Interpersonal skills have become a must for a job interview and the workplace. Hiring managers prefer video resumes as the best option to assess their future employees. Job aspirants need to learn and practice how to make a video resume if they want to stand apart from the competition.
Gradually video resumes are becoming mandatory from an optional form of resume, a few years back. A video resume is vital because you can practically show your communication skills, gestures, posture etc. It is much better and useful for recruiters in comparison with a written resume.
Let’s go through a step-by-step process to learn how to make a video resume.
Prepare a script
In any video, the script is the most crucial part of the preparation. Write down what you want to do in a video resume, whether you want to sit and speak or display creative skills in action. Write every step in a chronological manner.
How you want to speak is also a part of the video resume. Preferably, you should sound more professional and formal. Write down bullet points and rehearse by yourself or a friend. The way of speaking and writing should be in the active voice; it shows confidence and preparation.
Surround setup
Ensure a noise-free, less congested, clean surrounding. If you will make a resume in a room, keep minimum things in the background. Recruiters who are going to watch the video should not get distracted by the background.
If possible, don’t allow any person in the room during the making of the video resume. Keep the background neutral with enough light for clear video. Your body position, facial expression etc., should be visible and understandable.
Audio Setup
After script and surround setup, it’s time to check audio devices and placement. Decide devices for recordings, such as a tablet, smartphone, and laptop. Check the sound and surrounding noise of the device. The sound should be clear and understandable.
Placement of the device is crucial. It should be far away enough to record your complete image with sitting position, hand movement, and facial expression. It should not be too close or too far. Place the device and check your position before making a video resume.
Record several videos
Record several resume videos from different expressions, script, and angles. For resume videos where you are in a sitting position, try different body language, facial expression, way to answer, and content of replies. If you are showing some technical skill or creative skill, use different props and arrangements.
The purpose of making different resumes is to shortlist the best expression, the professional tone for the final copy of the video resume.
Additional information and data
One of the prominent advantages of a video resume is that you can include slides, graphs, and data to support your skills, achievement, projects, etc. To do so, collect all the relevant information and documents before shooting a video resume.
These additional elements, such as infographics, images etc., will be a great differentiator for your job prospects. Every employer for all job roles prefers candidates with practical experience, which is the best way to show working experience.
Edit the video resume
You have made a script, adjusted the surround and audio setting, device placement, collected required images and graphs, and now edited the video resume. Several companies provide a video editor with their devices; check on the digital device, and if there is software for editing, you can use it.
Go through all the copies of video resumes and choose the best version for editing. Start editing based on script and bullet points. You can share images and infographics while speaking in the video to make the video more engaging and interactive.
There are several available for compiling video. You can use one of this software to edit and prepare a final copy. This software is customized as per the recruiter’s requirements, modern changes in job role, and workplace environment.
Feedback time
After making the final copy of the video resume, ask for review and feedback from co-workers, friends, and anybody you want. Hear them out, take their criticism as an opportunity to improvise.
Note down all the points raised by your friend, such as aggressive voice, blurred images, noise in the background etc., and rectify them. Finalize an engaging, effective, and relevant video resume for the future employer.
Tips for creating a video resume
- If you are attaching a video resume with a written resume, focus on one important project or assignment and speak about that only in a short video resume. If you are making a complete resume on video, stick to the most relevant qualifications, projects, work experience, and skill-set.
- Reading and understanding guidelines given in the job description by the company is vital. Speak on relevant topics and skills, which are in the job description from the recruiter. If the company has mentioned any specific requirement, skill-set, demonstrate in the video resume.
- Speak about your hobbies and interests relevant to the job role in the video. You should also mention how you are going to utilize those hobbies and interests at the workplace. For example, if you are good at team-based sports, you can utilize teamwork skills during project work.
- You must look professional through dress and accessories. Your body language should be calm, composed, and confident. Speak about yourself, experiences, education and other sections with confidence.
- Any fumbling or stopping in mid-way can prove to be bad for your candidature.
Conclusion
Video resume requires creation when the recruiter specifically asks for it, or you need to add a video with a written resume to showcase a particular skill or for creative job roles. Now, if you have an idea about how to make a video resume, start planning and compile an engaging and effective resume for better career prospects.
