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How to make your video resume using an interview style

Image via Wikipedia

It’s just about that time of year when everyone comes up with their 2012 goals. One of which is changing jobs…or finding one.

I noticed a change during the summer of 2011. The breadth of skills required included “Social Media” for every job description. Gosh, I even saw a job posting saying you must have at least a specific Klout score! And that wasn’t even for a marketing type job.

Think about what social media illustrates:

Your ability to communicate effectively (140 characters).
Your ability to attract followers (are you a leader with great ideas).
Your ability to engage others (can you communicate with those not like you).

Now, what better way to illustrate these qualities than with a video resume. It shows your ability to communicate effectively, your passion, and your ability to engage an audience. I’ve discussed different type of “Video Resumes” in Your Video Playbook. Below is an example of an “Interview-style video resume”. This type of video requires a little planning, scripting and preparation.

What is the type of position you want (if it is a manager type position, you need to convey your ability to manage)?
What would be an interviewers objection with hiring you (if you changed careers, you will need to build a bridge between the two careers)?
How can you illustrate your friendliness (people want to work with friendly people)?
What skills do you have and want to stress (itemize three)?
What are you passionate about (people connect through emotion before analytical thinking)?

Once you have thought the above questions through, find someone who could act as a great interviewer on camera. I asked a colleague of mine. Kevin Thompson is a career coach for Inspired Communications. He has known me for several years. We even competed against each other on the speaker circuit. Kevin and I are in the same Mastermind Group so he watched my transition to being a Video Strategist. Kevin was a great person to act as an interviewer who would ask me questions to make me look my best.

Find your Kevin Thompson! Someone who really wants to see you succeed. Someone who can talk to a camera.

Discuss what you need to convey with your interviewer. If he or she knows you well, ask for what qualities (good ones) come to mind first. Allow him or her to express those qualities as an opening.

EVERYONE Googles you before the interview. Your Klout score may not matter but your Google Juice will. With the hundreds of individuals submitting a paper resume for the same job, why not send a Video Resume. Passion and friendliness does not come across in a paper version. Passion and freindliness CONNECTS through video. Just keep it short, to the point, and most importantly…friendly and engaging. Get help…creating a video resume that looks like a geek on a WebCam will do more harm than good.

HOW TO: Spruce Up a Boring Resume [INFOGRAPHIC] (mashable.com)
New Video Resume Web Site for Job Seekers, Recruiters Launches at theJobSight.com (prweb.com)
Death to the Resume? (bmc24me.wordpress.com)
Video Killed the Job Seeker’s Chances (personalbrandingblog.com)

6 Lessons learned using two cheap camcorders for a shoot

Image by WITNESS.org via Flickr

It’s interesting. Our phones and point-n-shoot camcorders are getting better and better quality. The problem occurs when you are using a two camera shoot with different manufactured camcorders.

A colleague of mine, Kevin Thompson and I decided to create a quick video that would support both our businesses. Kevin helps many people uncover their strengths and passion to formulate a new career. Well, I was a perfect case study. I wanted to try a 2-camera shoot using different camcorders as an example for a post just like this one. Kevin had a original Flip & I had my Kodak zi8. We had a 1/2 hour window in a conference room where he was to present that evening.

We both came with a tripod and our point-n-shoot camcorder. That was all that was in common and thus…these six lessons learned:

Make sure your tripods and camcorders are set at the same level. You may not be able to edit to have the same angle. Make sure one isn’t pointed up your nose and the other down. Try to have both camcorders pointing at the same eye level (even if one person is taller than the other). This actually has nothing to do with the quality of the camcorder. This is all about setting the stage.
Remember the 180-degree rule. Both camcorders need to be on the same side…one pointed more at one person and the other one pointed at the other person. Make sure both camcorders have both of you within shot. Again, this applies to any type of camcorder. Even the best camcorder can cut off someone’s head or shoulder. Take a 3 second test before the full take.
Every manufacturer has a different color recording method. The Flip cast a bluer hue than the Kodak. During the editing phase, it was complicated trying to get the background (in this case the white wall) to look the same. It’s bad enough when the lighting changes. Playing with color balances requires a more sophisticated video editing software.
Record both camcorders at the same definition. Kevin recorded his at standard definition, I at high definition. When creating the video, you need to render at the highest quality and the right aspect ratio to avoid the black lines on the sides. If at all possible, record at high-definition…720p at least. Unfortunately, the Flip was older and didn’t have high-definition.
Use a separate audio recorder. They have better sound quality than the point-n-shoot camcorders. Having a separate audio file will save you time by using ONE audio file and two video files. Remember to clap a second or two before you start the interview. It’s a great “marker” when you are aligning (syncing) all three files.
Know what you want to say and the objectives for both your needs. Kevin and I discussed our hopes for the video and how we hope to use them before starting the camera. Kevin knew what questions to ask to promote my “purple cow” skills. I knew to give Kevin the credit he deserves.

OK, here is the video Kevin & I created with one take. It’s a great social video … using two cheap camcorders:

What do you think? What has been your experience using a two camcorder shoot with point-n-shoot camcorders? We want to know. Leave a comment below.

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Review (brighthub.com)
Kodak’s waterproof EasyShare Sport and PlaySport are vacation-ready, in stores now (zdnet.com)
How to Choose the Right Tripod for Your Camcorder (brighthub.com)

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