Use Screencastify to Create a Video Resume!

Sending out traditional, text-based resumes and never hearing back from potential employers can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. But there are ways to separate yourself through creativity, for example switching things up and trying creating a video resume!

A video resume can be a short video (usually one to two minutes long) that showcases your skills, experience, and personality to potential employers. It can be a great way to stand out in a crowded job market and give hiring managers a more well-rounded understanding of who you are and what you can bring to their organization.

Here are some tips on how to create a successful video resume with Screencastify:

1. Choose a professional-looking setting 🖥

While it might be tempting to film your video resume on your couch or in your bedroom, it's important to choose a setting that looks professional. This can be especially important if you are filming on a webcam or smartphone, as the background and lighting will be more noticeable.

Here are some ideas for professional settings you could use for your video resume:

A quiet, well-lit room with a plain background: This could be an office or conference room at work, or even a spare room in your home. Make sure the lighting is good and that there are no distractions in the background (like clutter or personal items).
A co-working space: Many cities have co-working spaces that you can rent by the hour or day. These spaces usually have professional-looking conference rooms or private offices that you can use for filming.
An outdoor location with a clean and simple backdrop: If you want to film in a more natural setting, choose a location with a clean and simple backdrop, like a park or a beach. Just make sure the lighting is good and that there is little to no background noise.

Whatever setting you choose, make sure it looks professional and is free of distractions. Avoid filming in cluttered or noisy environments, and make sure the lighting is good so that you look clear and well-lit on camera.

Related: Check Screencastify Squad member Brittany share tips for building a video resume!

2. Introduce yourself and your goals 🚀

Start your video resume by introducing yourself and explaining what job you are applying for and why you are interested in it. This helps to set the tone for the rest of the video and gives hiring managers a sense of your motivation and enthusiasm for the role.

Here are some tips for introducing yourself effectively in your video resume:

Keep it brief: While you want to give a good overview of your background and goals, it's important to keep your introduction brief and to the point. Aim for a short, one- to two-sentence introduction that gives the key information about who you are and what you are looking for.
Use a confident, friendly tone: Your introduction is your first chance to make a good impression, so make sure to use a confident and friendly tone of voice. Smile and make eye contact with the camera, as this will help to convey your enthusiasm and personality.
Use specific language: Instead of just saying that you are "interested in a career in marketing," explain why you are interested and what specific skills or experiences you have that make you a good fit for the field. This will give hiring managers a better understanding of your motivations and goals.

Here are a few examples of effective introductions:

"Hi, my name is [Name] and I am a recent graduate with a degree in Marketing. I am excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at [Company] because I am passionate about helping businesses grow and thrive through effective marketing strategies."
"Hello, my name is [Name] and I am a highly motivated sales professional with over five years of experience in the tech industry. I am excited to apply for the Account Manager position at [Company] because I believe my skills in relationship building and problem-solving will be a valuable asset to your team."
"Hi there, my name is [Name] and I am a customer service professional with over ten years of experience in the retail industry. I am excited to apply for the Customer Service Manager position at [Company] because I am passionate about helping people and believe my skills in conflict resolution and team management will be a great fit for your organization."

By introducing yourself clearly and confidently in your video resume, you can set the stage for a strong and effective presentation of your skills and experience.

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3. Highlight your skills and experience 🛠

Focus on highlighting your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It's important to be specific and use concrete examples to illustrate your abilities and achievements. For example, instead of just saying that you have "great communication skills," describe a time when you used those skills to successfully lead a team project or solve a difficult problem. For example:

"I achieved a 100% conversion rate on leads from trade shows by implementing a targeted follow-up strategy and delivering personalized demonstrations to potential clients."
"I exceeded sales quotas by an average of 15% over the past three years by consistently identifying new sales opportunities and upselling existing customers."
"I developed and implemented a training program for new sales staff that resulted in a 25% increase in productivity within the first six months."

You can also use numbers and statistics to quantify your accomplishments. For instance, if you increased sales at your previous job, specify by how much and over what time period. This helps to give hiring managers a clear understanding of the scope and impact of your work. For example:

"Launched a successful social media campaign that resulted in a 50% increase in website traffic and a 30% increase in sales revenue."
"Developed and implemented a content marketing strategy that resulted in a 25% increase in leads and a 15% increase in customer engagement."
"Led a team that increased email open rates by 20% and click-through rates by 30% through targeted segmentation and personalization efforts."

In addition to technical skills and job-specific experience, consider highlighting any transferable skills you have that may be relevant to the role. These could include problem-solving, teamwork, time management, or leadership.

Examples of transferable skills:

Communication skills: a customer service representative who is able to effectively explain a company's policies to customers over the phone could also use those same communication skills to lead a team meeting or write a report.
Problem-solving skills: a software engineer who is skilled at debugging code could also use those same problem-solving skills to troubleshoot technical issues in other contexts, such as diagnosing a malfunctioning appliance or finding a solution to a business challenge.
Leadership skills: a project manager who is able to motivate and coordinate a team of developers to deliver a software project on time could also use those same leadership skills to lead a team in a different industry, such as marketing or sales.
Time management skills: a teacher who is able to create and stick to a lesson plan in order to cover all necessary material within a given timeframe could also use those same time management skills to manage their workload as a freelancer or consultant.
Interpersonal skills: a salesperson who is able to build rapport with customers and persuade them to make a purchase could also use those same interpersonal skills to negotiate with vendors or build partnerships with other businesses.
Adaptability: an IT professional who is able to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly could also use that same adaptability to switch to a new role or industry if the opportunity arises.
Creativity: a graphic designer who is able to come up with creative solutions for design challenges could also use those same creative skills to come up with new ideas for marketing campaigns or product development.

As you highlight your skills and experience, be sure to use language that is clear and easy to understand. Avoid jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to everyone. And, if you are applying for a role in a specific industry, make sure to use industry-specific language and terminology to demonstrate your familiarity with the field.

Overall, the goal is to paint a comprehensive picture of your skills and experience that showcases your value and potential as an employee. By using specific examples and quantifying your achievements, you can give hiring managers a clear understanding of what you can bring to the table and how you can contribute to their organization.

4. Show your personality 🙋

A video resume is a great opportunity to show potential employers your personality and what makes you unique. While it's important to keep things professional and appropriate for the job you are applying for, there are still plenty of ways you can inject a little bit of your own personality into the video.

Here are a few tips for showing your personality in a professional way:

Use your body language and facial expressions to convey your enthusiasm and energy. Smile and make eye contact with the camera, and use expressive hand gestures to illustrate your points.
Use a friendly, approachable tone of voice. While you don't want to come across as too casual or unprofessional, it's okay to let a little bit of your personality shine through in your voice.
Share your passions and interests. If you have hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job you are applying for, feel free to mention them in your video resume. This can help to give hiring managers a sense of who you are outside of work and what makes you unique.
Share your sense of humor. While it's important to be professional, it's okay to inject a little bit of humor into your video resume as long as it's appropriate and not overly casual. This can help to show your personality and make you more relatable to potential employers.

Here are a few examples of how you might show your personality in your video resume:

"I'm a big fan of social media and am always looking for ways to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and platforms. That's why I'm excited to apply for the Social Media Manager position at [Company]. I know I can bring a fresh perspective and creative ideas to the table."
"I have a passion for sustainability and environmental conservation, which is why I'm excited to apply for the Environmental Engineer position at [Company]. I know I can make a real difference in this role and contribute to the company's sustainability efforts."
"I'm a huge foodie and love trying new recipes and exploring different cuisines. That's why I'm excited to apply for the Chef position at [Company]. I know my passion for food and attention to detail will make me a valuable asset to your team."

By showing your personality in a professional and appropriate way, you can help to differentiate yourself from other candidates and give hiring managers a better understanding of who you are and what makes you unique.

5. Record your screen 🎬

With Screencastify, you can easily record your screen as part of your video resume. This can be especially helpful if you want to show your work or demonstrate a specific skill or task. By recording your screen, you can give hiring managers a more in-depth understanding of your abilities and experience.

There are a few different ways you can use Screencastify to record your screen as part of your video resume:

Demonstrate your work: If you have a portfolio of work or specific projects you want to highlight, recording your screen can be a great way to showcase your skills and achievements. You can walk hiring managers through your work, explaining the process and challenges you faced, and demonstrating the final product.
Show your technical skills: If you have technical skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for, recording your screen can be a great way to demonstrate your proficiency. You can show how you use specific software or tools, or highlight your ability to troubleshoot and solve problems.
Create a tutorial or "how-to" video: If you have expertise in a particular area or subject, you can use Screencastify to create a tutorial or "how-to" video as part of your video resume. This can be a great way to showcase your knowledge and teaching abilities, and can help you stand out from other candidates.

Including a screencast of your screen using Screencastify in your video resume allows hiring managers to gain a more thorough understanding of your abilities and background, helping you to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

6. Keep it short and sweet ✂️

Remember that hiring managers are busy people, so it's important to keep your video resume as concise as possible. A video that is too long or rambling can lose the attention of the viewer and may not effectively showcase your skills and experience.

Here are some tips for keeping your video resume short and to the point:

Aim for a video that is one to two minutes long: While you want to give a good overview of your skills and experience, it's important to be mindful of the viewer's time.
Use bullet points or a script to guide your presentation: Before you start filming, take some time to outline the key points you want to make in your video resume. This will help you stay focused and avoid rambling or going off on tangents. Pro tip you can use these tips to help you hide your notes so you can refer to them without the viewer seeing them. See how here:

Edit out any unnecessary sections: After you have filmed your video resume, go through it and cut out any sections that are unnecessary or don't add value. This could include long pauses, filler words, or unnecessary repetition.
Be concise and clear: When describing your skills and experience, use concise, clear language that gets to the point quickly. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to everyone, and focus on the key points that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

By following these tips, you can create a short and sweet video resume that effectively showcases your skills and experience without wasting the viewer's time.

7. Edit and proofread 📝

Before you send out your video resume, it's important to make sure it is well-edited and free of mistakes. This means cutting out any unnecessary sections, smoothing out transitions, and fixing any typos or errors. A well-edited video resume will give a much more polished and professional impression to potential employers.

Here are some tips for editing and proofreading your video resume:

Use a video editing tool: There are many video editing tools available that can help you to cut out unnecessary sections, and fix mistakes in your video resume. Some popular options include Screencastify, Adobe Premiere, and Final Cut Pro.
Watch your video resume multiple times: It can be helpful to watch your video resume multiple times to catch mistakes and areas that could be improved. Make a list of things you want to change or fix, and go through your video carefully to make the necessary edits.
Get feedback from a friend or colleague: It can be helpful to get feedback on your video resume from someone else. Ask a friend or colleague to watch your video and give you honest feedback on things like your delivery, content, and overall presentation.
Proofread carefully: Don't forget to proofread your video resume carefully for typos and other mistakes. Even small errors can give the impression of carelessness or lack of attention to detail, so it's important to double-check your work before you send it out.

By taking the time to edit and proofread your video resume carefully, you can create a polished and professional final product that will give a great impression to potential employers.

8. Practice before you film 🎥

It's natural to be nervous when filming a video resume, but the more you practice beforehand, the more comfortable and confident you will be on camera. This can be especially important if you are not used to speaking on camera or have never made a video resume before.

Here are some tips for practicing before you film your video resume:

Write out a script or bullet points: Before you start filming, take some time to plan out what you want to say. This could be as simple as making a list of bullet points or writing out a full script. Having a clear idea of what you want to say will help you stay focused and avoid rambling or going off on tangents.
Practice in front of a mirror: One of the best ways to practice your delivery is to stand in front of a mirror and deliver your lines as if you were speaking to the camera. This can help you get a feel for your body language and facial expressions, and allow you to make any necessary adjustments.
Record yourself and watch the footage: Another helpful way to practice is to record yourself on a webcam or smartphone and watch the footage

In conclusion, creating a video resume can be a great way to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. By following the tips outlined above, you can create a professional and engaging video resume that will help you stand out from the competition and land your dream job.

If you're ready to create a professional and engaging video resume, give Screencastify a try! With Screencastify, you can record and edit your video resume with ease, and stand out from the competition.

Start using Screencastify today and take the first step towards landing your dream job!