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What is the Use of a Video Resume and How is it Helpful
A Video Resume is a great way to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your unique strengths to an online recruiting manager. In today’s post-pandemic era, many employers are receiving hundreds of resumes each day and with more people embracing the remote work lifestyle, it can be difficult to make yourself stand out.
With a Video Resume, you are able to show your personality, professionalism, and qualifications in a way that a traditional resume cannot and thus, ultimately have a better chance of being chosen for the job.
What Is A Video Resume?
A video resume is a short video that entails an introduction of yourself to a potential employer. You can submit the video resume alone. However, it is advisable to also attach a written resume with a cover letter in your application in order to give a complete overview of yourself and your experience. Video resumes can be used to describe a particular achievement or talk about an experience that you feel is worth mentioning.
What Should You Include in a 2-Minute Video Resume Script?
Not everything can be detailed in a written resume. Written documents are good to highlight your achievements whereas a video resume can help you express yourself better. In a video, you can talk about an experience with more emphasis on the parts you feel are more important. You can use gestures and expressions to showcase your enthusiasm for the job.
- Your name and contact information
- A brief introduction
- A summary of your experience and qualifications
- Any awards or achievements you’ve earned in the previous jov
- Examples of your work (if applicable)
- A description of your professional goals
- A closing statement
The best thing about video resumes for job interview is that they allow you to display your personality and creativity.
Video Resumes vs Written Ones
Video resumes have many benefits over written ones. They’re unique, make you more visible, and are a prelude to what the interviewer can expect in the next round: The interview. You take away a lot of their doubts with a video resume.
According to a survey conducted by Talent Now, it was discovered that 60 percent of hiring managers and recruiters have already implemented video as part of their hiring process. Additionally, an additional 22 percent of those surveyed stated they are considering utilizing video in the future.
A video resume for a job interview is no guarantee that the employer will hire you but you’re giving them a magnified view of whether the next round is on the cards or not. This saves both of you the time and the agony of going through an unwanted remote interview if you’re not what they’re looking for.
Here are all the reasons you should use it when applying for a remote job: You Have an Edge Over Others
Out of hundreds of resumes in the hiring manager’s inbox, what are the odds that all of them have a video resume link in the email? Not everyone wants to go that extra mile to create one. Yours will be among a few others who made an effort to create a short video which leads us to the second benefit.
Read more: How to Put Remote work on Resume
1. All in One
While a written resume has all your qualifications and past experience, it can’t really tell a story the way a video can. If your written resume is too long and descriptive, the hiring manager who is already pressed for time will simply toss it aside. A long resume is one of the many reasons candidates get rejected. Video resumes come to the rescue. A simple 30 to 120 seconds video can do what a written resume can’t: More personality, achievements and impact, less bullshit.
2. You’re the Conversation Starter
Before getting to a virtual interview session with the hiring manager, you’re already starting a conversation. This gives you more control. You already know some of the questions that might come your way when you’re sitting across the screen in the interview. You’ll answer some of them in this short video resume. Brownie points earned!
Now that you know what a short and sweet video resume can do for you, let’s understand how you can create a professional one. No hiring manager wants to watch a video that talks about that burrito you ate last Sunday. So, what should your video resume be like?
How to Create a Video Resume for a Job Interview
Here we go with all that can help you put on your best face! Creating a video resume is not rocket science but you mustn’t forget that it is a professional resume. There are some things you need to take care of. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a video CV.
1. Suit Up
No. Not literally. On second thought, why not? As long as you dress professionally and make sure you’re not sporting the “bed hair” look, you’re safe. Iron your clothes and keep it simple and professional.
No hiring manager wants to see a casual t-shirt in a video resume. It is comfortable, sure, but also unprofessional. It shows you didn’t put in any effort to distinguish between your personal and professional life.
You’re applying for a remote position. Via this video resume, you’re showing them how you are in a professional setting. Don’t let them think that you’re casual about the job just because it is “remote”.
2. Don’t Script It
You might want to just read your resume out loud on a video but what’s the point? It is important to talk about something that doesn’t exist on your written resume. You can also elaborate on a point from your resume. Make sure you talk about something that is the highlight of your career. Having said that, don’t overdo it. Nobody likes braggards. Be natural.
3. Keep it Short
This is a video resume, not a speech. It is easy to get carried away while filming. A video resume should be no longer than 2 minutes before you want to bore the remote hiring manager. Short videos are easier for the employer to evaluate. Saves you and them a lot of time.
4. Edit Your Video
The video is short but it doesn’t have to be bland. Make it more appealing by adding a template or simple effects to it. An intro and outro are very easy to add. You don’t need to be a professional video editor for that. Apps like FilmoraGo and LumaFusion are easy to understand and use. Your video resume is now more stylish!
Video Resume Don’ts
As mentioned before, it is easy to get carried away when filming or editing a video. Remember, that this is a professional video resume that you’re submitting to a potential remote employer. Here are the don”ts when it comes to creating a video CV.
- Talking about anything that is irrelevant is not appropriate. Stick to talking about your professional experience only.
- Make sure that the room you’re recording in is well-lit. Nobody wants to see a “barely there” silhouette.
- Invest in a good tripod. Avoid recording while holding your phone or camera as the video can get shaky.
- Don’t overdo hand or body gestures. It can be distracting.
- Pay attention to your background. It doesn’t need to look like a movie set but it also can’t have clothes all over the place and unclean surroundings. Choose a plain wall, if you don’t have an aesthetically pleasing environment.
- Keep other family members or roommates out of the room you’re filming in. Other voices and sounds can be distracting.
Get Inspired by These Video Resumes Examples
We did the research and found the best examples of video resumes for inspiration. It is best to check out what other people are doing before you film your own, to make sure you’re going in the right direction.
To make it easier for you, we found this video Cv’s for you to check on Youtube as well.
Get Ready to Get Noticed
Now that you know all that you need to keep in mind before you hit that red dot on your device, it is time to wear the most important accessory: confidence. Go all out and submit your video resume for job interview to potential remote employers across the globe.
Bookmark this page so that if you forget the points to keep in mind while creating your video resume, you can quickly come back to this guide. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. We’re always happy to help!
