We recently found out that people are making their own video CVs and putting them up on sites such as YouTube. I'd stumbled across a video job application a couple of years ago, but I had no idea that it was a reasonably common thing to do.
There's been some discussion here about how useful these sorts of videos are. The consensus is that they're probably not enough on their own. Although YouTube is increasingly a site where users look for information previously found via search engines (product reviews for example) I'm not sure that it's yet a first point of call for employers looking for staff.
Video CVs or job applications should be used in conjunction with tried and tested methods like paper CVs and covering letters. Indeed, the video should be an adjunct, not the main focus of your efforts (though take care over its creation). It's just one part of a little bundle of information that gives people a bit more insight into who you are and what you're about.
Having looked at various videos, it's clear that some people put effort into them, but often fall short in terms of production. Thus, I've come up with some simple tips for people who want make a video like this and, of course, for employers. By seeing what not to do, you'll spot the people who have put the most effort into creating their video.
And what are my qualifications? Well, I used to be an actor in film and TV and have edited a lot of audio for broadcast (at a professional standard, according to one editor I spoke to). More important than that, I'm a punter. If I can see that some videos could be improved, other people can too.
Before we get to the videos, please bear in mind we've just picked them as examples. We make no comment on the abilities of the people in them, nor do we know if the videos have yet been successful in finding them jobs.
This has a lot of ambient noise and the speaker tries to get far too much information into it; so much so, that he's looking at a cue card to know what to say next. If he can't remember everything, how is the viewer supposed to?
Tips: Make sure the sound is clear. Keep the video simple and short. Use it to get your most important points across, then leave the rest for a paper CV and/or a meeting.
This guy looks anxious and he keeps shifting in his seat while speaking to the camera. For some people making a video might be quite stressful, but one should try to be as relaxed and happy as possible. Remember that an employer needs to imagine you in their office.
This next point is slightly tricky because, well, the guy does have quite a strong Latin American accent (of course that's relative – I'm sure in some places my accent would be tricky to understand). What is important however is that, whatever your accent, you speak as clearly as possible, you shouldn't make your audience work hard at understanding you.
Lessons: Smile, enunciate and remember how your shot is framed.
Before we finish, I'm going to give you two more links. The first is to, perhaps, the best all-round video CV I've found. Yes, it's a little older than the others, but it's well shot, got good sound, is short and compelling. The guy comes across as more than a potential employee – he's a potential colleague.
The final link we have is a lesson for you. Whatever you say in your video and CV, make sure you can back it up and that it can withstand scrutiny and research. Even if you make some good points, anything that doesn't ring true can cause you no end of trouble. And could end up being mighty amusing for the rest of us.
