A video resume is one way to present your professional experience to a potential employer and stand out among other candidates. For example, it can be a good idea if you're applying for a position where creativity and visual presentation are important.
Creating such a resume is simpler than it seems. In this article, we'll explore several important points to consider to showcase your key qualities and skills.
Video Duration
Don't create a lengthy video; an optimal length is considered to be 1-2 minutes. To keep the viewer engaged and not bore the potential employer, get to the main points right away. Prepare a list of what you want to cover and stick to it.
Avoid Reading Your Resume
The main idea of a video resume is to present yourself creatively and stand out among other candidates. While having an outline or script is great, you shouldn't literally recite your resume, listing your previous jobs and bullet points of your responsibilities.
It's better to sincerely talk about yourself—your personality, what kind of employee you will be, what motivates you, the values you adhere to, and the value you will bring to the company.
Presentation Plan
A good structure for your self-presentation could look something like this:
Introduction: Introduce yourself and mention the role or job you're interested in. For example, "Hello, my name is Olga, and I'm interested in the People Partner position."
Brief Summary of Your Previous Experience: "I have five years of experience in HR, during which I had the opportunity to work and implement processes and policies in companies with various models, including in-house, outsourcing, and product companies."
Highlight Qualities and Skills: "By nature, I focus on opportunities rather than limitations or obstacles. This always helps me find unconventional solutions. Additionally, my sense of humor and willingness to listen and collaborate with colleagues help me build trust and open relationships with them."
Summarize and Conclude Strongly: "If you're looking for a self-starter, an optimist, result-focused, and someone enthusiastic about handling day-to-day operational tasks, I am your ideal candidate."
Impression
Many people compare recruiting to sales. Following this logic, try to "sell" your "product" (your profile, candidacy, self-presentation) to the recruiter or hiring manager who will be viewing your video.
Pay attention to your appearance. In the IT culture, there are no strict dress code requirements; it's typically casual yet neat.
Speak clearly and not too quickly. Recording a video resume and self-presentation can naturally add some nervousness. Especially if you're passionate about your work and speak quickly, try to slow down so that viewers can understand you. Also, ensure your microphone, sound, and camera are working properly, and the recording quality is good. Your potential employer likely doesn't need ultra-high-resolution video unless you're applying for a job related to video shooting and editing. Still, it's essential to ensure a good and clear image.
Inject Some Enthusiasm
Try to sound friendly and optimistic, showing your interviewers that you're genuinely interested in the opportunity to join their team. Be welcoming and smile.
Tools
Finally, here are some useful free tools to help you edit videos: Blender, Lightworks, and Shortcut. To achieve a more professional effect, you can also use paid software like Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Final Cut Pro.
If you've decided to prepare a video resume, approach this form of self-presentation creatively. Through the video, your potential employer should see your uniqueness as both a candidate and as a person.
Have you tried sending a video resume? Share your experiences; we're interested!
Article by: Tania Horda
