How to gain an unfair advantage in the job market

Did you know that body language represents 93% of communication?

Your voice, your tone, your facial expressions, postures, and gestures all play a crucial role in how other people perceive you. When a recruiter is looking at possible candidates, they are not only looking at work experience and accomplishments but also at how the candidate might fit into their team and work culture.

Let’s face it, the world as we know it has changed and might never be the same again! We find ourselves living in an exceptional time. Remote working is more common than ever, and increasingly more people are looking for new job opportunities. Employers no longer get 50 applicants for a job; they have to screen and go through 500 nowadays.

Rihanna said « shine bright like a diamond » and this has never been so true if you are looking for work right now. This is where video messaging comes in.

What Is a Video Message and why is it useful for job seekers

A video message is meant to give the hiring managers an idea of who you are as a person, what your professional qualities are, and why you are seeking out the opportunity. We are not talking about a Zoom meeting or Skype call but a very short video you would create using your webcam, your phone, a camera, or a third-party application (we will cover that below ) to send out with your resume to the hiring manager.

A video message is meant to give the hiring managers an idea of who you are as a person, what your professional qualities are, and why you are seeking out the opportunity. We are not talking about a Zoom meeting or Skype call but a very short video you would create using your webcam, your phone, a camera, or a third-party application (we will cover that below ) to send out with your resume to the hiring manager.

A video message is a new way of sending out a job application and getting the attention of the people in charge of hiring. A video message is not something that replaces a traditional resume, but it’s a much better introduction to yourself than a traditional job application email in written form.

Why:

1. As video messaging is still pretty new and unusual, I guarantee that out of 500 applicants, there will only be 2–3, if not only you, using this technique. You are showing that you can think outside the box and be different and original.
2. You are proving that you are tech-savvy and are not resistant to using new tools and technology.
3. You are improving your chances of getting an interview by 100% if the recruiter feels your personality will match the work culture and team, as they will get a better understanding of who you are and can now put a face to your digital resume.

While this may seem new now, in the future, this will be the number one way of applying for jobs. You will gain an advantage by sending a message, but you have to make it good! Here are some pro tips to help you create the best video resume out there.

This isn’t rocket science! We have all used Snapchat or Instagram stories or at least seen some sort of video messaging in the past. All you need is a little bit of preparation and the right attitude.

Let’s point out the obvious stuff:

1. Plan Your Video Message Ahead

While it may seem like a good idea to just wing it and be yourself, this isn’t something you want to do when putting together your video message for professional job seeking.

Pro tip: If memorizing scripts is not your thing, you might want to try using a teleprompter. A teleprompter allows you to read out your script on video in a way that looks natural and effortless, although some practice may be necessary first. Free online teleprompters that you can use include CuePrompter and Teleprompt.me[ , and the latter is voice-activated which is handy when you need something that adjusts to your reading speed.

2. Record Your Message in an Appropriate Setting

No kids running around, dog barking, or unnecessary noise. You want your future employer to focus solely on you, so aim for a clean and quiet space with good lighting.

3. Don’t Recite Your Resume!

This is probably the number one mistake that most people make when recording their video messages for job applications. I cannot stress this enough ― don’t recite your resume. It’s there in your job application anyway, so use this opportunity to truly shine and show why you and your unique personality would be a great addition to the company you are applying for.

Highlight your professional qualities by explaining what you’ve achieved in previous jobs instead of reading out what you’ve done.

You can also speak about your career ambitions and goals and tell the hiring manager what makes you so excited about this opportunity and the chance to join the company.

5. Keep It Short

A video message that is 1–3 minutes long works best. This goes hand in hand with the first point of planning your message ahead. Edit and fine-tune until only the most essential parts remain and you can explain everything briefly yet effectively.

6. Tailor Your Message to the Company

A one-size-fits-all approach is simply not going to work here. Do your homework and research the company. Then make your video message fit the style and culture of the company as if you were already working there.

The not so obvious stuff:

1. What platform should you use to record your video message?

If you don’t know where to start to record your video message, read our latest article Loom vs Vidyard about two popular and easy-to-use FREE video message platforms.

Long story short, I would recommend using Loom and having the company’s page you are applying for as your background.

For example, let’s say you wanted to apply at DarkRoast; it would look something like this:

(click here to watch video)

Pro tip: This is the perfect opportunity to refer to the company’s mission and values and to use the company’s website as a way to elevate your pitch and showcase how you truly fit in with them visually!

• Send your message directly to the hiring manager.

As much as you should tailor the message to the whole company you are applying for, you should also find out who to send the application to. Sure, applying on the company website, LinkedIn, Indeed, or other application sites is fine, but going the extra mile to actually find the hiring manager will make you stand out that much more.

Pro tip: You can use tools like Hunter.io or Skrapp.io[  to find the exact email addresses. They are also FREE and really simple to use.

Using all of these tips will definitely give you an unfair advantage over your competition, assuming that you also have the right experience and personality for the job you are applying for.

Keep in Mind:

• Don’t expect the video to replace a traditional resume. A video message is an additional element that still needs to be followed by a cover letter and a resume.

• Use video messages for relevant industries. While in the future, most job applications will require a video message, some industries are more likely to be using them than others. This includes sales, marketing, communication, social media, PR, presenters, teachers, remote jobs, etc.

• Avoid coming off as too casual on the video. While you definitely want to show your personality, remember to keep it professional. Opt for charismatic instead of familiar.

Best of luck, and if you find these tips helpful and they helped you secure the job you wanted, we would love to hear from you! Shoot us an email and share the good news with us. We are always happy to hear success stories and share them as well. If you need some help with Loom or Vidyard, we are also happy to help!

Your success is also ours!

Stay safe and good job hunting everyone.