Step 3 Planning your video
It's time to start making decisions. This is a big section full of advice. Go through it bit by bit.
It's time to get ready to film. In this section we will provide advice to help you get ready and make your V-Resume the best it can be.
There are a lot of hints and tips so please don't be overwhelmed – many you have done already or think of quite naturally. Remember to take things bit by bit, with breaks whenever you need.
Timing of your Video
It is important to keep your V-Resume only 1-2 minutes (no longer than 3 minutes though). This will keep the employer interested. Here is a rough guide of how you can time out your video. You can choose the order that flows the best later.
- 5-10 seconds:
Introduce yourself. Welcome your viewers to your Video Resume. - 20-30 seconds:
Tell them about yourself. Talk about your education and where you went to school. Tell the viewer about your personality. - 25-35 seconds:
If you have a current job, talk about it and your responsibilities. Explain what other job roles you can fill because of your experience. You may wish to mention the sort of work you are looking for now. - 20-30 seconds:
Explain what your manager or co-workers or close friends would say about you. Include what you are really good at and can bring to a potential employer. - 3-5 seconds:
State where the viewer can find more information (Eg, Written resume or a website that may show some of your work.) - 5-10 seconds:
Lastly, thank the viewer for watching your Video Resume and end with a call to action. A call to action is a sentence that encourages the viewer to make contact with you.
What to say
There are many options on what you can say in your video and what this could look like. Two options are provided here:
Option 1: Use your script and look directly at the camera
A script is what you want to say in your V-Resume.
One way to create your video is to speak directly to the camera. You sit, speak your script with camera at the same height as your eyes.
Click 'How to write your script' below for more information.
Writing a script
A script is what you want to say in your V-Resume.
For many it is helpful to know what you want to say before you start filming. By writing a script, you have something you can practice before you start filming.
By knowing what you want to say, you will be more confident and relaxed in front of a camera.
The good news is that you already have a great start in writing your script! In Step One and Step Two you identified what is important to you. These can be used in your script.
Hint
Consider having someone sit behind your camera for your first few recordings, so that you'll be presenting to a real person.
Tips for your script
Not too personal
Avoid giving detailed information about you, your family or friends, and pets. You want this to be about your skills not your home life.
Be Measurable
When talking about your skills, give details about how much or how many.
Don't repeat your written resume
Don't repeat what is already in your written resume. Show your personality,
Keep it short
With only 1-2 minutes for your whole V-Resume you want to list the most important points.
Practice, Practice, Practice
You don't want to sound scripted in your video resume. Aim to hit the key points while coming across as naturally as possible. You want to sound friendly and confident.
Tiahnee practiced her script many times before it was filmed. On filming day she read her script out loud then looked up and spoke to the camera. She did at least three takes or short videos of the same sentence to get different facial expressions.
Let's write your script
You can write your script in the Jobseeker Workbook, the V-Partner Booklet or use the 'Answers and Script' menu option on this V-Resume website. It is here you can write your script and print it.
A script is best used for when you are speaking directly to camera.
Your V-Partner can ask you questions from Step One and Step Two and you film your answer. So you will be looking slightly to one side of your camera in your final video. It is recommended you sit at a table for this option as it looks more relaxed and friendly.
Stick to those questions that had the 'Most Important' information from Step One and Step Two. Feel free to ask others too.
Use the Timing layout shown in the section above. This helps you stay focussed whilst having a conversation.
- Sit up and smile
- Pretend the camera isn’t there and you are talking to your V-Partner
- You can write a script for your answer, but it is encouraged to just answer like you did in Step One and Step Two
- Have your V-Partner keep a track of each little video you make. Write down what video it is so you can easily find your best ones later on.
The V-Partner’s voice can be taken out of the video if you choose in Step Five – How to put your video together.
Remember to wait a few seconds between question and answer, this will help with editing later on. Ask the same question a few times, a few different versions of the same answer is helpful!
Watch as Keith and his V-partner have a conversation but also film versions of answering the same question a few times.
Let's write your script
If you want to write your script then you can do this in the Jobseeker Workbook, the V-Partner Booklet or use the 'Answers and Script' menu option on this V-Resume website. It is here you can write your script and print it.
Things to consider
Device to Film with
Have your chosen the device you want to film on yet? Whether it is a mobile, tablet or laptop, choose the device with the best quality recording to film on.
Some things to consider:
- Have you charged your device?
- Do you have a charger nearby just in case?
- You may take lots of short films or complete your video in one shot. Make sure you have enough room on your device to store the videos.
No matter what device you use to film, Step Five – How to put your video together is done on a laptop or computer. Here you are shown how to do move your recorded videos, edit and share the final V-Resume.
Choosing where to film
- Try to keep the background simple by avoiding anything that looks busy or cluttered
- Neutral space (not bedroom or bathroom) – such as dining room or backyard
- If inside, small rooms suit better for good sound quality and less echo
- Listen for background sounds around you in your chosen space. You want to film where it is quiet and only your voice will be hear
- Look behind you. The viewer will notice everything in your video and a busy background can distract their attention from you and what you are saying
Distractions in background
What to Wear
You are trying to impress an employer so be professional but also be comfortable. This means dress for the job you want. Eg, ironed shirt and nice skirt/pants for an office role, neat pants/jeans and top for trades, or jeans and black top for a local café role.
- If you look good you feel good. You do not need to spend your entire day getting dressed. However, you can spend some time finding clean clothes, ironing if you need
- Do not dress too flashy unless it suits your viewers
- Brush your teeth, comb your hair and use some make up (not too much!)
- The viewer wants to see you, so don't wear overly bright, branded or patterned clothes that distract
Getting Ready to Film
Positioning the Camera
When filming you may wish to have your whole body in the video or just your face and shoulders.
Face and Shoulders only
- This is the preferred method for the V-Resume. It allows the viewer to see your facial expressions, emotions, reactions and enthusiasm
- Choose to show yourself doing a skills or activity if you are using your full body on screen. Only do this for a small part of the final video.
- Aim to have the camera at your eye level with your nose around the middle of the screen. You can put a fist on your head to know where the top of the video should be
Full body on screen
- Make sure there is a small amount of space on screen above your head and below your toes
- Choose to show yourself doing a skills or activity if you are using your full body on screen
- When talking about your skills and personality, do not use this style because it is harder to see your face and personality
Speaking on Film
- Speak 30% more excited and energetic than your think you are in real life – the camera takes away some of that enthusiasm, so you have to make it up
- Stay true to yourself and don't be fake
- Make sure you speak clearly, a little louder than normal and a little slower than normal so the camera can pick up your voice
Hint
When you are filming yourself talking, imagine your audience is about 2 meters away from you as you will need to project your voice a little further for good sound quality
