The popularity of video resumes is gradually increasing. Each month, new websites, apps, and tools emerge offering video resume builders, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, unique features, and personal approach.
In this article, we’ll discuss video resumes as an innovative tool for job searching and explore some of the most popular options, diving deeper into what each has to offer.
What is a video resume builder?
It is a tool that enables job seekers to create a personalized video presentation of their skills, experience, and personality. Video resumes offer candidates a way to communicate directly with hiring teams or employers, allowing them to discuss their professional qualifications and share a bit about themselves as individuals. This format helps candidates make a memorable, authentic impression that goes beyond a traditional CV.
Video resume builders are tools designed to help job seekers achieve their goals more effectively. Typically, these applications include video editors and additional features to enhance the impact and its effectiveness.
We’ve explored five of the most popular video resume builders and are ready to break down their features for you.
#1 video resume builder – uhired
uhired offers a fully guided video resume feature with simple editing options and a ready-made solution as part of its job-hunting services. They understand a common challenge many candidates face when recording a professional video: not knowing what to say to make the best impression.
uhired provides a list of tailored questions specifically designed for each position. Users can customize this list by removing questions that don’t apply to their experience, swapping them with other suggestions, or even adding their own questions to cover additional details.
Recording follows three simple steps:
- Adjusting your question list
- Answering each question one by one
- Basic editing (e.g., trimming the beginning or end where you aren’t speaking) and saving your video
The completed video resume is saved on the platform and can be shared via a link, just like your professional profile. This way, neither you nor the HR team has to download a large file or use up cloud storage. Simply add the link to your application or at the end of the PDF you attach.
The only drawback is that you’ll need to complete your profile setup before starting to record your video resume. But this setup takes about 5 minutes, and afterward, you’ll have the option to adjust privacy settings to hide any personal information you prefer not to disclose.
Best feature: Tailored questions for each position to answer in your recording.
Key benefits: Full guidance, personalized questions, quick editing and adjustments, and easy sharing via link.
#2 Willo
Willo is an online video interview tool designed for hiring professionals who need a platform for conducting remote interviews. In addition to this, Willo offers a video resume recording feature for candidates as part of its services.
The platform offers 8 preset questions to answer, but you cannot change them or add your own. You talk about yourself and your work experience, motivations, hobbies, and challenges you've faced, with the last two focusing on your availability for work and the amount of time you need before starting a new role.
There is no editing available; it’s strictly recording. However, you can retry your answers as many times as needed. After finishing, Willo provides you with a link to your video resume via email. You can share this link directly or attach it to your resume.
A significant disadvantage is that you must provide your email address and phone number to receive the link to your email. Your contact information will be displayed on the page, and there is no option to remove or hide it. Additionally, the platform automatically generates a 'profile page' with a screenshot from your video, which cannot be hidden but can be downloaded.
Best feature: Quick six-question scenario for recording.
Key benefits: Pre-set questions, fast process, shareable via link.
#3 Clipchamp
An advanced video editor that provides a wide array of features for recording and editing. While the platform allows users to record a video resume, it primarily serves as a general online video editing tool and lacks specific features tailored to job-hunting needs.
However, it can be quite useful for those who already know what they want to say and don't need guidance on the script. This app is also great for showcasing creativity, especially if it aligns with the role you are seeking in a new company.
With this service, you can record both video and audio, or just your screen or voice. It also offers a feature to convert text into speech. The tools allow you to create content almost like a YouTube video, adding stickers, background music, templates, and transitions. Once your video is complete, you can download it directly to your device.
The question is—do you really need all these to record a professional video resume? Especially in fields where what you say and how you say it matters more than what you display on the screen. Over-relying on editing, particularly if you're not experienced with them, could end up giving off an impression of unprofessionalism or even awkwardness.
Best feature: A wide range of professional editing tools.
Key benefits: High-quality editor, ability to download files in various resolutions.
#4 Biteable
Biteable is another service that markets itself as a video resume builder but is actually an online presentation creator. Similar to Google Slides, it allows you to design presentations. It also offers an AI tool that can generate a presentation in seconds based on minimal information you provide.
This option may appeal to those who prefer not to reveal their faces or voices, although you can still record and add videos or audio to your presentation on the platform.
Starting from the beginning, you can select the goal of your video and provide the required information. The AI then creates several slides with vibrant layouts, writes the script, and adds default images and photos.
This can be a unique and creative way to catch recruiters' attention. However, the main purpose of a video resume is to complement your written CV by showcasing your personality and providing more detailed information about you, without the constraints of a two-page limit.
In fact, a presentation won't be able to convey that message, even if you add your voice reading the script. Therefore, the effectiveness of this type of communication with a potential employer is questionable.
Best feature: AI that builds a presentation based on the selected topic.
Key benefits: Presentation builder with the option to add a voiceover or video.
#5 Tella
Tella is another editor offering the ability to create a video resume. However, compared to #3, its tools are more limited, focusing mainly on recording and trimming. Additionally, it applies a colorful background to the video that cannot be removed.
Among all the services we've reviewed, this one is the least suited for creating a video resume. However, it’s not entirely useless. It could work well for those who just need a simple solution without complex features and guidance on the script.
Best feature: Video editor.
Key benefits: Ease of use.
What are the most important features to pay attention to when recording a great video resume?
After reviewing various platforms and services, we now have a clear idea of what to expect when preparing to record a video resume. The next step is to identify the most important features to focus on in the future, as well as what to avoid.
Recording and editing
While it may seem obvious since you're making a video, not all builders offer the option to edit your video after it's recorded, as you've seen.
The most basic editing tool you should look for is trimming. Removing parts where you start or finish the recording, click buttons, or stumble and pause to think will make your video appear more professional, showcasing your effort.
Adding transitions, text, voiceovers, or more advanced editing can be seen as unnecessary and may distract the viewer from the most important part of the video: you.
What you say
This is a professional video designed to help you make a strong impression on talent acquisition professionals. The information you provide and the way you present yourself will be key to your success.
Therefore, we recommend focusing on services that assist with the script, provide questions to answer, or offer scenarios to follow. This can be particularly helpful for those with little job-hunting experience or difficulty presenting their skills and experience.
How you look
This involves two distinct aspects: the quality of the camera and your overall, including your outfit and self-presentation.
While camera quality may not always be within your control, it's best to choose the best option available to you. If you don't have a laptop and your phone is outdated, consider asking family or friends to lend you their devices for a while.
Work on your confidence and self-presentation. Repetition is key, so it's best to choose services that allow you to retry your recordings as many times as needed until you're satisfied.
Don't forget to not only sound like a true professional but also look like one. Semi-formal clothing in black, white, or pastel colors is the best choice. Ensure it’s clean, neat, and looks modern—not like it's five years old.
How you save your footage
Based on our research and common practices, there are three typical ways services allow you to save your video:
- It can be saved on the platform and shared with a link
- It can be saved on the device you download it to
- It can be uploaded to cloud services, either by you or the platform you use
Either option works, so choose whichever is most convenient for you. However, keep in mind that sharing the link to the video or uploading it to the cloud is a better choice if you want to attach it to your application.
Typically, applications allow you to upload only your resume and cover letter. If you want to include your video resume as a file, you'll need to remove something (typically, the cover letter). Sharing the link is much easier: you can either attach it to the application (most platforms offer space for links) or add it at the end of your resume file.
Privacy Concerns
In your video resume, you share a lot of personal information, including your face and name. To avoid sharing this with people you didn’t intend to, choose services that offer privacy settings, where you can at least remove your full name if you're not comfortable sharing it.
To sum up, we’d like to say that the video resume as a job-searching tool is still evolving. Some features may be removed, while new ones will emerge. Over time, we'll likely have a perfect combination that works for everyone. For now, however, it's best to use the option that best suits your preferences and needs. Keep our recommendations in mind, and good luck with recording your video resume!