Video is the new Black. Right? I mean when you see that “play button” triangle, aren’t you just compelled to click it?
Video is the highest online activity, according to Pew International’s recent report. No wonder we are seeing so many video résumés these days.
In fact, I did a search for “video résumé” on Youtube and got 14,600 results!
Most of them SUCK!
Let’s think about this for a second. If a résumé does a horrible job communicating personality, why would you think reading your résumé on camera would be any better?
Most video résumés are bland, and have no narrative quality, no drama, and zero entertainment factor.
The sad part is, all the tutorials on how to do an online résumé want you to read your paper résumé looking at the camera, with a suit and tie in monotone voice.
It’s like we forgot what makes good film interesting; factors like drama, narrative, characters and visual effects. The film industry has it down to a formula — haven’t you noticed that most of the movies that came out last year were all identical? (just kidding, there were actually some really great films this year … but still.)
Why do we think being professional means having no personality?
The following are the top 3 mistakes video résumés make and what you can do differently.
Video Résumé Mistake 1: Read Your Résumé to the Camera
This is the most common video résumé mistake – boring. Remember in your creative writing class, when they told you, “Show it, don’t tell it”?
Video gives you so much opportunity to show and demonstrate who you are. I mean, you may or may not be handsome or pretty and all that, but people want to see and experience when they watch a video. If you wear your suit and begin rattling off your past experiences, don’t expect people to watch longer than 10 or 20 seconds. HR professionals are busy people.
Antidote:
- Use drama to hook them right away. This one is funny — not very professional but full of drama, Ray’s Résumé
- Use video testimonials from past bosses or old co-workers for social proof
- Show footage of your old company’s offices, websites or products to visually represent your experiences
- Don’t just tell them about it — be creative and find a way to demonstrate what you do well. One of my favorite examples of this: Pizza Hut Résumé
Video Résumé Mistake 2: Ignore Your Personality
Your personality is going to be one of the ONLY things that differentiate you in today’s “employer’s market.” Believe me, there will always be someone more experienced, more educated, and more qualified than you. But there will never be another you.
Stare at the camera and rattle on about your education and you’ll be shut down FAST.
Antidote
- Focus on character development, Ben’s Résumé focuses on personality up front
- How does your video image tie into your brand? Guatam’s Résumé is in black & white, and remains professional, yet manages to communicate why he is different from everyone else.
- Here’s a perfect example of PERSONALITY: How Geeks Look for Work
Video Résumé Mistake 3: Single Shot
Most video résumés are single shot and single take, even though most computers these days come with free video editing software (yes, even Windows comes with this stuff these days).
Film is supposed to be visually interesting, so even if you don’t want to use a soundtrack, you should at least use a B-Roll. B-roll is when you cut away to another image to create a sense of transition, and more practically to cover up a bad take.
Antidote:
- Film your résumé in at least two locations and cut between both on the final product
- Don’t be afraid to use headlines and subtitles in the film to create context and transition
- Vary your costume and setting to create an illusion of the passing of time
Just Do It
Chances are you are not going to get it right the first time. Most people take the easy way out, put on a suit and tie, stare at the camera, and read. This is a cop-out. Put some effort into your video presentation.
Your first results may be terrible. But keep trying.
My friend and fellow Social Media Trainer Laura Roeder is fond of saying that if you are comfortable on film, then practice getting better. If you are not comfortable, then practice getting comfortable.
If you are inspired to start your video résumé, I’d love to see! Please send me the link in the comments below.
I do agree with the common mistakes for video resumes, thanks for sharing the information.
I’m surprised I haven’t come across a video resume in any of my positions. @JoshuaWaldman , what type of career fields would require a video resume? Would you suggest doing a video resume before you’re asked, in order to stand out?
@KelseyLibert Kelsey, don’t think video resumes are required except for video production jobs. They are really used as an augmentation to a traditional application. If it’s done well, it can help you stand out of the crowd. If it’s done poorly, it can disqualify you. My advice is if you are going to use video, invest in making it amazing.
Joshua I SO enjoyed watching all these videos, great examples and guidelines! I wish clinical research applicants were this creative ? Kobie @WannabeEmployee
@WannabeEmployee Cool! Maybe clinical research applicants would benefit from joining the Career Enlightenment community 🙂
Awesome piece Joshua, Thank you. My response is a bit of topic as I will draw the parallel to professionally produced videos. I am an instructor at the LCC and the U of O, but part of my duties also entail creating Professional Development Units via internet video training. In order for your message to be take seriously your image on the screen needs to be just a creative and dynamic as you would be in real life. Or better stated if you are not capable standing in front of the camera and BEING interesting you have no business there in the first place.
You are so correct Joshua when you said that most of them SUCK. Just because you have a digital camera and a computer doesn’t mean you have the skills to create an effective medium for delivering that message. Hire a professional to help you, specially if you are really trying to show your true skills to a prospective employer.
Exactly true with resumes as well. If you can’t make your resume shine, hire a resume writer. All of these services have direct financial feedback….ie. you get employed faster!
Check out Videobio.com and tell them I sent you!
How Geeks Look for Work — Joshua, that's hysterical, and really beyond creative. I'd hire the guy!
Great advice! I’m a novice at iMovie, but seeing all these video resumes is quite motivating. I might have to give it a go!
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..One Last Thing =-.
Mike, good call on the ghetto teleprompter. You can do this even better with Joshua’s #3 tip. Only instead of shooting B-Roll, shoot yourself reading your script once in medium shot and once in tight close-up. Then you can cut back and forth (as in Guatam’s video) during the um’s & ah’s.
Tape’s cheap. I usually shoot a couple of hours of video before turning it into 15 minutes of finished product. Clever shooting means no mistakes in the final product.
.-= William @ DIY Video Marketing´s last blog ..Newspapers Doomed, TV Next =-.
Using two locations is a good idea. Maybe one indoor and one outdoor. William’s comments are gold. Tripods are CHEAP. No reason not to use one. And light is absolutely critical.
What about writing out a script and taping it to the front of the camera just below the lens? You know, a ghetto teleprompter. I know that when I have attempted to do video without scripting, I have ended up with a lot of “um” and “ah” and awkward pauses. Working out what you plan to say in advance helps a lot.
.-= Mike Stankavich´s last blog ..Home Networking Versus Voluntary Simplicity =-.
William,
Great tips. Thanks for adding those!
Guatam’s is by far the best. The others would benefit by avoiding two more mistakes:
4) TRIPOD. Compressed web video does poorly with motion. Holding the camera in your hand adds more motion and degrades the image. It also has unintended associations with cheap horror movies and frontline journalism.
5) LIGHTS! I like the conception behind Ben’s resume and dislike the execution. Shooting in a dark house– at night– makes the image look twice as bad. I don’t think he should go out and rent a light kit, but using sunlight would help. And shooting during the early morning or late evening hours, when light’s softer and warmer, makes a huge difference.
Looking at Guatam’s again, it’s the best because it’s controlled. Him speaking, closeup of his face. The black & white and nervous cuts make it look like the style in ESPN interviews. To get to his level of craft from the other three is not that hard. And it shows he’s actually got the attention to detail everyone says they do on their resumes…
.-= William @ DIY Video Marketing´s last blog ..Newspapers Doomed, TV Next =-.
Interesting tips! I especially liked Guatam’s resume.
.-= Charlotte´s last blog ..Giving Up =-.