Video Resumes
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If you are looking for a job these days, you don't need me to tell you about the fierce competition you are facing. Job seekers need every marketing advantage they can get and this sometimes can include a video resume.
Several career and job search sites now allow you to upload a video of you - selling yourself - to potential employers. It's a relatively new trend that can help you in your job search if you create a great video that truly showcases what you have to offer potential employers.
How to make a video resume:
Tips For Creating a Quality Video Resume
- Look your best. Dress as you would for an interview and make a positive lasting impression on potential employers.
- Have a simple backdrop. Do not record yourself sitting in your cluttered home office or in front of a crowded bookshelf. Choose a clean neutral colored wall for a backdrop and keep the viewer focused on you.
- Start by introducing yourself. End by thanking your viewer for taking the time to watch your video resume.
- Keep your video brief and concise. Under 3 minutes is the general rule.
- Focus on what you have accomplished in previous jobs. Don't simply list all of your previous daily work tasks. Potential employers want to hear about the results of your hard work.
- Take the time to prepare carefully what you would like to say in your video resume. Practice thoroughly before recording. If you aren't happy with the first recording, try again until you catch yourself at your best. A video resume is giving you a huge opportunity for exposure. Be sure that you are using it to your benefit!
- Use cue cards if you need to, but do not simply read your paper resume.
- If you don't have a good quality camera to shoot your video - and someone to help you out - consider hiring a professional.
The main advantage of creating your video resume is increased exposure. Be sure that your video resume is showcasing your best qualities, that it is of top quality and represents your abilities and accomplishments as accurately as possible.
Job Search in the News
- 10 reasons you're not closing the deal in your job searchTechRepublic2 days ago
If your job leads fail to pan out - again and again - it might be time to rethink your approach. Deb Shinder offers some job search do's and don'ts.
- Government worker in missing files case stayed on job despite police search of his homeVancouver Sun11 hours ago
A B.C. government employee remained on the job for seven months after police searched his Victoria home and discovered the personal information of 1,400 income-assistance clients.
- Experts: Full speed ahead for job search during holidaysSt. Louis Post-Dispatch4 hours ago
Persistence, extra networking are key.
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Comments
Great information and I think it's an amazing idea. I guess I don't interview much since I work from home but I think the idea is brilliant! Great hub! Thumbs up!
This is interesting. I don't know how popular it will be, but loved reading about it.
Great tip. Video resume would certainly make you stand out from the crowd and score a better chance to get the job.
Thanks for all the great comments. I think it will be interesting to see where this goes and if video resumes become a standard part of the job search process. It is most popular at this point with recent college grads, and among sales / marketing professionals.
Video ones? I have never heard of them. It's amazing how the world is changing with the technology around. I hope any job I'm looking for does not ask for this. I'd be so uncomfortable.
You are not alon in feeling uncomfortable creating a video resume. I think it's a tough thing to do - like public speaking - for the majority of people. I do think it works well for people in sales or other industries that require a super outgoing personality.
wow, thats kinda wierd. Did the idea originate from video dating. Like its gotta be aquward to just selll yourself with no one to judge you about it at first, well except for yourself and that is thw worst/harshest judge of all.
I think video resumes and video conferencing for interviews are gaining popularity in this economy. It makes the screening process go more quickly.
I think it is hard to sell yourself this way, if you aren't comfortable in front of the camera. I would recommend having someone you trust reviewing your video resume before submitting it anywhere, just to be on the safe side!
ocbill says:
7 months ago
AJ, good info and tips.
Why waste a flight across country when you have a professional video. After that passes phase 1, the phone interview becomes key or video interview conference call. I wondier what the stats are of people nowadays sending both their resume and video resume. And what the stats are of hiring the video resumes vs the paper resumes