Making Video Resumes for Vocational Students

A Video Resume is a short video created by a jobseeker to showcase their skills and qualifications to potential employers. Many job boards including Career Builder, Jobster and MyWorkster, allow jobseekers the ability to add Video Resumes to their online profiles.

The Video Resume, will not replace your traditional paper resume, but can enhance the presentation of your skills to employers. Here are some tips on using a Video Resume for Vocational students.

TIP-*Students in vocational training programs can always check with the campus career advisors about partnering with film, video or graphic design students to help the others. When I worked at Westwood College in Southern California, I worked with faculty and students in the editing classes to video tape and edit mock interviews. Definite win-win situation!

1. Make sure to follow the employers' guidelines closely if you are using a video resume.
2. Dress professionally in business attire, just as if you were going to an in-person job interview. This is not YouTube.
3. Keep your video resume short at no more than three minutes.
4. Look at the camera not at the desk or table below you. It may take several turns before you are satisfied with your video resume.
5. Don't speak too quickly. Speak clearly and ennunciate.
6. Practice what you're going to say ahead of time as you would for a job interview.
7. Be sure to state your name (first and last). Use your 30-second spot.
8. Focus on your professional endeavors, not your personal life.
9. Discuss your job skills and your value to the company.
10. Thank the viewer for considering you as a job seeker.
11. Make sure there isn't any background noise and that the background is not too busy or distracting.