In a world of AI, resumes and cover letters are all starting to look the same. No shock there, considering they are typically getting passed through the same software. This means a short video resume on your profile can be incredibly effective, but a bad one can be a real turnoff.
Here’s a few dos and donts to make sure your video resume hits the mark:
Do:
- Shoot in landscape (camera sideways).
- Have the camera at eye level.
- Understand what your future employer wants.
- Create and memorise a script.
- Wear appropriate clothes. That would be the same ones you’d wear to an interview.
- Keep it under 90 seconds and list the most important things first: Name-visa status and expiry date – what types of jobs you want – where you want to work and when you are available. – where you are working now – key skills and experience – work related awards – thanks for watching.
- Consider showing your work related skills. If you are barista, film yourself doing latte art. If you are a ski tech, film yourself using repair equipment (make sure you wear safety equipment too).
- Try shooting with a window behind your camera. This will give you balanced, natural lighting.
- Make sure that the audio in your video is clear. This means there’s no background noise.
- do multiple takes until you are happy
- Set your video to public on YouTube or Vimeo so it can be seen on our site.
Don’t
- Waffle about non-work issues. Employers DGAF about your love of yoga (unless you are going for a job as a yoga instructor!)
- Go overboard with post-production, filters, and soundtracks.
- include other people that can be identified
- Make it for insta. The audience is one person and they want to see what you bring to their business. You want to come across are reliable and competent, not fabulous and fun. You’re not after likes and comments.
Here is an example of video resume that is short, to the point, and effective.
Related topic: How to nail your job interview.