The job market is incredibly competitive and making your CV stand out from other applicants’ isn’t an easy task. Although it is unlikely that video CVs are going to replace the traditional written CV any time soon, they might just be what it takes to catch an employers eye.
A video CV gives you the opportunity to show a bit of personality and allows employers to see the person behind the CV, so make sure you come across confident and approachable. VCVs are particularly good for applying for jobs within the digital/media sector or sales/marketing, as you can demonstrate your great communication skills or prove that you are in touch with the latest tech tools.
If you fancy having a go at making your own video CV, here are some great tips from Aimee Bateman of Careercake.
1) Keep it brief:
Try not to ramble. Know what you want to communicate and get to the point, rather than dancing around the topic. The ideal length of a video CV is around 1-2 minutes; any longer and it is likely that your viewer could get bored and switch off.
2) Know your audience:
The information in your video CV should be relevant to your target audience. What you want to achieve from your CV is to sell your skills and experience and convince your audience that you are someone that they want to hire.
Figure out what they want to see and give them it. This may vary between industries and specific companies, dependent on the culture and nature of the sector, so make sure you take this into consideration when deciding what kind of tone to adopt and what you would like to share about yourself.
3) Dress appropriately:
It’s important to present yourself smartly on camera, as this way your prospective employers will be able to visualise you within the workplace. Treat it as an interview and dress how you think would be appropriate, based on industry and company culture. It’s better to over-dress than to look sloppy.
4) Talk clearly:
When addressing the camera, make sure that you talk slowly, loudly and clearly so the viewer can understand everything that you are saying and make sure that you record it in a quiet room where there isn’t any background noise that could distract from your message.
It’s also worth investing in a good camera and microphone to create your video CV, so you can create it to the best possible quality.
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