The top 3 mistakes video resumes make and what you can do differently.

Video Resume Mistake 1: Read Your Resume to the Camera
This is the most common video resume mistake – boring. Remember in your creative writing class when they told you, “Show it, don’t tell it”?
Video gives you so much opportunity to show and demonstrate who you are. I mean, you may or may not be handsome or pretty and all that, but people want to see and experience when they watch a video. If you wear your suit and begin rattling off your past experiences, don’t expect people to watch longer than 10 or 20 seconds. HR professionals are busy people.

Anecdote:
Use drama to hook them right away.
Use video testimonials from past bosses or old co-workers for social proof.
Show footage of your old company’s offices, websites or products to visually represent your experiences.
Don’t just tell them about it — be creative and find a way to demonstrate what you do well.

Video Resume Mistake 2: Ignore Your Personality
Your personality is going to be one of the ONLY things that differentiates you in today’s “employer’s market.” Believe me, there will always be someone more experienced, more educated, and more qualified than you. But there will never be another you.
Stare at the camera and rattle on about your education and you’ll be shut down FAST.

Anecdote:
Focus on character development.
How does your video image tie into your brand?
PERSONALITY!

Video Resume Mistake 3: Single Shot
Most video resumes are single shot and single take, even though most computers these days come with free video editing software (yes, even Windows comes with this stuff these days).
Film is supposed to be visually interesting, so even if you don’t want to use a soundtrack, you should at least use a B-Roll. B-roll is when you cut away to another image to create a sense of transition, and more practically to cover up a bad take.

Anecdote:
Film your resume in at least two locations and cut between both on the final product.
Don’t be afraid to use headlines and subtitles in the film to create context and transition.
Vary your costume and setting to create an illusion of the passing of time.

Just Do It
Chances are you are not going to get it right the first time. Most people take the easy way out, put on a suit and tie, stare at the camera, and read. This is a cop-out. Put some effort into your video presentation.

Your first results may be terrible. But keep trying.