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Applying for a job in today’s market is more competitive than ever. 75% of resumes are never read by human eyes, they’re scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) instead. The algorithm parses your resume and ranks your suitability for an interview based on key data like degrees, skillset, and work experience. It’s difficult to stand out in that equation. That’s why many jobseekers include a video resume in their job application.
A video resume increases your chances of being a memorable candidate. It immediately showcases your personality to the hiring team and displays your communication and creative skills. You don’t need to be a jobseeker to reap the benefits either. Working professionals can share LinkedIn video resumes to build their personal brand and become thought leaders.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the steps of how to write a video script for your resume. Then once you’ve written your video CV script, you can then turn your ideas into reality with Clipchamp as your go-to video resume maker. Read on for tips on resume video script writing including tutorials, tips, and video resume samples.
What is a video resume script?
A video resume script is a planning document for a short 1–2-minute video version of your professional CV.
It’s more than just your paper resume in video form. It’s a professional production like any piece of marketing content. You don’t want to be just a talking head repeating your Word resume line by line.
The aim of a video resume is to complement your paper resume, not compete with it. Your video should be engaging and add a personal touch to your application. You can also use it to share important information not included in your CV like goals and personal stories that demonstrate your character and reliability in the workplace.
How to plan a video resume script
Collect your career highlights
When it comes to what to include in a video resume, treat it like a professional highlight reel. It should be a best-of-the-best compilation cataloguing your proudest professional and personal achievements. You can include anything that’s relevant to your suitability as a candidate, from landmark promotions to running half marathons.
Before you start script writing, set some time aside to list all your achievements and skills. Then label them with language used in your industry. Once your list is finished, assemble all video and photo assets for your supporting visuals.
Select video resume audience
For a privately submitted video resume, your content should be tailored specifically to the role, same as your paper resume. Research the company including the hiring manager and recruiter and address them directly in your script.
A video resume hosted on LinkedIn should be more general and evergreen in its tone, suitable for a broader audience.
For working professionals hosting their video resume on their website our YouTube, your audience is clients who are already considering hiring your services. You should structure your video accordingly.
Choose video format and length
Hiring managers and recruiters need to field a lot of applications. Your video resume should therefore be short and sweet, action-packed with only the crucial information. The ideal length is between 60 and 90 seconds.
In terms of formatting, it depends where you’re uploading your video to. 9:16 for vertical portrait platforms and 16:9 for horizontal landscape platforms.
Choose a storytelling framework
There are three different methods for how to structure a video resume script:
Three-Part Framework: Sequence the story of your professional career in chronological order. Use the linear three-part framework of past, present, and future to structure your video.
STAR Framework: Use anecdotes from your professional experience to walk the recruiter through situational examples relevant to the role you’re applying for. Frame these stories using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This is an effective format for describing a specific career win and demonstrates how you overcome challenges.
Elevator pitch framework: The elevator pitch is a tried and test method of conveying large ideas in a short amount of time. It gets its name from the idea that it’s how you would tell a story in a short period of time like the duration of an elevator ride. This requires a skill-based summary or synopsis of your career with a focus on your practical expertise for a role or industry.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred framework, you can start scripting your video resume.
How to write a resume video script from scratch
Step 1: Write a hook/introduction
You want to capture your audience’s attention in the first 5-10 seconds while setting a professional tone. Think of this as the headline. Introduce yourself with a title and description that summarizes your professional experience while conveying your personal brand. Use language that’s professional but inject unique terms and personality so your introduction is engaging.
Step 2: Write your body
Segment the bulk of your video resume into digestible chunks.
Professional summary: State your career goals and your key strengths that relate to the role and company you’re applying for.
Work experience: Provide an overall summary of your employment history while highlighting the most relevant previous roles and accomplishments.
Education: Weave in your educational background, especially if specific qualifications are listed in the position description. List your degrees and certifications, but also include majors and minors and any other academic achievements related to the role.
Skills: Single out your specialist technical and soft skills that represent your personal brand and qualify you for the role.
Volunteering: Demonstrate your community values by including any charitable work.
Interests: Your individual interests and passions build your personal branding and represent your cultural fit in the company.
Step 3: Write your CTA
Conclude your video resume by relating your professional profile back to the role you’re applying for and drive your audience towards taking an action. Here are some examples of a strong CTA (call to action) to finish with:
Explore website/portfolio: Tease your professional website or portfolio with some visuals.
Book an interview: Mention your availability and include a link to a booking system if you use one.
Plug your resume: Encourage the hiring team to read your resume for more details on highlights you’ve mentioned.
Elevator pitch video resume script sample:
"Hi MarketCo,
I’m John Doe, a marketing specialist with over fifteen years of experience in marketing and advertising and I believe I’m the Program Manager you’re looking for. I am well versed in B2B and B2C global marketing and I’m dedicated to crafting data-driven campaigns that deliver results.
I’ve worked in digital marketing teams in the technology industry for over ten years. I got started in my field by studying my Bachelor of Communications where I majored in Advertising and Marketing. I’ve worked as an Advertising Specialist at AdWorld for six years and at BusinessInc as a Marketing Content Creator for four years.
Currently at BusinessInc, I manage global communications and marketing campaigns. I specialize in data analytics, SEO, and marketing automation. Outside of these specialities, my colleagues know they can turn to me for collaboration, flexibility, and clear communication skills.
Outside of work I play recreational softball, and I enjoy hiking with my family. I also like to volunteer my time coaching my nephew’s baseball team.
You can view my previous campaigns and other career highlights at www.johndoe.com.
It would be an honor and a privilege to join the MarketCo team and I hope to hear from you soon."
Generate a video resume script with AI
If you find script writing from scratch difficult, you can speed up video creation and overcome writer’s block using an AI script generator like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT. Use AI to draft an entire script or to help you formulate and structure your video.
Video resume script sample for students
“Hey there,
My name’s Jane Smith and I would love to intern at PublishingLand because I’m a voracious reader who dreams to become an editor one day. I’m currently studying Professional Writing and Desktop Publishing at Capital City University, and I am passionate about storytelling, communication, and environmentalism.
I currently have an 89% grade average, and I am known for my dependability, honesty, and bubbly energy. Outside of my studies I play college basketball and volunteer once a week teaching English at my local library.
My academic performance and extracurricular interests have developed key competence in grammar and punctuation, and I believe I can bring flexibility and innovation as your new Editing Intern.
I appreciate your time for fielding my application. I am currently available for an interview Monday to Friday between 2pm and 5pm. I look forward to speaking to you in person to discuss why I would be an asset to your team.”
Check out our full guide with prompts on how to generate video scripts using AI.
6 script writing dos and don’ts for resume videos
Do write conversationally
Paper resumes tend to sound the same so use your video to show your personality. Therefore, you should write how you speak. Read your script aloud and listen to how it sounds. If the words feel weird coming out of your mouth, close your eyes and reword it aloud.
Do use industry terms
Refer to the position description closely and highlight any keywords and phrases. These are what the ATS will be scanning for in your paper resume. Recruiters and hiring managers put a lot of effort into perfecting those positions descriptions. Give them what they’re looking for in that conversational tone and relate the jargon back to your professional experience.
Do showcase a growth mindset
Employers want to hire professionals who love learning and are resilient. Demonstrate that you value growing and you’re not a closed book. This will showcase that you’re a hard worker dedicated to ongoing professional and personal development.
Don’t use slang
Conversational means colloquial, it doesn’t mean informal. Your tone and language should still be professional and reflect how you would speak day-to-day in the office. You wouldn’t use slang in a face-to-face interview so follow that same approach when writing your resume video script.
Don’t read off-screen or recite
You’re not writing a script, so your eyes are locked to a computer screen while you recite it verbatim. Your script is a guideline not dictation. Write in dot points and do several run throughs. The extra benefit is it will prime you for introducing yourself in virtual and face-to-face interviews.
Don’t cover everything
Less is more. Your video resume’s purpose isn’t to be a laundry list of your entire professional history. It should interpret or accompany your paper resume. Remember, this is your highlight reel. You want to lay out the key milestones of your work background and leave a memorable impression on the hiring team.
Now that you’ve taken a crash course in video resume script writing, visit our step-by-step guide on how to create a video resume and how to webcam record online.
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