Job hunting has always been a challenge. And, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the great resignation, it’s getting harder than ever to stand out from the crowd. 

But, with the introduction of Linkedin Profile video and TikTok resumes you can now leverage the power of video to bag your dream job and, since 89% of employers reveal that they would watch a video resume if it were submitted to them, it might just work!

Keep reading if you want to learn more and make your own video resume with Detail Studio.

Wait, WTF is a video resume? 

Think of a video resume as a personal highlight reel — a 30-120 second long video of you introducing yourself and highlighting skills and experiences that are relevant to the position. 

It’s easy to assume that a video resume should include everything you have in your written version, but you’ll want to keep it short and sweet.  

Why you need a video resume

A video resume might not be suitable or required for every single job, but there are plenty of benefits to adding a visual component to your application. 

Establish a connection with the recruiter

We’ve previously mentioned that humans are hardwired to gravitate toward the faces of 

other humans. With recruiters receiving an average of 250 resumes per job posting, a video can help you stand out from the crowd, increase your credibility, and establish a connection with them. 

Showcase your communication & presentation skills

97% of employees believe communication impacts their task efficacy on a daily basis. Listing a skill on your resume can never beat seeing it in action. A video resume allows you to showcase both communication and presentation skills.  

Show off your personality

A video resume can be compared to a first interview, only you control it. It’s an excellent chance to show off your personality, which is relevant when recruiters try to figure out if someone is a cultural fit for their team and company. 

Making a video resume

We get it, making a video resume is going to feel a little weird at first. Gen Z are the TikTok generation and even 48% of them feel uncomfortable with making a video resume.

To get you over this hurdle, we’ve created this guide on how to prepare, record, and edit your video, so that you can feel more confident about the process. 

Write a script

A script is a great way of getting what you want to say in writing before you record so you don’t get lost. What key message do you want hiring managers to take away from your video resume?

There’s no need to write complete sentences, but make sure you have bullet points that help you remember to highlight your most relevant experiences. If you can, try not to read off the script so you can keep it natural. 

The most important thing to remember is to be yourself. At the end of the day getting a feel for your personality is a key reason for making a video resume. 

Find a good space

This one might be obvious but make sure you’re in a quiet space with no distracting background noise.

First impressions matter: make sure it looks tidy or try to sit in front of a backdrop (a big sheet will do) if you’re in a shared space. 

Get the right gear

If your only option is sitting in front of a window for natural daylight, that’s totally fine, but a $30 ring light can go a long way! 

Use your iPhone to record your video rather than your webcam for better quality. If you use an app like Detail Studio, you can even connect your iPhone to your Mac to more easily record and edit your video.

For better audio, try using your apple earphones or Airpods — these have a better mic than your Macbook and will let you monitor the sound!

Tip: Wear colors that help you stand out from the background. 

Use Detail Studio to create a high-quality video resume 

If you haven’t done so already, make sure you download Detail Studio.

The next thing you need to do is connect your iPhone and record on your Mac. With Detail you can see what your shot looks like even if you’re using the back facing iPhone cameras (which offer better quality). 

If you’re using an external mic like Airpods, you can select it in the audio selection setting.

You can easily add titles, images and overlays with key highlights or important info like your name and email. 

If you want to show off portfolio pieces, prototypes, or other content, you can add any screen or Window as a separate Scene in Detail and switch to it while you record or even after you’re done!

You can do multiple takes and edit the best bits together in Detail afterwards. Don’t worry too much about jump cuts!

When you’re finished, you can export your video at different quality/size depending on how you need to send or share it. 

Final notes

Remember to treat your video resume like a job interview. Displaying positivity, professionalism, and a friendly attitude can go a long way. In many ways this is your elevator pitch so don’t forget to include a call-to-action at the end of the video to encourage the employer to follow up with you. Good luck!