How to create an impressive video resume that secures call backs

When all you have to show who you are and why you're perfect for a role is two sides of A4 paper, it's difficult to stand out. Text alone can only convey so much about you and sometimes it feels like you just can't get your message across in the way you want. That's where video comes in.

Video allows you to communicate with visuals, sound and text. It's this combination that provides opportunities to show off your personality and engage hiring managers in ways that Word documents just can't. Plus, if you're saying that you have skills like creativity, innovation or communication, an animated resume shows them in action. You're no longer just talking the talk, you're walking the walk.

So, the only question you're probably left wondering is, "how can I turn my written resume into a video?". We have the answer - read on to learn how in just a few easy steps!

To create your own animated resume using the steps in this blog, log in to VideoScribe or start a free 7-day trial.

Before we dive into the steps, here's a little inspiration for your own animated resume. We think you'll agree that within just 3 minutes you feel like you know Stephen and understand the skills he has and what roles he's looking for. 

So, let's look at how you create your own that's just as impactful.

1. Pick the key points from your written resume

So to start, of course there are some important bits of basic information from your resume that you'll still need to cover. This could include everything from your name and where you live to how many years experience you have in your field.

But that doesn't mean you need to cram everything from your resume into your video. The key here is to take the most important pieces of information about you that are most relevant to the job you're looking for. There's only so many messages we can absorb from one video so pick 5 or 6 points and turn them into a draft script.

2. Outline the skills you want to demonstrate

Now as we said earlier, creating a video not only gives you the opportunity to explain your skills in a more visual way but you can actually demonstrate those skills. If you pride yourself on being creative you could create your own images for your video or showcase a different way of looking at a problem. Or if you're known for being a great communicator, show off your public speaking skills in your voice-over.

Just take the time to consider exactly what skills you want to shine through and how you can bring elements of those out in your video. This will help you create a much more effective and impressive animated resume in the end. So once you've outlined the skills to demonstrate alongside your 5 or 6 key points about yourself, it's time to storyboard.

3. Storyboard your visuals

Storyboarding is a really important part of creating any video. But it's especially important when creating shorter videos that need to pack a punch. By planning out your message and visuals scene-by-scene you can quickly see any areas that are weaker, missing or could be cut. Leaving you with a streamlined video that's going to grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

So how do you create your storyboard? You can use our free editable storyboarding template or create your own on a piece of paper or document. It doesn't have to be fancy or take ages, just so long as you have an idea of how your video will progress.

Storyboarding is also the time when you can start fleshing out the design for your video and decide what colors and images you'll use. This animated resume created by Marianna Moretti is a great example of how you can develop a signature style for your video that adds a professional edge.

4. Record your voice-over to show off your personality

Now let's talk voice-overs. This is really where the magic starts to happen and you can set yourself apart. Unlike text, it's easier to convey emotion like humor, authenticity, warmth and passion through speech which makes candidates stand out.

The video below is a perfect example of how to set the right tone with a friendly and calm voice-over that keeps us watching. Recording your own voice-over like this is easier than you might think too.

Take your draft script from earlier and practice reading it aloud a couple of times to make any final edits and warm up your voice. You can then record directly into VideoScribe or use tools like Audacity for more editing options. For more help and advice on recording your voice-over, check out our full guide here or click below to download our perfect voice-over checklist.

5. Animate to bring your resume to life

That brings us to the final step - building your animations around your voice-over. For this refer back to your handy storyboard and either:

1. Start with a blank canvas - then add images from our library or upload your own, add text and pick music.
2. Or use one of the VideoScribe templates - select a template created by our designers and edit the details to suit your resume. You could pick a template on any topic so long as the design suits you. We think the 'Your Story' template is a great choice, just switch the imagery for photos of you or examples of your work. 

Regardless of whether you want to create something new from scratch or use one of our templates, keep these tips in mind and you'll have an awesome video resume that's ready to share:

• Get creative with your animations and effects, these will keep all eyes on your resume for longer. Learn how here.
• Be mindful of color. Consider adapting your color palette to the brand colors of the company you're applying too. Or create your own consistent color scheme that's unique to you. Just ensure they're cohesive.
• Keep text to a minimum. Of course there will be bits of text that are important to include but always consider whether an image could convey the same message when combined with your voice-over.
• Keep your video short and sweet. Think about how long it normally takes someone to read and review a resume and aim for the same amount of time or less. Around 4 minutes long is a good length.

For those of you reading this blog in the process of applying jobs or looking for a new job, we wish you the best of luck and hope these tips help you secure the job of your dreams.

To create your own video CV, log in to VideoScribe or start a free 7-day trial today (no credit card needed!).