Did you know that, on average, each corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes?
With stiff competition in mind, it’s becoming increasingly important for candidates to craft a winning resume that grabs attention and stands out.
One of the ways to achieve this is by creating a video resume.
As the name suggests, a video resume is a resume presented in a video format. Not many candidates consider creating this type of resume, so this can help you set yourself apart from the rest.
When executed well, video resumes can show much more about you and your personality than a traditional resume. . convey.
If you’re looking for a job that involves a lot of creativity or presentation skills, or if you just want to stand out from the crowd, then you should consider creating a video resume.
Why make a video resume?
According to Glassdoor, the average recruiter spends about 6 seconds scanning a resume while evaluating a potential candidate.
That means your resume must “speak” and leave a lasting impression in those crucial 6 seconds to get you through to the next round.
You may be the best in the business, have a wealth of experience and relevant skills to demonstrate, but how do you convey that to your recruiter in just 6 seconds on paper?
This is where a video resume can really help. Not convinced? Here are five key benefits of creating a video resume.
1. Adds credibility
A video resume adds credibility to your profile by making you and your skills more personal. The recruiter can see firsthand the person behind the resume, making it easier for the recruiter to consider your skills and experience.
Another smart way to build credibility is to include short testimonials from your former colleagues or managers, reaffirming their abilities and strengths.
2. Demonstrate Communication Skills
Regardless of the nature of your job role, communication skills are an asset to any employee. What could be a better way to demonstrate your communication skills other than a video resume? Whether you choose to focus on text and animation or in a talking head format, your video resume will show potential employers exactly what you intend to communicate, so make it count!
Not sure about speaking in front of the camera? Why not brush up on your public speaking skills or body language?
3. Highlight Creativity
Creating a video resume allows you to shine a light on your creativity, something that is much appreciated if you are applying for a job in the creative field. For example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of an animator and you submit an animated video resume. Done right, half the battle is won.
Even if your role isn’t design-focused, a video resume can be a huge plus. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position, submitting a video resume highlights your ability to think outside the box and sell yourself.
4. Show Enthusiasm and Proactivity
The very fact that you decided to go the extra mile and submit a video resume shows how passionate you are about the position. Your enthusiasm and proactivity come through, which are extremely important qualities required for any position.
5. Attractive
It is a well-known fact that pictures communicate more effectively than words. Taking a cue from that, it’s no surprise that a well-written and produced video resume manages to capture the recruiter’s attention and keep them engaged compared to reading snippets of text.
8 Video Resume Tips That Will Get You Hired
Video resumes are becoming popular with job seekers and are a great way to stand out from your competitors. While there’s no set formula to follow when creating your first video resume, here are some video resume tips to help you get hired.
1. Make Sure You’re Right for the Position
While video resumes are a unique way to get noticed, the first question to ask yourself is whether you’re relevant and a good fit for the position you’re applying for. Sending a video resume for every role or position is not the best idea.
For example, if you’re applying for a CPA position, submitting a video resume can be a risky move. However, if you’re applying in the advertising, marketing, or public relations space, a video resume will certainly make the most sense.
So it largely depends on what your role is and what industry you’re applying to. The last thing you want is for your video resume to be met with an unwanted backlash.
2.Keep it short and sweet
Think of your video resume as a trailer for introducing yourself. Recruiters don’t consider a video resume a final interview. They are used like any other resume: to evaluate and shortlist candidates.
So be creative, present yourself in a crisp and succinct way. According to experts, the ideal length of a video resume is around 1-2 minutes.
3. Start with a plan
A great video resume starts with a well-designed plan.
Think about how you want to videotape your resume: will you be comfortable speaking on camera or do you want someone to interview you? Do you want to put together some slides instead of appearing on camera? What would you like the tone to be, humorous or direct?
It’s important to think about these questions, as they will set the tone for the resume, allowing you to execute with ease.
If you want to enhance your resume, consider gaining the skills required for the position. From Microsoft Office and Photoshop to business writing and HTML, GoSkills has the courses you need.
4. Be creative
It’s not enough to recite your resume, you must be passionate about what you say. Think of creative ways to present your skills and experiences through stories. For example, if the position you’re applying for requires strong remote work experience, be sure to share stories that validate your skills.
In addition to content, it’s also important to think creatively when presenting or filming it. Every video resume doesn’t have to be about you speaking, you can also create animated video resumes with a voiceover, create a montage with pictures, or have someone interview you.
In fact, you can create an engaging video resume in PowerPoint, complete with voiceover or background music. Take a look at our collection of the best free PowerPoint templates to get inspired.
5. Prepare a Solid Script
Now that you know the goals behind the video resume and how you plan to present it, it’s time to work on a detailed video resume script.
This will help you organize your thoughts, structure the video, and ensure it flows logically. That’s not all, when you are well prepared you also tend to be much more confident while shooting the video.
In addition to a script, it’s a good idea to also create a storyboard, introducing each scene with images and corresponding dialogue. It may seem slow, but it’s definitely worth it.
6. Pay attention to technical details
Nothing is more frustrating than watching a video resume where you can barely understand what the candidate is saying.
So, pay special attention to technicalities like background, sound, and lighting. Make sure you use the right equipment and don’t settle for anything inferior.
Find a suitable background, make sure there is enough light, and use a microphone that can capture your voice loud and clear. Your recruiter should be able to see and hear you clearly.
7. End with a clear call to action
It’s a great idea to end your video resume with a clear, distinctive and direct call to action to encourage the recruiter to move on to the next step.
You can conclude by sharing your contact details or a link to your portfolio where the recruiter can take a look at your work, or view your LinkedIn profile to see your background and work history.
8. Ask for Feedback
Asking for feedback on your video resume allows you to get another person’s perspective, which can be helpful and insightful. So make sure you show your resume to a couple of people and understand if there are any corrections you need to make before you submit it to job postings.
5 Creative Video Resume Examples to Inspire You
Are you ready to create your first video resume? Here are some awesome examples to get inspired.
1. Sajita Nair
What stood out in this resume was the sheer simplicity with which she spoke about herself, without exaggeration or exaggeration.
She has highlighted her public speaking skills while eliminating the fluff and keep the video short, sharp and to the point.
2. Tran Dai Duong
This creative resume showcases the candidate’s experience in animation and motion graphics. It also highlights the creative side of her. If you are looking for a job in marketing, design, or any other job that requires creativity, this format is definitely a good idea.
3. Cristina Castro
Here’s another example of a creative resume.The upbeat background score certainly fits well with the overall theme of the video.
If you’re not comfortable speaking on camera, this format will give you an idea of how to create a video resume.
4. Tyler Angel
What stood out in this video was its narrative format and fun animations. The video also has a clear call to action at the end, encouraging the recruiter to contact him.
5. Wael Mckee
This video resume starts with a strong hook and manages to capture the viewer’s attention from the start. A special mention to the clever way in which he lists his main abilities and ends with a strong call to action.
Bottom Line
While a video resume has the potential to create a positive first impression, it can backfire if not done right. We hope you’ll use the helpful tips and examples above to create your own killer video resume to wow potential employers.
Remember, when you send a video resume to a recruiter, make sure it’s accompanied by a text resume as well. If you’re looking for a resume template to complement your video resume, choose from our collection of the best free Word resume templates.
Looking for the skills and certifications to stack your resume and impress employers? ? GoSkills offers engaging and practical online courses that can help. Start learning essential skills like Excel, project management, business writing, public speaking, and coding with a free 7-day trial of all GoSkills courses.
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