Job hunting is so competitive that it has become imperative to come up with innovative ways that will make you stand out from other job seekers.

Video Curriculum Vitae’s (CV) are a good way to not only stand out but also provide your potential employer with more information about you.

Whether you are sending in an application that requires a video CV or just want to add it to your portfolio as a way of showing some initiative, we have a few tips to help you out.

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The essentials you need to cover in your resume include education, your previous work experience and interests.

You also need to ensure that by the end of the video, the potential employer knows why they should hire you.

But before you hit record on your camera or phone, you need to decide what type of video you are going to create.

Some people are camera shy, and do not want to record a video of themselves in front of the camera. A good way to get around this would be to create an animated video or a whiteboard video which would not require you to appear on camera.

Those that are comfortable in front of the camera will have to decide the style and tone of the video which will depend on the field of the work they are in.

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Here are some tips to help you create the best video CV and get your dream job.

Write a script

The first thing you need to do when creating a video CV is write out a script to help you remember every point you want to make in the video.

Also make sure that you add information that is not in your paper CV to avoid redundancy.

For those that will be on camera, it would be best to memorise the script because reading it might come off robotic and not as natural.

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Get inspiration

The internet is a great resource to gather information on topics you are not well versed in. If you have no idea where to start with making your video CV, watch a few of them online.

YouTube has a number of videos that share tips that will help you get started with yours.

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Get straight to the point

Employers receive hundreds of applications per job post so they might not have time to watch a long video CV.

Make sure that your video is short, informative and concise.

According to research by Wistia, the ideal video length for maximum viewer engagement is 1-2 minutes. Ninety seconds is the sweet spot and anything more than two minutes will face losing engagement.

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Personalize the video

Just like you do for your paper CV, you need to personalize your video according to the job post you are applying for.

A generic video might not capture your employers attention or impress them as much as a personalized one will.

Dress the part

If you are going to be on camera, ensure that you are dressed the part. Depending on your field of work, dress like you would for the job interview.

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Be neat and presentable, and be aware of the colours you wear and how they contrast against your background.

Follow guidelines

If the video CV was required as part of the application then you need to make sure you follow the guidelines given to you. Try to find creative ways to make it your own.

Get reviews

When you are done editing your masterpiece send it to your friends, mentors or family to get their feedback. They might notice things that you didn’t or give you ideas to make your video stand out even more.

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Remember to have a little fun when recording your video CV, and you will be sure to land your dream job.