Visume: What are its Advantages and How To Create One?

Visume stands for “video resume” - a brief video version of a traditional resume.

This have been around for quite some time, but recently its popularity has soared. This article looks at the advantages of having a visume and how to go about creating one.

In July 2021, TikTok launched a pilot program called TikTok Resumes, where users could create a video CV showcasing their skills and experience to send directly to participating recruiters. Many companies including major US brands such as *Target, Chipotle and World Wrestling Entertainment, have signed up for the one-month pilot.

In March 2021, LinkedIn announced the launch of its new LinkedIn Profile features, and one of the functions is allowing candidates to upload a short video to their Profile. According to LinkedIn, almost 79% of hiring managers believe video has become more important for vetting job candidates.

With the rising demand for video CVs, candidates could take advantage of the tool to help them stand out to hiring managers because video resumes can highlight candidates’ personality and bring life to their stories better, unlike the traditional resume that could not project voice or animations.

So, how to make a video resume like a pro?

You don’t need huge investments to create one. Here are the steps to creating a visume:

1. Prepare a script.

Your script should include your name, overview of work experience, key achievements, skills and why you think you are the best fit for the role.

2. Prepare the tools for video shooting.

You will need a decent smartphone, a standee for the phone, a wireless microphone that is compatible with your phone, and a portable selfie ring light. Make sure the batteries are fully charged before the shooting session.

3. Set up the shooting location.

Choose a quiet place with sufficient natural sunlight to set up all the tools you have prepared. Your background should best be a plain wall or against a decent setting (or light furniture). Should not show clothes hanging around or messy shelves or people walking around.

4. Record several takes.

How to get rid of anxiety when you’re on camera? Just remember that this is not a live stream. You have many opportunities to re-take the scene, and practice makes perfect. Record several takes and make sure you have vertical and horizontal shots for each scene so that you may choose the best shot for editing purposes.

5. Use video editing tools.

Just search for video editing tools online and select what works for you – some examples include: Animaker, Biteable, or Veed.io. Use a professional-looking template for editing and keep the video’s duration within 2 minutes. Once you’re satisfied with the result, you may download the video resume; remember to keep the file compressed within 10Mb so that it is viable to be sent through email which has limited size capacity.

6. Send out your visume along with your resume.

Don’t forget to attach your visume with your traditional resume. The conventional resume provides detailed information that you may not be able to present within your two-minute visume. As an added easy reference - add a link (from your cloud drive) at the end of your visume so that the recruiter can download a softcopy of your traditional resume easily.

Ready to star in your visume?

A good version can make a big difference in your pitch for jobs and help you stand out from the crowd. Happy recording!