HOW TO CREATE A VIDEO RESUME

& MASSIVELY UP YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING HIRED.

“89% of employers revealed that they would watch a video resume if it were submitted to them.”

- Vault Inc

I GOT A CALL-BACK

I put together this video resume that got me on LEGO's radar even after they closed applications.

And the best thing is, they reached out - probably out of curiosity.

WHAT IS A VIDEO RESUME?

A short video (30-120 seconds) that serves as a resume, a cover letter and a sound bite all into one.

Of course, having an awesome video resume does not guarantee you getting the job, but it gets you to stand out from the crowd and that might just be what you need to get that call-back.

The goal is to create a memorable first impression and ultimately get you that job you are excited about.

Man recording a video with a digital camera on a tripod, screen showing person talking.

WHY BOTHER CREATING ONE?

It’s a great way to stand out and show more of yourself in a way you couldn’t do through text on a page.

Also, since not many people are creating them yet, you’ll have little to no competition, which, in return, helps you stand out from the pile of plain vanilla around you.

SOME EXAMPLES

Here are a couple of examples of great video resumes. They all have their own style and story.

Maybe you’ll get some inspiration & a couple of ideas out of them.

AND YOU CAN DO THE SAME

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Vintage film camera on a green background.

CAMERA

Your phone works. Your webcam works. Your DSLR camera works. They all work. The best camera is the one you have available and know how to use.

Pencil and spiral notebook on pastel background.

PEN & PAPER

Or something to take notes with. To jot down your insights & ideas, your script, or maybe even a storyboard of which shots you want when.

A realistic brain model on a blue plate.

A BRAIN

This is where the magic is made. Tap into it. Ask it questions like: “How can I grab the attention here?” and guess what, your brain always answers. Have some fun.

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN

NOte that Some companies & industries are more receptive to video resumes than others.

It’s a good idea to research the company culture before deciding to submit one.

There are many ways to skin a cat, but below is a guideline you can start with:

A man in a white shirt sitting at a desk, looking at a laptop while holding a cup of coffee, with a window and a plant in the background.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

You could create a generic video resume, but I recommend tweaking it for a specific industry, company, role, or person.

In that case, start with some desk research to find out what is going on in their world, note their language, and find any points you can connect to.

For instance, if the company is big on sustainability, and you have experience in this area, you will want to ramp that up in the video.

_________________________________________________________

A woman sitting at a desk writing in a notebook with a laptop open next to her. The desk also has a phone, glasses, a yellow coffee cup, scissors, and rolls of twine.

CREATE YOUR STORY

That’s right, it’s a story. People remember stories better than loose details. Write a script.

Either word for word, or key ideas you can talk around. Winging it is not a good strategy here; you want it to be punchy, yet still a story.

Of course, create your own, but if you want some guidelines, here is a structure that works:

  1. A catchy opener to grab the attention within the first 7 seconds. My suggestion is to look at how your top YouTubers do that.

  2. What role you are applying for and why you are excited about it. After all, if you are not excited, why would they be about you?

  3. Why you should be considered for this role. This is where you toot your own horn. Show (don’t just tell) what you can bring to table.

  4. A call to action. What do you want them to do? Call you? Check out your website? Invite you for a chat? Have a clear want at the end.

  5. Thank them for watching and leave your preferred contact details, so they can easily contact you.

Go through your story a couple of times and clean it up as you go.

Remember it’s not about telling everything about you; it’s about sharing a sound bite that makes them want to know more about you.

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Man in plaid suit adjusting his tie in front of a mirror inside a room with wooden and concrete walls.

PREP FOR RECORDING

Pick a place with nice lighting. Maybe face the window or use the lights in your space. Choose a background that is conducive of your message. If in doubt, a neutral, clean background usually works.

Set up your recording gear. Maybe it’s a smartphone on a stand. Maybe you use your webcam. Maybe you have a nice mirrorless camera. They all work.

To make the best of your sound, get close to the mic and turn off devices that interfere.

When it comes to what to wear, I don’t believe in hard rules, but pick something you would wear to a face-to-face interview for this role.

Oh, one thing: avoid wearing anything with stripes as that looks weird on video, like this.

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Person recording video with smartphone placed in ring light, bookshelf in background.

SHOOT YOUR VIDEO

Hit record, look into the lens and go through your story. You don’t have to do this in one take (which is infinitely harder), but rather do several takes.

It might take you a while to get the language down and to get into the flow of things. This is all part of the creative process. Keep smilin’.

You can record the whole thing several times and take out the bits you think are best in editing.

Once you think you have enough footage, check and make sure all is good before you tidy up.

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Close-up of a video editing software timeline with multiple tracks, showing edited segments, waveforms, and project layers in various colors like pink and green.

EDIT YOUR FOOTAGE

Then it’s time to edit. Using your script, you can cut and assemble the footage to fit the story.

Take out all the dead bits and piece the bits together into a logical flow.

Most devices will have built-in editing software, but here is a list of video editing apps to consider.

You can add other footage or images to bring the points to life. E.g. if you say you volunteer at an animal shelter, show your work in action. Don’t tell them, but show them.

Here is a video with The Only 5 Editing Skills You Need.

And if editing is too much of a headache to you, you could always outsource your editing on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

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Person taking notes in a meeting with a laptop and notebooks on the table

ASK FOR FEEDBACK

Share your video with a few trusted people and get some feedback.

Is it clear? Does it convey the right energy? Am I missing anything? Is the style appropriate?

You might really love your work, but remember that it’s about creating a great first impression and getting invited to talk more.

Take the points and adjust accordingly.

_________________________________________________________

Close-up of a black U.S. mailbox with a red flag, house and trees in background.

JUST SEND IT!

Once you are happy with it, share your video resume with the right people.

Share a QR code or link that leads to your video (on Google Drive, YouTube, LinkedIn or other platforms), rather than sending the video file by email.

If you are applying for a job, your application will likely land in an applicant tracking system (ATS). This software automatically sorts and filters resumes, so make sure to accompany the video with some form of text document as well.

Just in case they don’t (or can’t) watch the video.

WANNA LEARN VIDEO MAKINg?

LEARN THE TOOLS, SKILLS & CONFIDENCE YOU NEED TO CREATE ENGAGING VIDEOS AND GROW YOUR BRAND - ALL FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR SOFA.

HAVE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT.

What you’ll learn

  • Get the confidence to be on camera through little challenges.

  • Understand what makes for a great story, how to pick your audience, etc.

  • Gain a solid understanding of video, like camera settings, lighting, framing & audio.

  • You'll get comfortable shooting & editing videos on both a phone and a computer.

  • And lots of extras like camera tricks, using props, transitions, and much more.