Considering the video CV

By: Together Abroad 31-10-2014 5:58 PM
Categories: ** HR Trends in Recruitment,

There are various ways of presenting a resume or CV to catch the eye of a recruiter. There is also a growing trend of sending a video CV or resume to HR to land the perfect job – especially in public relations, sales, marketing and media sectors, where good communication and presentation skills are quintessential.

“Video CV’s differentiate you from the crowd. Employers can immediately see how well you present yourself,” says Reyndert Coppelmans, who used to make video CVs in The Netherlands before heading sales and marketing at Treeveo in Spain.

Video resumes can come in two forms – a profile and an application video.

Profile video resume:
In a profile video, the candidate presents him or herself, their skills and the position they are looking for. To gain good traction, the candidate can also upload the video on personal or professional websites such as LinkedIn and even send one along with covering letters.

Application video resume:
The application video is where applicants record themselves answering pre-set questions sent by recruiters. In turn, recruiters gain a sense of the applicants’ personality and see how well they present themselves. It saves them time and money in terms of organizing first-round interviews.

Applicants can also have a professional-made video CV. It can be costly to have one done professionally – depending on the service package, prices can start from over €200 to €400 and more for a one minute video.

However, if you want to make your own video CV, Coppelmans advices: “Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. If you don’t feel comfortable in front of a camera, try recording yourself a few times in front of friends and family. Keep it clear and short, with a dash of your personality thrown in.”

Tips for making a video CV:
1) Remember 80% of communication is non-verbal. So ace that non-verbal stuff. Smile, relax and look at the camera


2) Look your best – dress as you would for a face-to-face interview


3) Keep the background simple and quiet. Turn off TV, radio and other communication devices

4) Start by introducing yourself. Create a coherent story line with your elevator pitch and what great skills you bring to the position. Finish with introducing yourself again and provide contact details. Practice beforehand so that this information is at your fingertips and your presentation is effortless and flawless 

5) Keep the video to a maximum of two minutes. A short and succinct presentation is essential in keeping your recruiter engaged 

6) Get creative. It is this element that will get you noticed

By Sue Lawrence

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