When it comes to video resumes it seems like people have differing views. There’s one group of people urging people to get out there, use the technology available, and make them! While others are saying they give the company to much to judge on, are often poorly made, and are more comedy then serious. Therefore I’ve learned that there are few important things to remember when it comes to making a video resume:
- Look the part: Be sure to dress appropriately just like I was going on a regular interview
- Be sure to make it short and sweet: When recruiters read a resume they can flip through it at their own pace and the video should not be long either
- Make the video count: If you’re making a video resume it needs to discuss things that are not normally listed on your resume. The recruiter needs to feel like they benefited from the video resume otherwise you could have just sent a paper resume.
What is the key “message” (or two) you want readers to glean from these resumes? Obviously my main message behind my resume is that I want the readers to see me as a valuable addition to their company. With any resume I produce I always have the main intent of convincing the reader that I’m the perfect match for the position.
What details do you need to include for the reader to understand your message? It’s not necessarily a ‘detail,’ but one aspect I try to include in my resumes is confidence. I want the reader to know that I know what I’m talking about. Another detail that is included is professionalism. It’s important for the first impression of yourself to be a good, rememberable one. I proofread my resumes, and get others to proofread my resumes to make sure they are free of spelling and grammar errors and to also make sure that everyone is easy to read and understand.
What images and other content might you include (especially content you can not normally include in a regular resume)? For the timeline/map and video I hope to be able to include content that will help me out in the long run with coming across as a desirable candidate. In the timeline/map I will include ALL work experience, both related and unrelated, which is not normally included in a resume. Most resumes only include most recent or the past work experience that is related. Including all work experience gives the employer an idea of what I’ve done in the past and what I have been able to take away from my past positions. Including this information in the timeline also gives the employer the chance to just ‘glance’ over the material instead of having flip from page to page.