Video Resume Fresh Approach

“You Ought to Be in Pictures!” – Embracing the Video Resume Revolution in Today’s Job Market*

Hey there, job seekers and career enthusiasts!  Are you ready to dive into a game-changing strategy that could skyrocket your job application to the top of the pile? It’s time to talk about the power of video resumes in today’s competitive job market!

The Reality Check: A Shrinking Job Market

Let’s face it, the job landscape is getting tougher. Daniel Roth, the dynamic Editor-in-Chief and VP of LinkedIn dropped a truth bomb: for every job out there, there are two eager applicants vying for it. That’s right, the competition is fierce!

  Stand Out from the Crowd: The Video Resume Edge

So, how do you shine brighter than the rest? The answer is simple yet brilliant: create a video resume! According to Andrew Seaman, the Senior Managing Editor for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News, a whopping 76% of hiring managers in the U.S. find pre-recorded video resumes a valuable tool in the hiring process. ¹

Riding the Video Wave

In a world where people are glued to videos (hello, 95 minutes per day on TikTok!), it’s no surprise that video resumes are the next big thing. Imagine this: over a billion people are watching videos online, with 150 million of them in the U.S. alone.² By adding a video resume to your LinkedIn profile or job application, you’re not just applying for a job; you’re making a statement!

Not a New Concept, but a Fresh Approach

Video resumes aren’t exactly new. From customer service role-plays to teaching demos, videos have been part of the job application process in various fields. But here’s the twist: right now, not many job seekers are harnessing the full potential of video resumes. And that’s where you come in!

Crafting Your Video Resume: A Recipe for Success

Ready to create a video resume that captivates and impresses? Keep it short and sweet – no more than three minutes. Your video should include these five key elements:

1. Who You Are: Introduce yourself with a spark!
2. Your Dream Job: Talk about the job you’re applying for (and make it sound like it’s been your dream forever).
3. Your Perfect Fit: Show how you and the company are a match made in professional heaven. Make mention of the company’s mission, what they do, and a recent news item and how this impresses you and fits perfectly with your values and mission in life and are excited to be in their future.
4. Your Journey: Share a brief, engaging story about how you’ve developed the skills they need.

Use this outline:

When I was younger, I noticed that (—-).

As I got more curious and into (—-), I started getting more into it by doing (—–).

As a was doing (—–), I developed skills such as ___, ___, ____, ____.

Now I want to use these skills to contribute to your team’s continued success.

1. Your Contribution: Highlight what you can bring to the table. Mention the skills you have developed and how this specifically contributes.
2. Call to Action: End with a punchy, memorable line that leaves them wanting more.

Embrace the Change, Be the Change

In a world where standing out is key, your video resume could be the golden ticket. It’s about going the extra mile, thinking outside the box, and showing the world not just who you are but who you can be. Lights, camera, action – your career awaits!

References

¹ Seaman, A. (2021, April 19) Should you make a video resume? LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-you-make-video-resume-andrew-seaman

 ² Question of the day: How long does the average user spend on TikTok a day? Next Gen Personal Finance https://www.ngpf.org/blog/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-how-long-does-the-average-user-spend-on-tiktok-a-day/

 *This blog was written in part with ChatGPT 4, fact-checked and edited by the blog writer for this post.