Are you thinking about applying to your dream job? Have you been wondering: how do I make that perfect resume that will make me stand out from the rest of the crowd? You probably have heard that video resumes are trending right now but you don’t know a thing about making one.
Video resumes are an optional task for job seekers. For some job seekers, especially if you’re in the visual or creative industry, a video resume can highlight important skills.
So, if you’re struggling to make an application video, fear not! I’m going to help you make that 5-star video resume that will get you noticed and land the job of your dreams. And remember: the best part about video resumes is that you have complete control. If a take doesn’t go well, you can erase it and try again.
With that said, here are seven tips to keep in mind while making your first video resume:
Tip 1: Be energetic and enthusiastic
This doesn’t mean you have to jump or run around like a cheerleader. Be upbeat and positive and show your interviewers that you’re actually interested in what you’re talking about. And don’t forget to smile.
Tip 2: Don’t make it too long
You don’t want your future employers to get bored. Avoid rambling and dancing around the topic. Make a list of what you want to communicate to your employers and get to the point. The perfect length of a video resume is around 1-2 minutes.
Tip 3: Prepare a video script
Putting together a video script is always a smart idea. It will encourage clarity and eliminate run-on sentences and excessive “ums” and “likes”.
Here’s an example of a good video script format:
- Introduce yourself. (Hello my name is John Lowe and I’m looking for a marketing assistant position within a fast-growing company).
- Give a brief example of your past experience. (For the past two years, I’ve been conducting market research and analyzing consumer rating reports at one of the most prominent companies in the country).
- Explain what made you stand out from the crowd in your last job. (I’m well-organized with a customer-oriented approach and have proven experience as a marketing assistant).
- Say what makes you unique. (I’ve been told by my coworkers that I’m a highly enthusiastic and passionate employee with a great sense of humor).
- Close with a strong statement. (If you’re looking for an organized and focused team-player with an entrepreneurial mindset, I’m your ideal candidate).
Tip 4: Don’t read from the script
I know that your purpose is to make something creative, but how creative is it to be reading your resume? It’s always a great idea to prepare a video resume script beforehand, but make sure you don’t read from it word by word. It’s not the best way to stand out from the crowd.
Talk freely about you as a person. Discuss the type of employee you’re going to be, why you want to do what you do, and explain your values and your motivators. Talk about the value you can add to their business. Don’t just read what you’ve done in the past and follow those bullet points as your interviewers can do this themselves.
Tip 5: Dress appropriately
Think about the work culture and the outfits people wear at the company you’re applying for. Dress appropriately as this will help them visualize you working at their company.
If it’s a startup, then consider dressing more casually. The ideal startup attire is relaxed but still trendy. A popular look for men is dress pants, jeans, or khakis, paired with a casual t-shirt and a blazer. A cool startup-look for women is a pair of jeans and a cotton blouse. If you want to add more style, try a blazer with jeans.
Or, if you’re applying to work for a corporate company, then you should consider dressing more professionally. In my experience, the best corporate outfit for women is a fine blouse and dress pants/suit skirt, or a statement dress. Men can never go wrong with a nice suit.
If the interview is of a business casual character, you can play with different outfits and add a modern touch to your look.
Tip 6: Talk slowly and clearly
It’s natural that you’ll get passionate and excited while making a video resume. Especially if you love what you do and the job you’re applying for is your dream job. However, make sure you slow it down so that your audience on the other side of the video can actually understand what you’re saying.
Moreover, you want to ensure that your camera and your microphone are working properly. People shouldn’t have a hard time understanding or seeing you on the video resume. Consider getting an HD camera and downloading editing software. I’m not saying that you can’t use your phone or your laptop camera, but think about the quality. Do you want to be represented by a cheap camera or an HD camera that can help you look very classy and professional?
Tip 7: Edit your video resume
Now that you’ve filmed your video CV, it’s time to do the editing. You have plenty of free video editing programs to try, such as Blender, Lightworks, and Shortcut.
If you want to make your video even more professional, you can pay to use a highly rated video editing software. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Final Cut Pro, and Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2019 are used by a number of creative professionals. They’re easy to use and come packed with enough features. If you don’t know how to edit your video using the software, there’s a wide range of YouTube tutorials to teach you how.
Final Word
Congratulations! You’re now fully equipped to make your first video resume and impress your audience! However, there’s one thing that you need to keep in mind. Most companies are not looking for the highest production quality in a video resume. The most important thing, at the end of the day, is your creativity, intelligence, and personality. A video resume is just an amazing opportunity to say to a company why you think you would be an excellent addition to their team.
So have fun and take full advantage of it! Good luck!
