A guest blogger - Secrets to a Stellar Video Resume

Eugene Lim is a marketing intern at Software Advice, a company that reviews and compares HR software. Read her full blog post here.

In today’s cluttered and competitive job market, job seekers may have a hard time differentiating themselves in what seems to be a sea of paper resumes. Video resumes could be just that extra advantage that sets candidates apart because they offer a unique look at the candidate’s personality and personal brand.
My freshman year of college, I made my own video resume. I thought I was being creative at the time, but in hindsight, it was a disaster (I was wearing pigtails)! With the advice of some seasoned professionals and from my own experience, here are a few tips to craft a stellar video resume.
1. Tailor to the employer
Your video resume should be tailored to fit the specific job and the company culture as well. If the employer has a recruiting video, try to match the tone they set. Josh Tolan, CEO of Sparkhire, encourages candidates to “approach a video resume just like you would an in-person meeting. Keep it polished, poised and professional. Dress professionally and speak with confidence.” Be clever and creative, but make sure the tone and humor can translate into the workplace.

2. Make your case
Your video resume is meant to move further along in the hiring process, so think of it as a sales pitch. Focus on a few strong takeaways for the hiring manager that illustrate why you are perfect for this job. Be sure to have a strong closing statement that summarizes your key points and makes a compelling argument for why the employer should pursue you further.

3. Show them what you can do
Tolan, points out, a video resume is not a replacement of your paper resume or a dramatic reading of it. Your video resume should show employers a side of you that can’t be captured in writing. Show yourself in action, perhaps working on your latest achievement or walking them through a past project with some visuals, or link your video to platforms like Twitter or your online portfolio to communicate a fuller picture of who you are.
Here’s a great example:
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4. Know the limits
Honestly, video resumes aren’t for everyone. Jeremy Roberts, SPHR, advises that this might not be the best path for you if you are uncomfortable in front of the camera or if you are applying to a technical position where your skill set already qualifies you. In that case, a ten-second scan of your paper resume might be all a recruiter needs, so be sure that you are making the best use of the his time and your own.
The goal of a video resume is to communicate who you are and why you’re a qualified candidate for the job. Though it might not be a guaranteed ticket in, it shows that you are willing to go a step further than most job candidates. So grab your camera, get creative and go get that job. Good luck!

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