Job applicants know that the first step to getting hired is crafting the best resume for the position. Resumes are the first thing recruiters see. If they don’t pay attention to your resume, you don’t have a chance of getting in.
Resumes are truly important, and while crafting a professional-looking, 3–page resume might be the way to get that dream job, you should know that it is really up to you, the position you are applying for, and the company you wish to work in. Sometimes, these long and formal-looking resumes end up at the bottom of the pile, while the more creative ones get noticed. The secret to this is to be relevant to the company you are applying for.
Most people submit hard copies of their resumes. Freelancers usually submit their resumes online. Sometimes it is in PDF format, or in JPEG format. These days, there is another kind of resume: the video resume.
It is interesting to submit a video resume, and if you are interested in doing so, read up first on the pros and cons of turning over such a unique format:
Pros:
- Unique – Video resumes are very unique. Once a recruiter sees a video in his pile of resumes, his curiosity will definitely be piqued, and he will want to take a look at it. As you know, getting their attention is the first step. With a video resume, you’ve definitely achieved that objective.
- Visible – Your personality, skills, and talents are evident immediately. Video resumes either feature you, speaking confidently into the camera, or a compilation of all your previous works. Whatever your execution, your character and skills are evident right from the start. If you are applying for a creative position, and you hand in a video resume showing all your creative projects, it is very easy for your recruiter to see this, and immediately appreciate what you can offer to the company.
- Control – It’s like your initial interview, but with more control. Really, a video resume is just you answering all their typical interview questions. Of course, since it is a controlled environment, you can appear unruffled and confident, and you will come off as highly competent for the job.
Cons:
- Informal – It is still informal. While video resumes may be impressive, they may still come off as an informal execution. After all, some companies still choose to do the traditional way of hiring employees.
- Unconventional – Viewing your resume may not be as convenient as a printed piece of paper. If your recruiter wants to clarify a certain item on your credentials, he can’t just easily glance at a piece of paper, he has to load your video and go through the whole thing again. This might turn out to be tedious, so it is best to print out a brief summary of your accomplishments and credentials just to provide them with a quick and convenient way to review your “presentation.”
Important note:
If you are not skilled in video editing, your video resume might look low quality. If you can’t shoot yourself in a well-lit area, and if the sound isn’t that great, then consider foregoing the idea of submitting a video resume for now.
