Do you have any idea how many resumes every job position receives? Most of them sound like they’ve been written by a robot.
Enter video! Video is the most exciting way of presenting yourself to a prospective employer. So, how do you do this?
Do Your Research
Your first step is: due diligence. Get answers to these questions:
- What is the exact position they are seeking to fill? Does it fit you well? Be selective. How many points of intersection are there between what you offer and what the particular position demands?
- What is the company culture like?
- What’s the normal dress code in the office? Jeans? Button-down shirts? Roller skates?
Pick Your Setting
Pick a background for your interview that is a match to the job you’re interviewing for. If it’s an office job, pick a quiet professional looking space as a background. If an office is not available, a blank wall is best – this way, you are the center of attention. If the job requires outdoor skills and you have a clip of you rock climbing, edit it into the video. Do they like the fact you are bilingual? Show a quick clip of you interviewing/speaking in your second language.
What to Wear
Wear what the company wears. If you’re looking at a company that has casual Friday dress every day, wear a great pair of jeans and an open neck shirt or a T-shirt. If it’s sharp looking suits and silk ties, go for it.
Look like the position you are proposing to fill. Wear solid, flattering colors, no prints – unless your co-workers will be wearing Hawaiian shirts 😉 Never be upstaged by what you are wearing, by your location, by noise, by hair or heavy makeup. Even though something may look wonderful in person, it may not look good on camera. Don’t wear anyone’s logo – you’re not being paid to advertise.
Short and sweet
You only need a 1:30 to 2-minute film. The most important ingredient in this video is you! Your prospective employer needs to know who you are not only the skills you possess.
Is a video resume for everyone or every position? No, it’s not. If you are applying for a research position and will be working solo, it may not be a help. If you are dealing with the public, it is an asset. Give this medium a try and ask two or three people you trust to check your video and see what they think.
Ready to Film
Write down the questions that show you fit the job. Practice running the answers until you are very comfortable. Please don’t memorize your script; be real.
Use your phone or tablet and record your video several times. Pick the best take. Record it again until you leave out ummms and ahhhs and you knows. Speak to someone you love. Be direct, friendly and above all, authentic. Be YOU! Everybody else is already taken.
Ask me questions, I’m here for you.
