Remember when Elle’s video CV got her into Harvard Law School in Legally Blonde? Her application was so different from the usual that the interview panel chose to select her despite her unimpressive credentials.
Your CV, or cover letter, in audiovisual format may do the same thing, making hiring managers sit up and take attention – and giving you a chance at that desired interview.
The internet has made it much simpler to identify job vacancies, but it has also made it more difficult to acquire those positions as you have to frequently compete with hundreds of other applications. It’s no surprise that hiring managers look at each CV for an average of 6 seconds. You must find a method to stand out if you want to receive more interviews, and a vid CV can help you accomplish that.
Is Video Resume A Good Idea?
You may think creating a video resume might be time-consuming and as it is a very new strategy this might intimidate you to give it a try. You may not also be a camera-friendly person, but we are sharing below a few advantages that will inspire you to create your video cover letter or CV with an online video editor for your next job interview
1. Demonstrate Your Creativity
A video is an excellent approach to exhibit your social skills and professionalism while applying for employment in the hotel industry.
2. Shows That You’re Connected
It can demonstrate your knowledge of current trends if you’re searching for a job in marketing or public relations.
3. Illustrates Your Technological Prowess
Even if the job you’re going for has nothing to do with technology, the more you can illustrate that you know, the better.
4. Proves Your Ability To Communicate Verbally
Companies need candidates with strong verbal communication abilities for almost every role, but notably sales, management, and client-facing positions.
5. Illustrates Your Linguistic Abilities
If you’re searching for a job in a foreign nation and know the language well, a video clip is an excellent way to show your proficiency.
6. Demonstrates A Readiness To Take A Chance
Taking a risk on anything new is necessary. Share your unique CV with the hiring manager to showcase your willingness to take risks–it might be the differentiator between getting the job and not getting it.
Should I Create A Resume Video?
For job searchers, creating a video bio is an optional endeavor. Companies rarely require or request candidates to submit one. According to a Robert Half poll, the majority of employers (78 percent) prefer traditional resumes in Word or PDF format and only 3% welcome a film or an infographic.
We have already shared in the above section how a video CV can be an advantage to some people but it’s not universal as it might not help you advance your candidacy if your function isn’t extremely visible.
6. Great Strategies For Creating A Video CV
It might be intimidating if you’ve never created a video before, and you may not know where to begin. Here are six helpful hints to get you started.
7. Build a story
Make up a tale. A CV is a great method to highlight something from your past that will impress the hiring manager, especially if you present it as a narrative. If you’re having problems determining what to talk about, develop a background overview and consider how your experiences are related. Include what you have learned in the past which will help you excel in this new role.
8. Be concise
Limit your video résumé to two minutes or less; anything longer is not feasible as recruiting managers are busy people. Studies found that the best video duration for maximum audience engagement is 1-2 minutes, with 60 – 90 seconds being the perfect timing.
9. Make it professional
Maintain a professional approach and dress as if you were going to an interview. Avoid slang and curses. When it comes to humor, be cautious. What you find amusing may not be funny to others.
10. Get a decent backdrop
Pay attention to the backdrop of your shots: make sure it’s clean and free of unwanted noises. You’ll also want to make certain that the lighting is sufficient. It might be annoying to have a shadow over half of your face.
11. Use your imagination
Making a video by itself will not help you stand out as many individuals are creating video bio these days. When it comes to recording your video, think outside the box and be unique.
12. Be very specific
Create a unique video Curriculum vitae for each job you apply for an engaging response. You’ll be able to highlight how your past qualifies you for that specific position, and you can even include a sentence or two explaining why you want to work for the organization. For example, if a job posting specifies that project management expertise is required, discuss a project you managed.
13. Provide a call-to-action
Close with a call-to-action, a line or two that explains the next step and inspires viewers to do it. You may, for instance, request that the recruiting manager looks at your LinkedIn page to examine the rest of your work history. A strong call-to-action may make the difference between a video that gets results and one that only entices the hiring manager.
The Don’ts You Must Know
- Do not mix your personal and professional lives. If there’s anything on your Facebook or Twitter profile that you don’t want employers to see, don’t connect your video CV to it.
- Your resume in audiovisual format will not be able to take the place of your standard resume. Some businesses are skeptical about them, while others are concerned about discrimination concerns, such as employing someone based on how they appear and sound rather than their skills. A good video, on the other hand, can help you land a job.
An audiovisual resume may not be essential but that can help you in your professional journey.