Recently, BCIT and Pearson hosted our 2nd Annual Technical Writing Alumni event, and I promised the Alumni I would re-visit the idea of video resumes.
Are video resumes a good marketing tool for professionals across the board?
Sure thing, as long as you keep the following in mind:
1) Production must be professional.
(this does not mean expensive - but you've got to call in some favours with your friends and colleagues who have decent quality cameras and editing skills)
2) Content must be relevant and dynamic.
(showcase examples of *relevant* work, use captions and brief bulleted text for highlights, keep the video moving, and do NOT talk to the camera for more than 30 seconds at a time - you can narrate off camera, but, sorry, no one wants to stare at your talking head)
3) Video should be short (3 minutes) and should showcase *some* of your personality (while adhering to points 1 & 2 above).
Here're some examples:
A fellow U of Waterloo grad, "G" shows how a non-broadcast professional (an Engineer) can use the genre effectively.
Lauren's resume - even though it's for the broadcast industry - showcases universally desirable traits like organization in a creative way.
For my Technical Writing Alumni - here's a relevant, dynamic, and professional example of a successful Tech Writing Video Resume.
OK - very basic, yet a very do-able and budget-friendly option for Tech Writers without production-savvy buddies. But she *really* needs to speed up the transitions!
Back to the broadcast world - professional, fun, competent - you should also check out Jordan's SweatnSpice hot sauce review videos.
Of the above, hopefully at least one provides the exemplar you need to get rolling on your own video resume.
