10 Video Resume Do's & Dont's

With unemployment rates at an all-time high, the competition for jobs is fierce. One way to stand out is submitting a video resume. At Organic, we accept any and all forms of resume submissions, including video resumes. The idea of sharing personal content is not new, as many of our creative applicants provide links to non work related art and activities. However, submitting video resumes hasn't taken hold at all levels just yet, although it is increasing in popularity as a new generation of media savvy talent enters the workforce.

We solicit video resumes for interns. We find that it shows us which entry level people are willing to go above and beyond to join us in our ongoing quest to create holistic brand experiences for our clients. We expect our interns and all hires to be media savvy, so this is a proactive tool we use to help us identify the best candidates and cull the hundreds of resumes down to a manageable few.

Some employers are hesitant to encourage or accept video resumes as then potential discrimination liability. This is an example of typical HR paranoia, as anyone you interview you will eventually see in person before you hire them anyway. I say, keep the video's coming, as they are a developing, meaningful method of expressing career interest! However, please keep the following tips in mind...

Five video resume "Do's"

* Be like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Think they don't rehearse? Of course they do. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Flubbing your lines is not acceptable.

* It's your first date! Be on your best behavior. Be genuine. Be yourself. Brush your hair. Feel free to omit the cologne.

* Elvis returns?! Find a headline. Something made you read this article. Find a hook that will entice the recruiter to watch your video. Have a pithy pitch and get it out there fast.

* Wear a red dress. Not literally. But, find a positive way to stand out from the crowd. Any small detail that will set you apart from the competition is that "gift" that makes you interesting and worth calling in for the all important interview.

* Find your own Dear Abby. If you can't edit yourself or give yourself good advice on what is working and what isn't...Find someone who can. If you don't, you are likely to include too much information! Pare it down! Brevity is key!

Five video resume "Don't's"

* Don't let your little brother shoot your video. Create a relatively professional video. Would you let your 12 year old brother write your resume for you? Of course not. Seriously, don't submit a video that looks like the first video you ever created.

* Conan O'Brien is a comedian. You're not. Sorry! It's a fine line between engaging and clueless. Err on the safe side and don't try to be too funny or too clever.

* In the age of irony, it's a challenge, but...Don't be a hater. Nobody likes a negative Nancy. Never, ever, say or do anything that implies negativity. Not even in an allegedly ironic way. It doesn't work.

* Avoid the Joe Biden problem of TMI. Censor yourself. Limit what's interesting about you to 2-3 minutes. Stick with professional details and one or two personal details that relate in some way to how wonderful you will be at the job.

* Stay away from the Cyrano de Bergerac Trap! Let's face it, most of us aren't photogenic. That's ok. Just be your glorious self. Don't have your cute cousin stand in for you because if you get an interview...that could be real awkward.

Video resumes are definitely gaining traction amongst newer entrants to the workforce. As a candidate, keep your target audience in mind: it's still an interview, not an audition. Don't forget the point of why you are putting your video resume together; the point is to get a job, so act accordingly! As Ross Pasquale, our lead recruiter in San Francisco says, " You should begin with the end in mind."

Story By Tracy Cote of ThreeMinds