Video Resume Do's and Don'ts

A new trend in the world of job applications is the video resume, a job applicant's video introduction to himself.

These brief movies can be a great tool for helping a person stick out from the pack, and they're a great idea for anyone looking to get an edge. Here are some helpful do's and don'ts for filming your video resume professionally and successfully.

DO

Keep it brief. Your prospective employer probably doesn't have a whole lot of time, so get to the point and explain as much information as you can within 5-10 minutes.

DO pay attention to lighting. Put a lamp behind you and use the correct white balance setting (you can find out more about this from your camcorder owner's manual). Make sure that you look natural, and use a camcorder; DON'T use a low quality webcam that gives off a greenish hue (unless your prospective bosses work with algae quite a bit). Physical appearance and confidence are extremely important in any video resume, and good lighting can help with both.

DO talk about your professional qualifications, but DON'T talk too much about your personal life. I've interviewed some hapless folks who spent the entire time talking about how they'd cooked for their siblings when they were younger--this is nice, but not particularly impressive in a professional context. Talk about what you've achieved at previous jobs and what you plan to achieve in the future, and if you do include information about your personal life, be sure to explain how it ties into the context of your occupation.

DO plan out what you're going to say, but DON'T read off the script. You'll come off as a much more powerful applicant if you look directly into the camera. Don't cut the tape either, but do everything in one continuous shot.

DO smile. Especially right when you start your video resume--you want to make a good impression, after all, and a good smile is the best way to do that. DON'T get too casual, though--jokes may not translate well over a camcorder and an Internet connection.