How to make a video CV

What is a video CV?

A video CV is a short recording, about 100 seconds on PitchID, where you introduce yourself to an employer. It doesn't replace your written CV. It sits alongside it, like a video cover letter, so recruiters can see how you communicate before they invite you to interview.

When to use a video CV (and when not)

A video CV works best when the job is about people, presentation or communication — sales, marketing, teaching, media, customer-facing and graduate schemes where personality matters. It also helps when you're one of hundreds of applicants with similar grades, because it's the one thing in your application that nobody can copy.

It's less useful when the employer asks for a traditional application only, or when the advert never mentions video — sending one anyway can look like you didn't read it. Skip it if you have nothing to show on camera that your CV doesn't already say, and don't send one to roles where a formal, paper-based process is clearly expected. When in doubt: a short, well-made video rarely hurts, but the written CV still comes first.

How to make a video CV in 7 steps

1. 1

   Pick one job to aim at

   A video CV works best when it speaks to one role. Read the job advert and note the two or three things they care about most.

2. 2

   Plan five short clips

   Cover what you bring to the organization, your introduction and target role, relevant experience, skills, and how you work with a team. Five clips of up to 20 seconds make a pitch of about 100 seconds.

3. 3

   Write short notes, not a full speech

   Bullet points keep you sounding natural. Use the example script below as a starting point, then put it in your own words.

4. 4

   Set up your phone or laptop

   Face a window for soft light, sit against a plain background, hold the camera at eye level and find a quiet room.

5. 5

   Record in short clips

   Recording five clips of up to 20 seconds gives you about 100 seconds in total. Retake any clip you are not happy with.

6. 6

   Watch it back with sound

   Check you can be heard clearly, you look at the camera, and you finish each clip cleanly.

7. 7

   Share it where recruiters will see it

   Add a link or QR code to your CV so a recruiter can watch in one tap, without downloading anything or creating an account.

What to say in a video CV: example script

An example for a graduate marketing role. Swap in your own name, job and proof.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Reading your written CV out loud. Add something the page can't show.
• Going over time. Keep it short and finish strong.
• Using one generic video for every job. Mention the role you're applying for.
• Poor sound. A quiet room matters more than an expensive camera.

Worried about bias or nerves?

It's a fair worry — putting your face on camera can feel like handing over more of yourself than a paper CV does. Two things help. First, a video CV is always your choice: it's an extra you add when it plays to your strengths, never a replacement the employer demands. Second, being yourself on camera is a filter that works in your favour — recruiters who connect with you after 75 seconds are the ones worth working for.

For nerves, the fix is structure, not confidence. Recording in five short clips means you only need twenty good seconds at a time, and you can retake any clip as many times as you like. Practise your five points out loud once or twice, record the video for your own eyes first, and only send it when it sounds like you on a good day — not a newsreader.