long, it may be time to shake things up. A video resume is an excellent way of showing your skills and personality without having to go through the hassle of writing a traditional resume.
We’ve outlined some tips that will help you start creating your first video resume with ease. Let us know how this process goes—we want to hear from our readers who are employing these strategies! Happy job hunting!