How to Make a Video Résumé (Essential Tips and Examples)

In an increasingly competitive job market, where sometimes hundreds of jobseekers are applying for the same job, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd.

That’s not to say it’s impossible, however. Indeed, there are several things you can do to make sure your application gets noticed by employers, like tailoring your résumé to the specific job you’re applying for, embracing personal branding and becoming a micro-influencer in your field.

Also: making a video résumé. But what is a video résumé, and do you need one?

In this complete guide, we’ll answer those questions (and more!), as well as share practical tips and examples to help you craft your own compelling video résumé.

What is a video résumé?

A video résumé is a type of résumé that uses video to showcase a jobseeker’s experience, skills and qualifications to potential employers. It can be filmed on a smartphone or with a professional camera.

Unlike the traditional paper résumé, which typically takes a more structured approach to document a jobseeker’s professional and educational journey, and which features a more formal tone, a video résumé offers a lot of creative freedom and the opportunity to better highlight your personality and communication skills.

When to make a video résumé

Making a video résumé is particularly useful in the following situations:

• The employer requires one. Although it may not be a very common request, it’s crucial that you comply. Indeed, ignoring the employer’s application requirements only demonstrates laziness or an inability to follow instructions on your part.
• You’re applying for a highly competitive position. Making a video résumé in this instance can help you stand out from the crowd and get noticed as a leading candidate.
• You have an extensive paper résumé. In this case, an accompanying video résumé allows you to summarize key points from your career or highlight a specific skill or project you want employers to pay attention to.
• You want to demonstrate your video-making skills. This is particularly important for jobs that revolve around — or involve some form of — video production. Indeed, a video résumé can help you showcase your skills in practice, in a way that a traditional résumé can’t.

Who can use a video résumé?

For the most part, anyone who wants to showcase their skills, qualifications and personality in a creative and dynamic way can use a video résumé in their job search efforts.

That said, it’s particularly useful for jobseekers in specific industries or situations, including:

• Customer-facing roles like sales, hospitality and public relations
• Creative industries like media, marketing, advertising, design and performing arts
• Tech or digital roles like social media management, IT and video production
• Students and recent graduates with limited work experience
• Freelancers and gig workers in fields like writing, photography and consulting
• Remote jobseekers who don’t have the chance to meet employers in person
• Career changers who want to emphasize transferable skills

Why should you make a video résumé?

An engaging, high-quality video résumé has a vast array of benefits, including:

• It makes you more memorable, which helps you stand out from the competition who might not have considered making their own video résumé.
• It demonstrates your communication and presentation skills.
• It helps you highlight your creativity and originality.
• It testifies your technical skills, which is especially useful for video-related jobs.
• It showcases your personality in a way that a traditional résumé can’t.
• It builds a more personal connection with employers.
• It highlights not-verbal cues, like body language and facial expressions, again in a way that traditional résumés can’t convey.

What to include in a video résumé

Video résumés typically feature three components: an introduction, a selling point and a call to action.

Introduction

The introduction acts in a similar vein as the contact information and summary section of a paper résumé. Essentially, this is the part where you introduce yourself, address the company you’re applying to, and share some key information about your background.

Selling point

The middle part of your résumé video is meant to act as your selling point and convince employers you’re the right person for the job. In other words, it should answer the question “Why should we hire you?” by highlighting your most notable achievements, qualifications and strengths.

Call to action

At the end of your video résumé, you want to close with a “hook” that convinces employers to reach out to you and take your application to the next stage of the hiring process.

Important things to mention in a video résumé:

• Your name
• Your job title
• Your location
• The name of the company and the specific position you’re applying for
• The years of experience you have in your field
• Relevant work experience, qualifications, skills and achievements
• A “push” to the viewer to do something — ie: to reach out to you for an interview

How to make a video résumé

Ready to create your very own video résumé? Below are some tips on not only how to make one — but also how to make it great:

1. Write a script

First things first, take the time to write a script, as it will help you remember what you want to say and what you want hiring managers to know — rather than just improving it. Even if you don’t memorize it, you’ll still appear more confident on camera.

When writing the script, do your best to let your personality shine through, while you can even inject some — appropriate — humor to make it more engaging. On that note, prefer a conversational tone over one that’s overly formal or stuffy (though this will depend on the specific company you’re applying to).

Meanwhile, if you’re planning to use different filming locations, incorporate action shots (where you demonstrate a specific skill, for example), or add sound, text or graphics in specific places, it’s a good idea to outline these in your script so you can plan for them accordingly.

2. Get the right equipment

Often, a smartphone that can capture high-quality video and audio, a tripod, and a portable or lavalier microphone will be all the equipment you need to film a compelling video résumé, but you can also use a webcam.

That said, a quality video camera is more ideal, especially if you’re applying for a job in a high-end industry or creative field where the video’s overall production quality serves as a reflection of your skill, expertise or brand.

Either way, consider your specific needs and goals, and acquire the equipment based on these. For example, if you’re worried about unflattering shadows, you could buy a ring light.

3. Set up your filming space

Next up: location, location, location.

Whether you’re going to film yourself sitting in one place or you’ve decided to film shots in different locations (indoors or outdoors), you need a proper filming space.

For example, if you’ll be sitting down behind a desk, make sure you choose a quiet room with plenty of natural light and a neutral background. Likewise, if you need to film a shot in public, try limiting the number of people in the background and eliminating as many distractions as possible. Or if you’re filming action shots, make sure the necessary props and equipment populate the space.

4. Film multiple takes

There’s a reason why TV and movie actors film multiple takes, and that’s because one might be better than another — or even parts of a take — which are often then combined in postproduction.

When filming your video résumé, think of yourself as an actor (and camera operator and director), and record several takes of each segment of your script. It’s also a good idea to use different facial expressions and vocal tones for each take, while you might consider splitting your speech into shorter segments.

This way, you can select the best takes during the editing stage.

5. Edit, edit, edit

After ensuring you have all the necessary footage for your video résumé, it’s time to begin cutting, assembling and editing everything — unless, of course, you’ve managed to create a one-take wonder.

You’ll need video editing software or apps for this, and you can find some really great options online like Movavi, Filmora and iMovie. Some computers, phones and tablets, meanwhile, often come equipped with video editing capabilities, too.

6. Ask for feedback

Before submitting your video résumé to employers, send it to a few trusted friends and relatives (or a mentor or colleague), and ask them for their honest feedback.

Indeed, their input can help you make any necessary improvements and create a video résumé that is truly impressive and engaging.

Video résumé dos and don’ts

Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your video résumé:

Do:

• Look into the camera to maintain eye contact with the viewer.
• Dress appropriately, just as you would for a job interview.
• Include your contact information.

Don’t:

• Use slang words or jargon.
• Overdo effects. Keep music, transitions and animations simple.
• Make it all about you — instead, focus on what you bring to the table.

Example video résumés

Want to see a video résumé in action? Here are five examples from real jobseekers that you can take inspiration from:

Laura Harris — Front end web developer

Mark Leruste — Entrepreneur

Victor Vichery — Web designer

Mattias Larsson — Filmmaker

Nick Gray — Travel manager

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about video résumés:

Final thoughts

And there you have it: everything you need to know about video résumés and how to make one yourself that gets you one step closer to your dream job.

As one final piece of advice, though, keep in mind that a video résumé is meant to complement a traditional résumé — not replace it. After all, employers still want a written record of your experience, achievements and qualifications, so make sure to submit a traditional résumé (and cover letter) along with your video application.

Got a question about making a video résumé? Let us know in the comments section below.

This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published in 2014.