Archive for January, 2008
How to Create a Video Resume
If you have been viewing more video resumes or what I like to call vesumes recently, then you are aware of a growing trend that is replacing the standard 8 ½ x 11 paper resume, and with the speed of technology in our future you are sure to see more.
Since I’m located in Hawaii, I have viewed a number of resumes as a part of my candidate searches and it gives me a better picture of the candidate. Here is my advice on what makes up a good video resume.
Video Quality. Just like a paper resume, presentation and quality are important, so attention to detail means a lot. A good quality video resume can range from someone who shot something from home on an old camcorder to a professionally shot video that could have been paid, for not unlike a resume service. These productions are much better and come with clear pictures, excellent sound quality, and an overall professional look.
Appearance. Did the person invest time and effort in making their vesume instead of sitting at one location and shooting the entire video?
Language and Business Acumen, Does the person on the video speak clearly and with the knowledge and business acumen that grabs your attention?
Substance. With most good vesumes you will have the following: Introduction; Objectives; History; Knowledge or Special Skills; Education; and a Summary. It won’t always come out exactly in this order, or you may be missing some of it.
Creativity. Perhaps the best thing about a vesume is the creativity that you see with what may otherwise be a standard candidate on paper. I like to see creativity, because generally speaking if it gets your attention it will get the client or hiring manager’s attention as well.
Background. You will notice a lot about the quality of the video just based on the background or location, and often something about the person.
Character. My favorite part of viewing these videos is that it shows the person’s character, and that may play a significant role in a good fit. It is a great way for candidates to show their stuff and be creative in the process.
Editing. Review it for mistakes, errors, accuracy, and content. If you are new to reviewing vesumes, you can miss critical errors like something in the background or something that was said or was not said. So if you are new to watching video resumes, watch them a couple of times. It will be clear after watching it more than once whether the candidate edited the video for content and clarity.
References. One of the best vesumes I have reviewed actually had three very credible and desirable references at the end of it. It went a long way toward presenting a very quality candidate.
Length. The best resumes are not epics. I like three to five minutes.
[ Help Wanted Hawaii.info — Hawaii's Largest Online Job Board ] 