If you’re in the market for a job right now, you’re not alone. With the increased competition for coveted roles, standing out is crucial. A video resume can help you make a memorable impression and increase your chances of getting hired faster.
Unemployment rates in the U.S. alone reached an all-time high of 14.7% in April 2020, with over 40 million Americans now filing for unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re serious about getting employed, it’s time to get equally serious about the most important thing you need to help you stand out in the job-seeking crowd — your resume.
Why a resume is so important
Your resume shouldn’t be something you hastily type up to attach to your application. It’s your ultimate tool for marketing yourself.
A great resume helps employers establish an overview of your education, skills, and background so they can get a sense of how your personal experiences and achievements could contribute to their company’s future success.
How using video can help you stand out from the competition
According to a Forbes article, the average number of people who apply for any given job is (wait for it) — 118.
But before you throw up your hands in despair and reach for the ice-cream, it’s not all bad news. The most important thing you need to think about is how to get your resume to stand out from the stacks of other resumes that will be flooding in. Video is a great way to make those potential employers sit up and take notice.
While everyone else is sending in giant pages of text for their resumes, you can record an engaging, personalized, multimedia resume that creates an instant connection between you and the HR department.
4 Tips for a Great Video Resume
1. Keep it simple
Aim to keep your video between 1 – 2 minutes long. You should include enough information to get an employer interested enough to move you to the interview stage while keeping things short and inspiring at the same time.
2. Nail your pitch
Your potential employers want to know why they should hire you. What can you bring to their business that nobody else can? Make sure your video includes points like:
- Your experience
- Your strengths
- What makes you unique
- What makes you the right hire for the position
Write down the main points you’re going to cover in your pitch and have a couple of trial runs before you hit record.
3. First impressions count
When it’s time to film, make sure your surroundings are in order. First impressions count just as much on video as they do in person.
Dress appropriately for the relevant position and industry, and make sure there’s no background noise or distractions that will take the hiring manager’s attention away from what you’re saying.
4. Be authentic
Your video resume has the unique ability to convey the “real” you. Unlike a paper resume, your employer will feel like they’re meeting you for the first time in your video – because they are!
Project professionalism, but don’t be afraid to hide your natural personality and enthusiasm for the role. It’s okay to add a little humor too.
Remember, people want to work with people that they like. So if they feel you’d be a great addition to the current team based on how you show up on your video — you’re already one step ahead.
How to create your video resume
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on camera equipment. In most cases, shooting your video resume on your phone (or getting someone else to film you), will be all you need.
Online video editing tools make it easy to create a professional resume. You can use a premade template, or edit your own footage. Plus it’s simple to add engaging multimedia elements, such as text, images, and even background music in a matter of minutes.
Next time you see your dream job pop up online, don’t forget to give the video a try in your resume. You might be surprised just how effective it is at landing you that new role!
