What is a video CV?

Inspiring Interns use video CVs to help candidates stand out from the crowd. We view your video CV as a way for prospective employers to get to know you without wasting your time by going to irrelevant interviews. This is especially pertinent if you do not have a clear idea of your specific career direction. It is your opportunity to express your personality and demonstrate sides of yourself which aren't on your CV, acting almost as a first round interview.

Preparation:

When choosing where to record your video CV, the most important things to remember are space, light and sound. Select a quiet location with a simple background and try to avoid shadows. The focus of the video CV needs to be you, so try to eliminate anything that might distract from that. You will need to decide how much of you will be in the shot – ideally it will feature your upper body so that any potential employer can see your face and that you understand the necessity of a suitable dress code. Which leads to the next point – what to wear? This depends on the role you are applying for – try and understand your target audience. For example, if you wish to be put forward for finance roles you should stick to a suit and tie. However, if you are more interested in creative roles then try and reflect this with your dress.

Content:

Take some time to consider what it is you are looking for from an internship and what it is you can offer an employer. The key to selling yourself is to keep what you say concise and relevant. We feel about 45 seconds is the optimal length for a video CV. It also helps if you can remember the points you want to make without reading off a script. (Practice helps.) If you are interested in a number of sectors do not pigeon hole yourself: it is better not to mention any areas if you are open to different industries. However if you are focused on one specific industry then do say so. Most people prefer to avoid props, but if you feel they might enhance your presentation (say to demonstrate your creativity) then ensure they are relevant. Ultimately, if you are confident and just be yourself then you are on the right path. For further information, check out this video.

Technical stuff:

Please keep your video file size to a maximum of 25mb, which should be plenty. The file type should be one of avi, mp4, mov, mpg. If this isn't possible, don't worry, create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format.