How Video CVs Can Get You Your Heart’s Desire

How Video CVs Can Get You Your Heart’s Desire

Struggling to land your dream job? 

Can understand! I was once too.

With the fierce competition that comes with the job search, It’s a hard nut to crack, and you need to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Creativity and approaches vary people to person. Some have designed unique resume templates while others have taken a think-hatke approach to create their new formats – such as a young marketing professional who delivered chocolates to several potential employers.

The only thing that was common to each approach was to grab attention and pitch yourself. Sounds like a lot of hard work? Of course, it is, dream jobs are not for everyone. Or better I say not everyone dreamed of a dream job, It’s only for those who have the willingness to do what it takes and are not afraid of failure.

If you got one without the extra effort. Congratulation friend! Not everyone is born with silver luck.

But there’s is a profound and popular way to capture a hiring manager’s attention—a video resume.

Despite the common perception that video CVs are only applicable to certain vocations, they can get you noticed by recruiters in any sector. One great way that career-savvy graduates are doing this is by submitting their CVs in video format.

Why wait? Let’s understand what is video CV/resume and when to use one.

Meet the hero of this article – Video CV

Video CV is a short visual copy of yourself to apply for a job. Instead of replacing traditional CVs and cover letters, video CV is used to supplement a written application. Other options include locating the hiring manager to connect and personalize your request through professional/social media (E-mail, Linkedin, etc.).

The purpose of a CV in this format is to highlight a candidate’s skills, experience, and how you going to add value to the organization.
If you get it right, a video CV can display your personality and demonstrate your creativity, passion, and drive. It could also make you stand out in the competitive application process.

Video CVs are usually between one-three minutes long. It’s important to grab a recruiter’s attention while keeping the running time of the video to a minimum.

Here is mine for an idea.

Does Video CV be a god fit for you?

I understand the fact, not everyone is camera ready and sometimes it can be scary too, but in some industries, a video CV can set you apart, especially in creative and customer-facing roles in sectors such as advertising, creative arts, marketing, media, PR, and sales.

However, recorded CVs don’t have to be restricted to particular jobs or industries. They can also be particularly useful when applying for digital, journalism, fashion, or IT-related roles.

While more traditional jobs, such as those in law, accounting, engineering, medicine, and construction a video CV may not always be appropriate.Better to research the culture of the organization and the role you looking for to understand and decide whether a video CV is suitable for you or not.
Don’t forget to look at the pros and cons it can have. General once are given below:

Pros

More interesting-Stand out from the Crowd

Showcase Your Creativity

Highlights more than Skills

Display Your Personality

Cons

Informal and unconventional

Make you stand out for the wrong reasons

Time consuming

Claims of discrimination in the hiring process

Robert Half Survey reports that 78% of candidates prefer traditional resumes, either a Word Document or PDF. Only 3% were interested in video resumes or infographics. Video CV has unique advantages and very low competition.

You need to ask yourself if a video CV will be a good fit for you or not. If an employer has a standardized application process then better to stick with that.

If you decide to give it a go there are several things to consider before you start filming. Follow the step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Scripting Your Video CV/Resume

If you come this far I can assume you are clear with your niche (audience), industry, and position for which you are going to prepare your video CV. If not make sure you do it and then move ahead.

A video CV is all about your Skills, Experience, and Accomplishment and must answer two questions:

1. Why should they hire you?

2. How you are going to add value to their organization?

Your script must include all these five and the rest is your creativity and choice. 

If you have given it a bit of thought you will recognize video CV/resume is your documentary and you know how boring a documentary sounds most of the time. So make sure your scripts should be engaging and full of humor and content-rich focused on keywords.

Yes! you heard it right keywords.

For example, I am a physicist turned digital marketer interested in branding. So I selected the keywords accordingly and then designed my mind map.

Remember! The higher the personalization higher the chances to get shortlisted. By the way, mine is not personalized enough rather it is an industry focus.

Follow the below process to figure out your keywords: 

Select Your Industry -> Find out your Dream Companies -> Select Your Profile (Job position or title) -> Find out Keywords from Description.

A mind Map is the idea of the timeline of how you script your story. I have used XMind to record my idea, you can use any tool or simply use your notebook, see right to left in the below image.

Video CV Mind Map

Believe me, as soon you created your timeline you will find it very easy to script out your story. Just keep in mind that don’t be monotonous and do add some Garam-Masala and finish your scripting.

Structure the video CV script such that it has a beginning, middle, and end.

Start by introducing yourself, explaining why you’ve created the video and why you’re the right person for the job.
Talk about your unique selling points and any relevant skills and experience, showing examples of your work and demonstrating your skills through the use of slideshows, clips, or on-screen graphics (in final editing).
At the end of your video summarise what you have told the employer and reiterate why you’re right for the role. Thank them for watching the video, and include your contact details (most important) and call to action. Link to online platforms that could strengthen your application, such as a website or social media account.

Step 2: Planning Script into Action Insights

First off, don’t be daunted by the quality of other videos and CVs you find online. The aim isn’t to be the next Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but rather to give a glimpse into who you are and how you can help organizations grow. 

But a clear plan of action is fruitful and I call it smart work to avoid any confusion.

What do I mean by planning here?

What kind of video CV you will film? The format of the video could be a project showcase, mock interview (where you answer relevant questions to the camera), or a narrated timeline of your experience and achievements. The choice is yours. In my video CV, I used video, images, content slides, etc. Below are a few of the video CVs that I liked, and one is on Linkedin.

In this step, you need to decide for which part of your script you would fill the video, where you will use images, and what is the mood of your paragraph (would help you to decide on background music in final editing). What are the content and material you need to require for doing it?

Plan the location of your video to ensure that you have a quiet, well-lit space to film in. You’ll also need to consider the backdrop of your recording. It should be clear and free from clutter. If you’re using a specific set or props make sure that everything that appears in your video is appropriate and professional.

Plan your outfit, making sure to dress as you would for an interview. This could mean a suit and tie or business casual – take your cue from the type of organization that you’re applying to.

Step 3: Filming Your Idea

Apart from location and script, you’ll also need to consider technical aspects such as filming equipment and the editing process. 

If you have a smartphone with a high-quality camera you could use this, but if you want it to look more professional it’s best to use a decent DSLR camera. By the way, I used my phone to record videos.

Also, make sure that the audio quality is good – employers will switch it off if they can’t make out what you’re saying.

Rehearse your script a few times. You want to sound like you are having a conversation with the hiring manager. The less you sound as if you are reading something off of paper, the better.

Think storytelling first, our attention span is shorter than ever, so you have to think about how you can maintain your audience. Don’t just stand in front of a camera and read your script. Let your creativity shine and most of all, have fun.

When filming, make the video dynamic by using different shots and camera angles. Do as many takes as possible to give you something to work with during the editing process, arguably one of the most important steps to creating a great video CV.

Pro tips:

Don’t hesitate to copy from others. We all are humans, we learn and evolve by copying but not 100%, 50-50 will be okay.

Ask for help when required. You can also reach me on telegram Ask Sujal.

Step 4: Editing and Wrapping Up

It’s at this stage that you can tighten up your video, reordering and tweaking shots, cutting bits that didn’t work, and adding visual and sound effects (such as pointing to text as it appears on the screen or background music). The scenes that make the final cut should be those that portray you in the best possible light.

Use visuals to illustrate what you’re saying in the video script, ones that showcase your talents and skills. 

There is a lot of software available to edit your video Filmora, Lumen5, Final Cut Pro is a few best suitable for a beginner. I used Filmora to edit my video. 

If video editing isn’t your thing ask a friend or put the word out online for someone who might be able to help. Or hire a freelancer, even me.

Once you have a finished video you need to decide how you’ll make this accessible to recruiters. Uploading the video to the internet provides easy access for employers. This way you can also link and promote your video CV on your social media channels.

Pro tips:

Show don’t tell.

Keep it brief (two minutes is more than enough).

Select your background music based on the mood of your script. SoundCloud and Mixit have a good bucket of royalty-free music.

Why Your Personal Branding and Marketing Never Works Out the Way You Plan

Why Your Personal Branding and Marketing Never Works Out the Way You Plan

It was midnight, I was sitting on my couch wondering about the same questions a founder, a professional or a student have, who is eager to build his own identity in the population of 7.9 Bn.

What are the fundamentals you need to know to build your Personal Brand?

The more I search the broader it gets, two hours passed like Thanos snap. I felt a falling sensation, clouds disappear, my vision clears and I found the treasure map. It starts from marketing fundamentals diving deep into its promotional funnel leading to an integrated approach of marketing unlocking the mystery of mass trust, and I see my Personal Brand.

The very first footprint in the map questions your objective and who you can help? That shook me to write my definition of marketing without quoting what Sir Philip Kotler had said or what Neil Patel is doing.

I am aware; marketing is a brilliant mix of both science and art. It is your awareness and understanding of how you perceive it, a smiley face or sad face (Art or Science).

:):

My objective is to build my Personal Brand and help people and businesses to build their brand by providing mentorship and digital marketing services. So, here is my definition:

Marketing is positioning you in the mind of the right customer at right time so well that the product or service sells itself.

Do I still need to encourage you to write yours?

Buddy, I am sorry for you! There is no cure for laziness.

As mentioned marketing is no more about just 4Ps and 4Cs in product marketing and 8Ps in the marketing of services. It’s rather deep like psychology and unpredictable like Quantum Mechanics. Don’t worry we got the language to handle both, Yes! It’s Mathematics (Statistics).

Losing your mind, Why not?

I get it! Common sense is not so common; you need not be a master of these just simple law of averages will work for you.

To keep up with the arrow of time, today is not just about Tradition Marketing, where on street-corner posters to reiterate utterly butterly delicious butter or add break like saundarya sabun Nirma but it also happens to Digital Marketing, where my digital form can talk to you.

We are talking, Right? Of course, we are!

Both these techniques have their pros and cons (See Image).

What if TCS shows ads on TV to sell the services? And Perfetti Van Melle emailing you, Hey new Alpenliebe flavor is out, go grab for your kids.

I am not saying they cannot but does it be a good idea?

Although, I love digital marketing because I know my audience. It’s completely your call what promotional strategy you chose to prompt your Personal Brand.

One of the famous communication funnel is AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action) to trace customer journey.

Another is the CATT marketing funnel, I heard about it from Deepak Kanakaraju.

It is a good fit with my marketing definition so let’s demystify it together (PMF: See Image). 

It starts from your niche, wondering how to select one?

I would say use your common sense and experiment. Haven’t you observed in the beginning, I mentioned my audience it is my niche and then I came up with my marketing definition.

Still, confused? I got you cover, just subscribe to the email list, because I never left my week students.

All is well!

Once you did it, start creating. What you are waiting for, this piece of content is my creation and it’s going to help my brand, not yours.

Content is the blood that needs to be pumped and purified through continuous effort like your heart do, else your brand die.

“Go to your bed, why you are sleeping on the floor, and grumbling nonsense?” my mother said.

I woke up, it was dawn. Wash my face prepared two cups of tea then again set on my couch with my laptop. Got your attention, this is what it is.

Either you use organic way (SEO, Social Media, etc.), or paid way (SEM, affiliate link, etc.) to get attention. Or simply just focus on your niche, as I did in the second paragraph clearly describing what I am going to talk about with you.

If you come so far, I can sense our duo is building strong. We talked well and developed at least a little mutual understanding. Didn’t we?

If you have written your definition, I assure you we did. So, don’t break my heart I will be waiting to see your definition in the comments.

Struggling? Make sure you subscribe to the mail list, and we will build it strong. The force is strong with us. If you did subscribe that’s a transaction in this case, otherwise it is mostly monetary.

Yes! You got it right the funnel is complete, keep practicing and repeat to optimize.

Remember, I told you content is blood, but without veins, blood cannot move from one organ to another. Integrated marketing framework (IMF, See Image) served as the mode of communication similar to veins.

Certainly, the big picture is the human body so as the holistic marketing. But until the Personal Branding (blood flow) is concerned we can stick ourselves to IMF.

Hey Sujal! Where is Personal Branding?

You! Yes, you. I am talking to you.

Personal Branding is not “Kato Gholo or Laga Lo.’’

It is a journey that you live, and add value to others life that reflect back to you.

I lost my treasure map when I woke up. Now I realize it was always within me, just afraid of taking action. So I started my journey to build my Personal Brand.

I learn I create, I communicate (this blog), I consult with my mentor and give me the minute of your time and fill the registration form I would happy to guide you.

Register Now

Let’s make our duo further strong! And step ahead towards building the Mass Trust. Because the coming era is people to people not brand to people.

Still not registered?

Believe me, you are in rattrap. Nobody can break that trap for you. Break it now. I will catch you on the other side.

Let me know what is your favorite part? See you in the comments.

Accept- Act- Achieve!

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