7 Video Resume Tips That Will Get You Hired

A video resume is a short video that explains your skills, experience and educational background and is intended to be an applicant’s first interaction with a potential employer. If you’re comfortable using a computer for day-to-day tasks, you should already be able to make a video resume by yourself. If not, it might be worth asking a relative or friend help you. There are also professional videographers who can probably contribute a higher skill level, although this choice may be an expensive one. Many basic digicams today record video of a high enough quality that they can be used for a video resume. Simply download the video to your computer and review it for audio quality and image focus.

Video Resume Tip #1: Take care of audio quality

Audio quality is very important, because anyone who sees your video resume must be able to clearly hear what you are saying from the very moment the video plays, or they probably won't finish watching it. Microphones on video cameras or digicams can pick up noise from almost any source, so the room where you do the video recording must be very quiet. For example, the sound of a dog barking outside or a plane flying over just when you are talking will be recorded in your video. These extra sounds will be distracting to viewers, and it will make you look less professional. Any distracting sounds, such as a loud car or truck driving by, a crying baby, talking in the next room or a toilet flushing can show up as background noise, so it is very important to only record in a quiet space. To achieve the best sound, place the camera close to you or talk into a microphone that is plugged directly into your camera or computer. A lavalier microphone clipped to a shirt will work very well for picking up your voice.



Video Resume Tip #2: Critique your video carefully

Critique your video carefully before uploading or sharing it. This can be challenging because we often don't see little things that might make us look unprofessional or even silly. In fact, because most of us don't make videos –let alone video resumes– often, the first couple of videos we make of ourselves may turn out to be unintentionally silly. Just because we are shooting the video at home or in another place we are comfortable doesn't mean we should show our guitar collection or that we like to make fruit smoothies. This is why bringing in an outside perspective is key.

Video Resume Tip #3: Research the potential employer firstly


Carefully research the potential employer first to get a good idea what they do and what their office culture is like. You don't want to wear a t-shirt and jeans in a video resume for a top law firm or an accounting agency. If you’re applying to work at a technology company as a programmer it may not necessary to put on a full suit, but a shirt with a collar and pants other than jeans are still preferable. The important thing to remember is to match your video presentation to the organization where you are applying, while still being yourself. Be creative, but if a third party says that it’s embarrassing or cringe worthy, take the hint and tone it down.

Video Resume Tip #4: Speak naturally

Speak naturally, don't just read your resume. You may have heard the phrase, 'everyone's favorite subject is themselves. 'After you have read through your resume several times to yourself, you may want to do your video more in the style of a biography, sharing some of your professional history to illustrate what projects you have worked on, what your successes were and what your interests are.

Be yourself, so that if you get an in-person interview there aren't any surprises or disappointments on either side. The point of not merely reading from your resume is that the viewer gets to see how you express yourself in your own voice. Anyone can do a "newsreader" approach to making a video resume, so viewers will probably appreciate authentic expression instead. Be yourself, so that if you get an in-person interview there aren't any surprises or disappointments on either side. The point of not merely reading from your resume is that the viewer gets to see how you express yourself in your own voice. Anyone can do a "newsreader" approach to making a video resume, so viewers will probably appreciate authentic expression instead.

Video Resume Tip #5:Keep your eyes trained on the camera

Make sure to look into the camera and not down at the floor or up at the ceiling. Keep your eyes trained on the camera lens and look into it as if you were looking at a person. If your eyes are not looking into the camera the viewer will not have any sense of connection with you. Don’t speak too quickly. This is a typical nervous reaction to being videotaped or evaluated, but it can make it more difficult to be understood. Allow yourself to slow down and breathe normally while you are speaking.The wall behind you should be bare or have very little on it because any details can divert attention away from you. Don't make your video in a hurry; your lack of preparedness and resulting anxiety will show up on camera. Give yourself permission to start far in advance and prepare carefully.

 Video Resume Tip #6: Make short video

Shorter is better, because the video will be more focused and cover only what is essential. A one to three-minute video is generally the ideal length. Rambling on and on isn't going to impress anyone, and may even be considered off-putting, resulting in no invitation for a second interview. The video resume is meant to be short and is used to determine whether you make it to the next stage in the interview process; not to decide if you are going to get the job.

 Video Resume Tip #7: Share in appropriate content website

If you are going to upload your video to a sharing site like YouTube, or Facebook, then make sure there is no embarrassing or inappropriate content involving you anywhere on the site. If there is some, the potential employer may see it and be turned off.


In an increasingly global job market, the appearance of better communication technology is making media like the video interview the wave of the future. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll stay ahead of the curve when it comes to job hunting.

By Sara Collins


Sara Collins is a writer for NerdWallet, a site dedicated to helping consumers find the best mortgage rates.

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