The Beginner’s Guide to Marketing
Video Resumes and How to Make an Effective One
As you may picture, a video resume is a video you make and submit to a potential employer when applying for a job. And like a conventional print resume, a video resume may be targeted to a certain position or company, or general. The content will naturally be no different – your skills and experience relevant to the job you seek.
You can make a video resume on your own, or you can pay an expert to do the task. In any case, you have to remember that it will not get you a job. However, it can help you market yourself in the job market – if you do it right. Otherwise, not getting an interview would be the best-case scenario. Don’t include anything that might be embarrassing in any way.
Keep the following tips in mind if you’re thinking of creating a video resume:
Stay professional.
No matter what they way, maintaining a professional demeanor, including dressing professionally, is still the best way to impress with a video resume. That means no cursing and no slang. And check the the background – it should be clean and presentable.
Have a script.
Adlibs are good, but sometimes they make you waste people’s time. It’s best to sound natural, but you should have a clear sense of what you’d like to say, and how you want to say it. Don’t read right from a script though because that would make you boring or uninteresting. Instead, practice your script while trying to sound as naturally as possible. The main points of your video should include your major goals, accomplishments and skills.
Consider who’ll be watching.
As you plan your video, research who will be watching it. Obviously, what works for a banking position may not work for a creative position and vice-versa.
Use visuals.
Using visuals to express your talent and skills will surely help make your video interesting to your audience. For example, if you’re applying for the position of graphic designer, you can film yourself creating a design on Photoshop. Or if you have previous footage of you making designs, include that.
Keep it short.
This can be critical as most people are busy these days, whatever industry they are in. Keep it between 30 to 90 seconds, or your video will likely be untouched.
Ask for feedback.
Finally, before submitting your resume video, ask people around you to watch it and give honest feedback. It’s always good to listen to what others have to say. You don’t have to follow what they tell you anyway. Because this is still your video, you still have to call the shots; but do grab the opportunity to listen to what they have to say, and give yourself time to process it and act on it as needed.