Imagine you are asked to make an introduction for someone in your network. Maybe, as will be the case with many of your connections this year, you haven’t seen this person for a long time. You might dutifully email a link to their LinkedIn profile, and add a line or two about how you know them and what you remember as being good about them. … Now what if your connection sent you a professional looking introductory video, and you really liked it? How different would that email look?
- HR managers like passing on an interesting introduction too
- We are more likely to become interested in a video than yet another CV
3 ways videos will catch HR’s interest immediately:
- HR managers face a stream of approximately identical looking resumes and LinkedIn profiles every day. Give them something different to pique their interest – get invited for an interview.
- People want to know who they’re inviting for an interview. A video gives them a glimpse of your personality that a resume never could. This is especially true in Switzerland, where photos on resumes are the norm – for exactly the reason that managers want to see who they’ll be meeting.
- Communication is a key competency for successful job performance – HR managers want to see that you can communicate and get your message across. Your video will show them – before they’ve even met you – that you are an agile and effective communicator.
Framing: See the video as helping someone get to know you
The idea of making a video can make some people feel like they are “selling” themselves or boasting. When you are making your video, keep the purpose in mind, or ‘frame’ the video as a way to allow us to get to know you. It truly is about giving us a chance to see if you fit the position, the company, and the team, in advance of meeting you.
Elements of an effective video resume / elevator pitch video:
Use any elements that feel authentic and help you tell your story:
Introduction – Who are you? How did you get to this point in your career?
What do you have to offer? – Why hire you? What could you bring to the team, the company?
What are you passionate about? What drives you? – This doesn’t come through easily in a resume. You can display your passion in a video.
What are your accomplishments? – Give specific examples.
Share references / accolades – Recommended but not required. Not suitable for all types of video.
Call to action – What should people do after they watch your video? (Invite you for an interview, contact you, connect with you on LinkedIn, share your video with contacts that could benefit from your skills.)
- Aim for a video between 30 – 90s
- Provide a short, professional looking link: Use a URL shortener like bitly.com
Types of videos:
Videos of you introducing yourself (Talking head videos): Your passions and personality come through clearly in this type of video; they feel honest and conversational. These videos are a way to deliver your ‘elevator pitch’ or a way to preemptively answer the dreaded, ‘So, tell me about yourself’.
- Need help writing an elevator pitch to use as a script?: Watch our Personal Branding webinar for some fantastic tips: http://bit.ly/BCNPersonalBranding
- Have a friend interview you and speak freely (you will edit down to the best parts at the end). Talking to a friend will bring a natural energy and warmth out of you. A friend could also prompt you to speak about strengths they notice, but you may take for granted.
Work sample videos: Show them what you can do. Have you given webinars, talks or produced videos or video content for work? Share it.
- We shared a work sample video above. It works.
Hybrid videos: As you would expect, these combine advantages of talking head and work sample videos. Here you edit together elements of you delivering your pitch and videos or still shots of work samples. You can use these videos to display positive references that could sound boastful, being said by you, but are valuable to say and support your capabilities. Hybrid videos can give a more complete picture of you.
- www.invideo.io is a simple tool for making hybrid videos
Conclusion
Videos stand out in the sea of resumes and increase your chances of getting a meeting. A good video can give HR and hiring managers a clearer picture of you; showcasing your communications skills, creativity, and enthusiasm in way that resumes simply can’t.
In our experience, planning a little and experimenting a lot, goes a long way. Don’t get lost in the planning process if it means that you will spend too much time going down a never-ending rabbit hole. Plan something, create it, evaluate it, and adapt it. Then go share it.
Please contact us on LinkedIn with any questions.
Dr. Evelina Ascalon is an accomplished Human Resources Professional with proven expertise in the human capital and management diagnostics arena. Experienced in global settings serving senior to executive level clients. www.ascalontalent.com
Anissa Heyse is a strategic marketer and scientific writer. She brings to her work, 5 years as a regular columnist at Laboratory Focus Magazine an MBA in International Business and over 10 years in the biotech industry. www.savoirdire.org