Good morning (if it’s morning for you). I’ve been involved in some interesting conversations in a few LinkedIn groups that got me to thinking about the difference between resumes and video resumes, and how they work together.

It’s important to understand that the video resume is not intended to replace the “paper” resume. They are 2 different things.

Your video resume is a way to “be seen”. You talk about yourself, show off your personality a little, and showcase your work… Let someone get to know you and your value in 3 minutes or less. It’s a good way to stand out and get noticed. And people love to view video.

The resume, on the other hand, is intended to be more specific to the job you’re applying for.

The discussion we had this morning regarded the appropriate length of a resume. The question being… “Is it ok to go beyond 2 pages? If not, how do you “trim the fat” without losing valuable content?”

The general consensus amongst recruiters and HR executives… Your resume is less likely to be viewed if it goes beyond 2 pages (unless your job is technical, then its ok).

The strongest recommendation…

• Keep one gigantic resume with all of your skills, qualifications, experience… for yourself.
• Read the job description carefully, research the company and the position, and create a custom (much smaller) resume containing only the information relevant to the position you’re applying for – 2 pages or less.
• And, of course, make sure to use the same key words in your resume that the employer used in their job description.

Your resume(s) should be custom designed for each position you’re applying for. Your video resume, showcases your overall skills and personality, and is intended for all to see.

Hope this helps!