Video resumes are becoming popular with job candidates as a method to stand out from the crowd. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are a professional candidate with good verbal communication skills. Recruiters and employers are more likely to remember what they see than what they read in a text resume. Another benefit to having video in your resume is that they are recorded, and can easily be forwarded to hiring managers, posted on web sites, or links shared on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media sites. After the value of a video resume is understood, a natural question is: What do you say in the video?

A video resume must tell the viewer why they should hire you. Start with “Hello”, your first and last name and the type of position you are seeking. Provide an overview of your skills, your experience, and what you bring to the table. State your greatest strength and provide a real work example of how you used that strength to achieve specific results. The first 30 seconds of the video are critical to gaining the attention of the viewer. You need to give the viewer a reason to keep watching.

Briefly provide a few examples of major accomplishments for which you are most proud. Rather than saying you were responsible for this function or that function, tell the viewer what you accomplished in terms such as cost savings, sales results, product launches, or specific and quantifiable improvements you made. Mention your educational background, relevant certifications, and special awards you have won. Everything you say in the video resume needs to reinforce what you can do that can benefit a new employer.

Close the video resume by summarizing in one sentence why you are a good candidate. Thank the viewer for watching your video, and invite them to contact you for a live discussion. The complete video should take no more than 1 or 2 minutes. Remember that a video resume does not replace the text resume and you do not need to read your resume to the camera. The purpose of the video resume is to verbally expand upon the text, and show a little personality and interest that cannot be seen in text.

If you are camera shy, consider recording an audio resume. The script you use will be identical to a video resume, but you will not have to worry about what you are wearing, your background, eye contact, and all the other visual cues. No matter if you are using an audio resume or a video resume, be sure to focus on your professional life. A resume is no place for personal information, or making jokes. Many of the tips in the article Make a Great Impression in Your Video Interview will apply to making a video resume, so be sure to read the article.

General Tips. Write a script of what you want to say and practice several times until you feel comfortable. Try to keep each sentence relatively short. Run-on sentences are just as cumbersome in video and audio as they are in text. Keep your statements relevant to the job, company, or industry you are targeting. When recording a video resume look directly into the camera. Dress as if you are in a live interview, be careful that the background on your video is professional, and be sure to have a quiet environment. Lastly, remember that the purpose of any resume (text, audio, or video) is to sell yourself to your viewer.

InterVU.me believes in the value of video resumes in helping job candidates stand out from the field. Please let us know your thoughts and comments by emailing info@intervu.me.

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