As job seekers and consultants, when writing up a resume and sending it along to a potential employer, often times we are left wishing we had some sort of outlet we could use to actually show them what we are truly about. To show them that our communication skills are top notch and portray to them that we are confident and sure of ourselves. A resume can say that we possess all of these qualities, but to an employer these are essentially just bloated words on paper. It doesn’t truly prove that we actually possess all of these qualities. Thankfully, with the integration of Spark Hire’s Profile Video you can finally let your communication skills, personality and confidence shine.
The Profile Video on Spark Hire is a 60-second chance for you to visually show companies what you are all about. In a way, it brings your resume to life, but it does even more than that. With the profile video, a company can see and hear you and much like a picture, that’s worth a thousand words. That said, there are certain things you should focus on in your profile video and certain things you should avoid. Take a look at some of the following tips and be on your way to creating a stellar Spark Hire Profile Video.
Don’t Resume Repeat
True, the profile video is a bit like an extension of your resume, but you don’t want to say the same things your resume says. You want to say something that you wouldn’t be able to say in your resume and bring good attention to you while leaving an impression on the viewer. For instance, don’t start the video by saying where you’re from and what industry you are in. Employers can see that right away from your profile and your resume. Use this time wisely and be creative.
You, You and You Again
This profile video is all about you. After all, it’s on your profile page. It might be a good idea to tell viewers what it is you want out of a job and what you can bring to the table. Do you want a job where you are constantly learning or a job where you can travel all the time? What gets you motivated and what makes you a hard worker? These are all things companies want to hear, but you don’t really have a chance to say it in your resume. This is also a chance where you can elaborate on your skills, giving concrete examples.
Be Creative
You only have 60 seconds in your Profile Video, so make those 60 seconds count. Be creative and think of a great way to pull the employer/viewer in and force them to keep watching your video. It may be helpful to think of the Profile Video as an elevator pitch. You only have a short amount of time and you want to wow the listener/viewer. You want it to be interesting and different than any other person’s video. Take some time before you start recording and think of some ideas that would make your video more creative and interesting.
Rough Draft
Once you have a good idea of what you want to say and do in your Profile Video, it would be wise to write down an outline covering the main points you want to emphasize upon. You don’t want to write out a script and repeat it word for word because it wouldn’t sound natural when you recorded it. You do, however, want to have bullet points of important things you want to cover. That way, when you are recording, you won’t get lost and confused and your recording will likely go smother because of it.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you have your outline written out, sit in front of your webcam and practice recording your Video. This isn’t a live video, so you can record and re-record it as many times as you want, perfecting it each time. I would suggest recording your video at least 3 or 4 times before you post a final one. After practicing it many times you will know what you want to say and will have found better ways to say it. You have an unlimited amount of time, so take advantage of it.
Speak Loudly and Clearly
Perhaps most important of all, you want your viewers to be able to hear and understand what you are saying. Speak loudly and make sure you are clearly annunciating your words. Playback your video and make sure you can hear yourself. Even better, play the video for someone else and ask their advice. Can they understand and hear everything you are saying? If not, record the video again taking note of your volume and speech. If you sound muffled, perhaps you should consider buying a microphone instead of using your webcam’s built-in one.
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