Do's and Don'ts for a video resume

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Video Resume is the new buzz in the corporate world and if you want to succeed in this, you need to understand do's and don'ts of building a video resume.

DO'S

  • Be professional: Dress as you would for an interview and maintain a professional demeanor. Avoid slang and, of course, cursing. Be cautious when it comes to jokes. What's funny to you may not make others laugh. 
  • Find a good background: Pay attention to the background of shots: make sure it looks tidy and that there are no noises in the background. You'll also want to make sure the lighting is good. A shadow across half of your face can be distracting.  
  • Prepare a script: Don't ad-lib your video. You want to seem natural and off the cuff, but should have a sense of what you want to say and how you want to phrase it. Do not read directly from a script or from your resume, as that leads to a dull video. Think of the video as a pitch for why particular company should hire you. As such, your main objective should be to express what benefits you'll provide the company, as well as your goals, skills, and accomplishments. 
  • Know your audience: As you plan your script and filming location, consider who will watch the video and calibrate accordingly. For instance, a video prepared for a position at a bank might differ from a video created for a start-up.
  • Show, don't tell: Use visuals to illustrate what you're saying in the video script, ones that showcase your talents and skills. For instance, if you're applying for a job where presentations are a significant part of the role, you can film B-roll of yourself assembling a PowerPoint. If any of your presentations were recorded, use that footage in your video resume.
  • Keep it brief: Videos should be between 30 and 90 seconds. Anything longer than that is unlikely to be watched.
  • Share with friends and family: Getting feedback from others is an important step. Ask a few people to watch your video, and make edits and changes based on their comments. 

DON'TS

  • Incoherent- Do not make your video so complex that it is not easy to follow
  • Only Past: Do not state only the past experiences of your life. An employer also wants to know your future goals

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