Showstopper #1 - Ignoring your Audience
A critical factor in preparing your video resume is remembering your audience. Employers who are thinking about how you would fit into their organization will view your video resume. Recruiters who will be thinking about whether you are a person they want to present to their customer – the employer, will also view your video. It is important that you represent yourself in a professional manner that will entice your audience to invite you in for further discussion. The in-person interview is what you’re after, so be sure you are presenting yourself on video as if you were conducting part of your professional ‘in-person’ interview.
Showstopper #2 – Bump on a Log
Sounding humdrum and low energy will end the viewing of your video resume quicker than you think. So, when preparing your video it will be important for you to use energy when conveying your message. A camera can surprise you by how much of your energy it will absorb. You may think you are projecting energy, but yet when you watch the play back it looks as if you are in need of a nap. If this is the case, try over-emphasizing and emoting more that usual and see if the camera picks up the energy you want to convey. A good way to do this is to practice emphasizing words within your sentences – this will help prevent dreaded monotony. It can also be helpful to use your hands briefly. Tilting your head can help personalize your conversation and give the viewers eyes something to follow along with. Above all, avoid being a boring bump on a log or your viewer will click the stop button and move on.
Showstopper #3 – All over the Map
A video resume is not a chance for you to pontificate about your life. Your viewer is not interested in your exercise routine (unless you’re a personal trainer or in the fitness industry), or political viewpoints (unless you’re a candidate or government aide). You get the idea here; stick with “what’s in it for the employer/viewer”. You want to get specific very quickly since video resumes are a brief synopsis. This is your chance to show the employer what it would be like to work with you and how you can impact their organization in a positive way. It’s your stage to reveal your manner, attitude, eagerness, curiosity and all those things you can’t portray on a paper resume. Your viewer does not want to sit around and watch you lift weights or play tennis – so, remember your audience and project what you can do for them. Develop a defined script and practice it numerous times before you get in front of the camera.
Showstopper #4 – Forgetting where you Are
The setting for your video resume should be ‘expected’. In other words, if you’re an executive the setting surrounding you should be business appropriate. If you’re an artist, again the setting should be appropriate for what individuals expect to see you in. Think of it the opposite for a moment – an executive in an art studio would just look out of sync, and likewise with the artist in an executive business office. People will expect to see you in the environment that matches your profession. If you’re unsure you can go with a solid background color that looks the best with your features and complexion. This is a safe bet and will allow the focus to be on you instead of what’s in back of you.
Showstopper #5 – Slacker Attire
Wear the same apparel for tapping your video resume as you would wear to an actual interview. This is not the time to show your casual nature, unless your profession qualifies. A good rule of thumb to stick with is to always dress one level above the level you’re trying to achieve in your profession. It gives the viewer an idea of where you can go in the organization, even if you do not yet have the full breadth of experience required. Stay professional and you can’t go wrong.
Showstopper #6 – Reading your Resume on Video
Ouch – choosing to read your paper resume on your video is a sure way to get the employer to ‘click you off’. It will also indicate that you are not up to date on what a video resume truly is – and brief introduction allowing you to portray your personality along with one or two of the benefits the employer will gain by working with you. In other words, a snapshot of who you are as a person and what you’re like to work with. A video resume is not the reading of your paper resume on video; nor does it replace your paper resume.
Showstopper #7 – Too Long
Your video resume needs to be short, best at about a minute and no more than 90 seconds length. Since the video resume is only one segment of your online Professional Profile keep it brief. You can create other short video clips to post on your profile page that will provide the employer with more information about you if you choose, such as an Interview Clip with you answering some general/standard questions that are normally asked during all interviews.
Showstopper #8 – Your only Job Search Tool
Thinking that your video resume is the only tool you’ll need to succeed in a job search is a big mistake. Your video resume should be used as a strategic part of your professional profile to help you stand out among candidates, boost your visibility and marketability and provide the employer with an initial overview of your personality. It is a chance for you to show your presentation and communication skills and help the employer envision you as part of their organization. It should not be relied on as your only tool by any means, so use it as one of a myriad of options to enhance your career success. Using a video resume as part of your professional profile will provide employers and recruiters with a more complete picture of who you are as a professional.
Showstopper #9 – Forgetting your Format
Placing your video online with the various video resume sites does require that you become familiar with the file format requirements for each site. If you neglect this part of the process you may find that people are viewing you as a ‘pinhead’ and/or your mouth is moving faster/slower than the audio coming out. So, check into the required file formats for each site you will post your video on to be sure your playback is acceptable.
Showstopper #10 – Winging It
Many people like to just ‘go with the flow’ when it comes to their conversation; say what comes to mind when it hits. This is usually fine on a day-to-day basis, but not really so good when it comes to your video resume. Since the first 5 seconds of your video are ‘key’ to hooking the viewer, you’ve got to stand out and have impact. So, saying something like, “Hello, my name is Fred Fred and I’ve prepared this video resume in order to share my skills and experience with you in the area of XYZ” – blah, blah… Fred will get shut down and the next video resume will get opened. First off, the viewer already knows that they are viewing a video resume – no need to duplicate that message. Next, forget the focus on skills and experience, more than likely the viewer has a copy of your paper resume along with the video. So, there was zero impact in the first 5 seconds of that shoot. Better would be: (spoken with energy) “Hello, my name is Fred Fred and I’ll take your company smoothly and efficiently from private to public. You can rely on me to carry out all detailed requirements without skipping a beat.” Anyway, you get the idea here – your viewers are looking for how you will impact their organization, so kick it up and give them what they’re looking for. The best way to do this is prepare your script in advance and practice – practice – practice, before you go in front of the camera. This way your words will flow naturally and you can focus on showing energy and personality while delivering a powerful message.
About the Author
Robin Ogden has spent her career helping people build meaningful careers. It's a passion she feeds through tireless action on behalf of every professional she coaches. Both an experienced entrepreneur and senior HR business partner, Robin is a proven team leader in the navigation of the winding roads of today's corporate environments. An authority in the high-tech recruiting sector, for more than 20 years Robin has teamed with executive management of successful high tech startups throughout the Silicon Valley, helping to build organizations in these rapidly growing, dynamic environments. She draws on her experience to deliver enthusiasm and confidence to all of her clients as they search for a better way to work.
Robin is a co-founder of FiredUP careers, a career coaching company focused on providing career products and services for professionals who wish to stay aligned with their careers, achieve success and truly dig what they do.
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