The video CV is very trendy. Today, it is the best way to showcase and illustrate your professional experience, skills and personality. While it is increasingly popular with recruiters and candidates, certain codes must still be respected. In order to make your video CV a success and put all the chances on your side, follow our advice...
4 good reasons to make an original video CV
1. A more honest, more authentic, more engaging CV
If the video CV allows you to respond to a job offer in video, it is above all more authentic, more honest and more engaging than a classic paper format . Your application becomes original by default. We often tend to say that CVs are read extremely quickly. The video format of the CV is ideal for dialoguing with the recruiter and ensuring a complete reading of your skills .
2. The video CV breaks the image barrier.
If your CV photo is not ideal or does not highlight your personality, with the video CV you show yourself as you are. Recruiters always want to meet candidates to check the non-tangible elements such as gestures, interpersonal skills, charisma, self-confidence, etc. With a video CV you have the opportunity to demonstrate that all these elements are checked.
3. You stand out for sure
Today, when the candidate specifies in his classic CV that he speaks a language with ease, the first thing his recruiter will do is to test him in an interview. Thanks to a video, the recruiter can very easily check the candidate's language level and his ease in speaking.
4. A CV that can be shared anywhere!
The distribution and reading of the CV is also simpler. You can be more easily visible to entrepreneurs, on Linkedin or elsewhere. You can also track the performance of the format with the number of views, etc. Which is not possible today with PDF CV formats . You can thus optimize the editing and length of your video according to the most viewed sequences and the average reading time.
How to create a video resume from scratch?
Step 1: Write the script
The video resume script is the first element. If you don't have a script already thought up, the best thing to do is to go back to the basics of a good resume or cover letter.
Prioritize all the information you want to cover by listing the questions that need to be answered:
- Introduction & Presentation: What is my current situation? What are my professional goals? Why do I want to join this company?
- Training / Professional experience, skills: What can I bring to the company?
- Personality, Hobbies and Passions: Who am I in Everyday Life
Once you can answer these questions, you are ready to write the script.
2 formats are possible:
- Question-and-answer : the camera-answer allows you to respond to a job offer as if the recruiter were asking you the question. You put yourself in their shoes and you unfold the answers to the questions that they would be very likely to ask you.
- Storytelling : the narrative format allows the candidate to make a video CV by telling his story. This format works well because it is very catchy. You start by announcing at the beginning of the video that you are the ideal candidate for this position, but that you will first tell an interesting story or anecdote about your professional career . This story is actually your argument.
CV Market helps you create the scenario for your professional video CV with a simple and fast tool on a mobile camera. Discover our offer dedicated to video CVs.
Step 2: Prepare the equipment, the location and your outfit
To make your Video CV , you can easily make do with the equipment you already have: a smartphone and editing software. If you prefer to make your video using a camera or smartphone, consider using a tripod to get a stable image.
Find a location with natural lighting and a neutral background. If you prefer to shoot indoors, make sure there is optimal lighting and be careful of backlighting. If you are shooting outdoors, choose a sunny day to avoid a dark rendering and to avoid wind noise.
To ensure sound quality, a microphone attached to your shirt/jacket is recommended because echoes, background noise and other parasitic sounds will directly degrade the sound fluidity of your video.
Concerning the outfit, the very principle of the video CV is to be original enough not to need to add anything . Choose a sober outfit. The choice of outfit depends a lot on the sector of activity. When applying for a consultancy job, or for a position in finance, it is better to opt for a suit. On the other hand, for the marketing sector for example, the outfit can be more casual.
Step 3: Make your video
Before you start making your video resume, it is essential to build your prompter. Unless you are perfectly comfortable improvising with the general information in mind, the prompter is essential to help you read. To avoid averted glances or eyes following the text, position your camera at least 2 meters away from you and position your prompter slightly above the camera. Choose a shot that is preferably well-framed, at chest level.
Be careful not to be too focused on reading the prompter. You have to look relaxed, move your torso a little.
The text must be well calibrated and the video must not exceed 1 minute 30, which is already long. To reassure you, do not assume that everything must be said in this length. You can watch your production again until you are satisfied! Pieces of sentences are enough to be re-modified during editing.
Before you start, test your voice and keep a dynamic posture. In the first few seconds, make an enthusiastic hook. Let's go!
Our advice for an effective video CV
The video CV exercise can quickly become perilous for candidates. Our first piece of advice is not to put pressure on yourself. You need to be able to relax to make the exercise go more smoothly. In reality, the exercise is not that difficult, unless you are looking for a TV news presenter! Relax, have fun and be yourself.
In general, the first recording is the right one. Then the more you rehearse, the less natural you will be. Don't look for perfection either. If you stumble on a word, it doesn't matter because the overall restitution will be natural. If you can't do it, record again. But if you can't do it after 3 takes, start again two hours later or the next day.
Finally, stay honest. There must be no disappointment on the day of the interview, during which there will always be a confrontation between the real skills and those announced by the candidate. Because a candidate who is not honest will be seen very quickly. The video CV is the perfect format for an application that makes all the difference . Don't waste your chance.
Video CV: examples of original video CVs
Here are some examples of an original video CV, which give you a glimpse of the possibilities offered by this format , in particular on the impact of the message and the highlighting of the candidate beyond the classic CV format. In these examples of video CVs, the emphasis is on the staging. Even if these examples of video CVs are very specific to the candidate, keep in mind the approach, the nerve and the narrative style that hits the mark.
Original video CV #1: Hollywood style
This first example of a video CV is full of audacity and originality! If you are sure to reach recruiters with a sense of humor and a passion for cinema, it is still better to reserve it for a creative sector. In this type of CV, there is no need for voiceover or appearances since the text is made up of scenes and lines from films. Interesting, it does however require a lot of time to produce!
Original video CV n°2: the Amélie Poulain style
This original video CV does not require any special editing skills. All you have to do is write your text beforehand and set it to the music of your choice, take several portrait-style photographs and shoot a shot above your workspace while you are handling your accessories. The result is offbeat and interesting enough to make the recruiter wonder! For the record, the director of the video CV was able to land an internship in the United States thanks to her production.
Original video CV n°3: the showreel style
The showreel is a video CV particularly suited to artists and professions in communication and advertising. In the form of a very short corporate film, it offers a summary of your skills or work carried out. In this example, the text is edited in accordance with the rhythm of the music. A small touch of humor, appreciable, is brought. The editing requires a little more experience than a simpler video, but it remains accessible to beginners.
Easier: Create a video CV online
Are you convinced by the video CV , but you don't have the skills necessary for editing? Don't panic, there are now many online software programs to make your task easier. Intuitive, they are accessible to beginners and give you many options to improve your CV. We decipher for you 4 essential software to create your video CV !
Make a video resume with Biteable
The Biteable website lets you create professional videos in just minutes, regardless of your budget or skills.
It is possible to enhance an existing video with many animations, sequences, music or texts, but also to choose a video CV template to save time. The site also allows you to create your video portfolio and offers many formats to adapt your CV to professional social networks such as Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram.
Pricing : There are different monthly plans available to suit your needs. The free version involves using a watermark on the videos. The “Plus” option at $19 per month allows you to integrate your own watermark and have 1080p HD resolution.
How to make a video resume with Animaker
The simple interface of the "Animaker" site is accessible to the most novice. Video CV templates exist and can be fully customized: colors, fonts, music and more. Its drag-and-drop interface makes the software easy to use and saves you time. After a few minutes of editing, the video can be downloaded or exported directly to your social networks.
Price : Registration is free, several packages are then offered:
- The basic package ($10/month) : 5 premium downloads, creation of 5 custom characters and 10 premium resource credits per month. The videos are in HD quality.
- The starter package ($19/month) : 10 premium downloads, 15 custom characters, and 20 resource credits per month. Videos are in Full HD quality.
- The pro package ($39/month) : 20 premium downloads, 30 custom characters and 45 resource credits per month. The videos are 2K quality.
Create a Video Resume Online with Camtasia
Camtasia video editor makes it easy to record, customize, and create your professional videos.
You don’t need a big budget or video editing skills to use it! Just choose a pre-made template or record from your webcam or screen, then add the effects of your choice. Enjoy a library of music, sound effects, and various customizations.
Pricing : The software trial is free. The single license costs €251.67, compatible with Windows and Mac. A €50 maintenance plan provides one-year priority support and upgrades to the latest version.
A video CV with Filmora
Wondershare Filmora software provides you with an intuitive interface that makes video editing easy.
Many effects are available via a library to add titles and subtitles, text, music or sound effects. A store exists to take advantage of new models and themes that will enrich your video resume! Unlike some online video software, downloading does not require adding a watermark and technical support is free.
Price : The trial is free. The price for purchasing the software is €79.99. An annual plan is possible, for €39.99 with automatic renewal (cancellable at any time).
