Introduction to Creating a Video Resume

With the onset of high-speed broadband Internet usage, higher-quality video technology, and the increased enthusiasm for online video sharing, some job seekers took a different route and marketed themselves to potential employers through video resumes.

A video resume is a short video created by a candidate for employment that describes the individual’s skills and qualifications. It is typically used to supplement a traditional resume.

Creating a video resume has in a way put some job candidates ahead of the competition. However, do note that a video resume is not the only way of getting a job but it may assist you in marketing yourself to prospective employers as long as your video is done right. If your video resume is made poorly, not only it would hinder your chances of getting an interview but it would may also be passed around as a bad running joke (and you’d be scarred for life).

So what are the basic tips in creating a well-presented video resume?

Be professional – Dress professionally in a business attire, just like in any in-person interview. You can either sit or stand behind a neutral background so potential employers would not be distracted looking at the pictures of relatives behind you. Make sure that the shooting location is devoid of any background noise (television turned on, passing cars, crying children, etc). Make use of ample lighting so that the viewer could see your face clearly. Look straight into the camera, just like you would when facing the interviewer.

Keep your video resume short – A video resume between one to three minutes is enough. Anything longer than that would take away precious time from the employer.

Speak clearly – Just like in any job interview, speak in an audible voice. Avoid speaking too fast and too gentle, as you do not want employers to keep on reseting the video when they can’t hear any.

Practice – You have the luxury of time of rehearsing what you are about to say. Practice how you are going to say it (even referring to your script). After the shoot and you feel that you did not do your best, then practice again before reshooting. You need to make your video resume as close to perfect.

What to say – You can begin your video resume by mentioning your full name, where you graduated, and what industry you intend to apply. Then, create a speech as if you are answering several job interview questions that you think is vital in your intended industry. Discuss in the video why you would be a good employee and what you can do for the company that hires you. Please do note to avoid reading your answers from a script, as you need to make your speech delivered in a conversational tone.

Avoid getting too stiff – A video resume is not a type of screen test where you audition as an actor. Keep yourself reasonably relaxed during the shoot and let your real positive personality shine through.

Avoid getting personal – If you know how to play the piano, don’t do it in the video resume unless you are applying for a hotel lobby pianist. Even though a video resume is a creative way to present yourself to the job market, that does not mean you need to make your video “overly creative” by showing off your pets, lifting weights, and or having yourself jump from a bridge.

Wrap it up – Before ending the video resume, thank the viewer for considering you for employment. Mention how you would be contacted, either saying that it is attached on your word resume or through other online means. You can also include your contact information on the video itself.

Upload it – After you have shot and edited your video resume, upload it in some career networking sites like Jobster and MyWorkster. Do not forget to attach your word resume as well in the site. You can also upload your video to your own web site and link to it from there. With the popularity of YouTube, several video resumes are also uploaded but it is strongly recommended to disable comments and ratings in your video resume.

Posting Your CV Online

Many job openings are being posted over the Internet. Job seekers should be able to keep up with the trends and times in order to find the best employment opportunities whenever possible. Here are some suggestions when it comes to putting up your job resume online.Keep it simple – Unlike online profiles in social networks or blogs, you don’t need to include some fancy flash texts, colored backgrounds, or some goldfish floating around in the screen when you put up your online resume. Computers need different styles of presentation and in order for majority of computers could open your CV the format should be at its lowest. Anything more complicated than this would cut off some computers that do not have certain softwares that you used.

Use the right keywords – This is how you highlight your online resume instead of writing texts in boldface or italics like you would do in a normal CV. The need for including the right keywords is crucial because some employers would just search for a person with a certain field of experience or skill that they seek. For instance, a resume of a secretary should also include keywords such as office assistant, typist, stenographer, backend office, personal assistant, private assistant, executive assistant, among others. Make sure that you put up keywords that are related to your skills and not merely inventing them.

Summarize effectively – The shorter the online resume, the better. Just make sure you do not sacrifice the quality of the content.

List major skill in the beginning – One way of presenting keywords on your online CV is to insert a list of your main skills in the beginning part.

Use the simplest format possible – Type your resume in plain text. Not every computer has the same list of font faces in their programs, and if you write your resume in a fancy text chances are only a few could read it. Also, do not use other typeset formats as it would confuse the reader while perusing the codes attached to it.

Provide a professional valid e-mail address – Attach an e-mail address using your name as the handle, such as “john.smith@email.com”. Don’t divulge your personal e-mail because you don’t want the employer get scared when they read your e-mail as “garbage_lover@zorg.com”. Don’t forget to include your phone number (home and or mobile) for immediate contact.

Have a hard copy ready – Once you get a call back for a job interview, print out a more comprehensive copy of your resume so you could submit it to your prospective employer once you meet.

Don’t send group e-mails – When applying for a job online, don’t submit it to different employers at the same time. Each job should have a separate e-mail with the resume uploaded separately as well. If the employer would request to have your CV “copied and pasted” on the e-mail, then do so.

Follow-up politely – You can try contacting the employer about 3 to 4 days after submitting your online resume. Ask them if they have received it and graciously thank them.

Avoiding Your CV to Appear Overqualified

At some point of your life, you may consider working for a job that is slightly below than your previous employment, reasons include having to enjoy certain benefits or plans of starting over. However, if you submit a resume that is overpowering, prospective employers might think you are underselling yourself and even might be considered as someone with low self-esteem or overall value. In this situation, you need to revise your CV in such a way that employers won’t think what is wrong with you.

Clearly state your acceptance – You should indicate in your cover letter or somewhere in your CV that you are aware of your qualifications exceeding the expectation of the job. After which, you need to explain why in spite of this fact you would still want to be considered for the opening.

Highlight your strongest skills and connect them to the company – Link these skills to the growth prospects in the company, implying that working for that company would actually make allowance for such a sacrifice on your part.

If you have an employment gap, inform them – You could say that after taking a breather from work for legitimate reasons (such as child rearing, spouse career support, launching business in the family, among others) you are looking forward to work again in the industry which was and is your first and last love. Make sure to match this with your career objective.

Put emphasis on your abilities – Explain that you are willing to work in a lesser position to test your abilities and attitude, highlighting the fact that you are very hardworking and that you would very soon be a highly valuable member of the organization. Take away the focus from your education qualifications by putting your skills and achievements that would match perfectly with the job requisites.

Flatter the company a little – Use the cover letter to prepare the employer for the discrepancy in the match by subtle flattery, saying that it is an honor to work in the company and such honor would far exceed the little inconvenience of a lesser designation. Show confidence that you will prove as an asset to the company.

Applying Your Military Career in a Civilian CV

Your career in the military is about to end and you are planning to look for a job in the civilian society.  You may have achieve a lot of great things in the military, many skills that you can apply once you become a civilian worker.  However, how do you write a work resume as a military person trying out a civilian job?  Here are some tips that you can follow:

Make sure your resume is focused – Your personal profile defines what career path you would like to follow, and your CV should not be a generic type of document that you can submit into any company.  You have to focus on a particular objective in order for your resume to be effective.  Do some research on what job you would like to do.  Ask for help from your local job center or transition office.  If you would like to keep your options open, write several civilian CVs that focus on the different options you are considering.

Define the job’s requirements – What are the skills needed to perform the tasks in this job?  You could do research in the job vacancies on newspapers and scan the requirements of job positions you are interested in over a period of time.  List all the skills associated with the career you have chosen.

Limit your military achievements – Your military achievements and awards are very impressive as they are signs of determination and self-sacrifice.  However, it should not be the main focus of your civilian CV.  You can mention that you received a purple heart or medal of honor, but your tank driving skills can be omitted (unless if you are applying for a driving job).  Remember to concentrate on your skills list and make sure that the most relevant information is at the top of your resume.
Continue reading Applying Your Military Career in a Civilian CV…

Should Criminal Records be Removed from a CV?

Ideally, all CVs and resumes should not include any negative data. Your CV is a marketing tool, a ticket selling yourself in hopes of getting hired, and the negative data would just spoil the prospects to be called for an interview. However, if you got employed and the company found out about anything negative about you such as criminal records, they may have the option to terminate you without warning for concealing information.

How do you keep an honest background about yourself without having your negative background be your hindrance in getting the job that you want? Here are some tips:

Find out if the company frowns on criminal records – Check out the policy of the company if they require background checks. Companies that practice such would most likely not employ people with past records. Continue reading Should Criminal Records be Removed from a CV?…