Video Resumes: What Are They & How to Create

In today’s highly competitive job market, a good resume is key to making you stand out. While traditional paper or electronic resumes remain popular, a creative alternative worth considering is video resume. Video resumes are becoming an increasingly popular way to showcase your skills and personality to potential employers.

If you’re interested in exploring this format, this article will walk you through all the queries you wanted to know about video resumes to get your dream job, including: What is a video resume and what should it contain? How to create a video resume? And the benefits of video resumes for job applications.

Read on to know more!

Table of Contents:

What Is A Video Resume?

Video resumes are short and creative video presentations in which a job seeker introduces themselves to potential employers or recruiters. In a video resume, individuals showcase their qualifications, skills, personality, and enthusiasm in a dynamic and visually engaging format.

In addition to the traditional type of a video resume where you speak in front of a camera, there are various styles one can use when creating a video resume, including:

• Whiteboard Animation

This type of video features static images being drawn on the screen, often accompanied by narration.

• Animation Video

This style of video is created using original designs, illustrations, drawings, or computer-generated effects, and typically follows a specific style.

• Stop-motion Video

This filmmaking process brings inanimate objects to life through a series of still photographs.

These options offer a creative and engaging alternative to the traditional resume format, allowing individuals to showcase their skills and experience in a more dynamic and visually appealing way.

How to Make A Video Resume?

Creating a resume video is different from designing a resume or writing a cover letter. It requires equipment preparation and some skills such as visual narrative and editing. Also, before submitting your video resume, consider whether it is relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, if the position you are applying for is related to photography, editing, speaking, etc., then a video resume will help you.

Here are the steps to create a video resume:

1. Plan Your Content

Determine the key points you want to convey, such as your skills, qualifications, work experience, and career goals. Think about your target audience and what they would want to see in your video resume. Furthermore, keep it concise, aim for a video length of 1-2 minutes.

2. Write Video Resume Script

Create a script that outlines what you will say in your video, such as bullet points of the specific skills, experiences, and qualifications you want to highlight.

Use a conversational tone and avoid reading directly from the script or sounds like you are reciting, cause this could come across as unprofessional and detract from how you want to portray yourself to potential employers.

3. Choose a Suitable Space

Find a well-lit and quiet location for recording to ensure good video and audio quality. You should avoid distracting backgrounds and noisy environments.

4. Prepare Your Recording Equipment

Choose a recording device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or camera, that can capture high-quality images and audio to ensure that your video and your voice are clear. Note that the height of the device needs to ensure that your face and shoulders are exposed. If you’re incorporating action shots into your video, make sure the device captures you in full.

5. Record Your Video and Showcase Visual

Use a natural tone of voice and body language to tell your story. You can record more different clips and then choose the best-performing ones from them. Also, don’t forget to add some visual elements to your video. You can insert infographics, photos, and other elements to help give your resume video additional information depending on the content of the video.

6. Edit the Video

Now that you have recorded your introduction video, it’s time to refine and edit it.

Clipfly is an all-in-one video editor that is easy to use for everyone. Explore the wide range of video editing tools to trim, cut, and arrange your video clips.

With an extensive library of elements at your disposal, you can add smooth transitions, graphics, or effects to your video. Additionally, you can enhance the storytelling by adding caption overlays, making your video more accessible and engaging for your audience.

Don’t forget to add some personal touch. For example, show your personality and enthusiasm for the job and company, or highlight what sets you apart from other candidates.

What Should You Include in Your CV Videos?

• Introduction

The video begins with the candidate introducing themselves by stating their name and providing some basic personal information, such as their current job title, location, and a brief summary of their background.

• Professional Background

Job seekers can discuss their educational background, work experience, and relevant qualifications. They might highlight their career achievements, previous roles, and any specialized skills or certifications.

• Skills and Accomplishments

Candidates can use the video to showcase specific skills, accomplishments, or projects that are relevant to the job they are seeking. Visual aids such as charts, graphs, or images may be included to support their narrative.

• Motivation and Fit

This section allows candidates to explain why they are interested in the particular job or company and how their skills and personality align with the organization’s culture and values.

• Contact Information

The video typically concludes with a brief summary of the candidate’s key points and their contact information, including email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile.

Why Create A Video Resume?

Here are some benefits of creating a video resume:

• Better Showcase Your Personality

Traditional resumes can be dry and impersonal. A video resume allows you to convey your personality and enthusiasm, helping potential employers get a better sense of who you are as a person.

• Highlight Your Skills

You can visually demonstrate your skills and accomplishments, making it easier for employers to understand what you bring to the table.

• Make Your Stand Out

With so many job applicants, it’s crucial to stand out. A well-crafted video resume can help you catch the hiring manager’s attention.

• Engage the Viewer

Videos are more engaging than text. A compelling video can make a memorable impression on the employer.

Video Resume Examples to Get Inspired

The following are two good video resume samples from YouTube, let’s watch them and perhaps they can get you inspired.

1. Denny Kremblas

This is a cinematic video resume. As you can see, Denny Kremblas is a filmmaker in the field of video production, and in this video, he details his experience and lessons learned about video production to give employers a clearer picture of his work background.

In addition, at the end of the video, he provides his contact information and links to his video creations, which will be very helpful for interested employers to get in touch and check out more of his work.

2. Pervin Yabut

This is a short but to-the-point video CV. Pervin Yabut utilizes condensed text overlays to introduce his name age and degree and reinforces the important elements of his resume with bolding and fancy fonts. Incorporating the presentation makes his video more good to watch.

Final Words

Video resumes are a powerful tool to help you stand out in the competitive job market. When done correctly, they can provide employers with a well-rounded view of your qualifications and personality. By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to creating a compelling video resume that can help you land your dream job.