Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Secrets To A Killer Video Resume

In today’s competitive job market, job seekers may have a difficult time differentiating themselves in a sea of paper resumes.

However, candidates can use video resumes to set themselves apart to recruiters and hiring managers by creating a clearer picture of their character and personal brand.

My freshman year of college, I tried my own hand at a video resume. I thought I was being creative at the time, but in hindsight, it was a awful (I was wearing pigtails)! What I learned since, with the advice of some seasoned professionals and from my own experience, is that crafting a good video resume is much like playing a song. Here’s what I learned.

1. Play in the employer’s key

Before picking up the camera, get a good feel for the company culture. If the employer has a recruiting video, try to match the tone they set, much like playing in the same key. Your video resume should be tailored to fit the company and the specific job. However, no matter the overall tone, your video resume should still be professional. Josh Tolan, CEO of Sparkhire, encouraged candidates to “approach a video resume just like you would an in-person meeting. Keep it polished, poised and professional. Dress professionally and speak with confidence.” Be clever and creative, but make sure the tone and humor can translate into the workplace.

2. Focus your pitch

In this case, I’m not talking about your musical pitch, but a sales pitch. Your video resume is meant to move you further along in the hiring process, so think of it as a sales pitch. Focus on a few strong takeaways for the hiring manager that illustrate why you are perfect for this job. Be sure to have a strong closing statement that summarizes your key points and makes a compelling argument for why the employer should pursue you further.

3. Play a variation on the theme

Tolan points out that a video resume is not a replacement of your paper resume or a dramatic reading of it. Your video resume should show employers a side of you that can’t be captured in writing, so play a variation on the theme set by your paper resume. Show yourself in action, perhaps working on your latest achievement or walking them through a past project with some visuals, or link your video to platforms like Twitter or your online portfolio to communicate a fuller picture of who you are.

Here’s a great example:

Featuring: Rachel’s Video Resume from Staffing Vietnam on Vimeo.

4. Not everyone needs a song

Honestly, video resumes aren’t for everyone. Jeremy Roberts, SPHR, advises that this might not be the best path for you if you are uncomfortable in front of the camera or if you are applying to a technical position where your skill set already qualifies you. In that case, a ten-second scan of your paper resume might be all a recruiter needs, so be sure that you are making the best use of the his time and your own.

The goal of a video resume is to communicate who you are and why you’re a qualified candidate for the job. Though it might not be a guaranteed ticket in, it shows that you are willing to go a step further than most job candidates. So grab your camera, get creative and go get that job. Good luck!

Eugene Lim is a marketing intern at Software Advice, a company that reviews and compares HR software. Read her full blog post here.

Check out what Mark Leruste has to say on video CV's when Jobhop interviewed him.

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