Don’t Make These Video Editing Resume Mistakes!!
I am here to warn you to not make these mistakes on your video editor resume! There’s LOTS of things that can turn a client away when it comes to resumes, and as a video editor, the resume can easily fall second to the demo reel.
BUT, don’t be fooled! The resume is still just as important to perfect if you really want to ensure your clients pick you for the job.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Colleen and in this blog, I will help you get a job doing what you love. Whether that’s video editing, graphic design, or blog writing.
For more tips on video editing, creativity and freelance lifestyle, be sure to check out my youtube channel where I dive into the nitty gritty about my self-employed life as a freelance video editor!
Let’s dive in!
Too much color
A little bit of color or a subtle color throughout is fine, but too much color can easily become distracting. You should also never rely on color for the design of your resume.
It’s very likely it could be printed in black and white for the place you’re applying to.
Too much experience
Congratulations for having an overflowing amount of experience!
Though it might “look” impressive, unrelated work can draw the client’s eye away from what you want them to look at. It also takes away from negative space which can help make your resume look more breathable and appealing.
Too much fluff
By this, I mean you could be listing too many skills or you have a long objective.
Again, the client wants to see that your resume checks off the boxes to their open position. Having too much going on can potentially distract the client from what they really need to see, so keep it at a minimum!
Using the same resume for all job applications
Do you need to constantly customize your resume like your cover letter? No.
But if you have a lot of experience, this is a great opportunity to split your resume up depending on the type of jobs you’re applying to. Using the same resume for each job application is easy, but may not be putting your very best foot forward.
Outdated, incorrect, information, and typos
Obviously, check your resume several times before sending it to anyone, that’s a given. If your resume has typos, you will be immediately docked points because it looks like you just don’t care.
Also, make sure your email, phone number, and address is updated and correct if you choose to put it on there.
Not using keywords when describing jobs
I highly doubt you need to worry about making your resume SEO friendly with those kinds of keywords.
What I mean is that when you think or look at job descriptions, think of keywords that jobs you are looking for like to use and put them in your resume somehow.
What are some phrases or keywords you can include in your resume that would be enticing to the kind of clients you’re looking to work with?
Putting your school at the top
The top of your resume is the most valuable real estate you have on there. While schooling might be important, it’s nowhere near as important as your work experience, so that should live at the top.
Honestly, my education lives at the bottom corner of my resume. It’s nice to have but it’s more of a plus rather than essential highlight.
Highlighting the company rather than the position
This is a very small thing, but in my opinion, it’s better to have “Video Editor” be the header of each work experience rather than the company. That should be the sub-heading to your position.
To me, I want the client’s eyes to go right to “video editor” more than anything else.
Not sending a PDF
This may be a small tip, but it makes a HUGE difference! ALWAYS send your resume as a PDF!!!
A word document looks messy and casual, and it can lead to any of your formatting getting disfigured when sending it to the client.
Not labeling your resume right
RIGHT BEFORE you send your resume off to your next job application, please make sure to label the actual PDF file something other than “video editing resume_v2 final final 2022.”
It’s gonna get a little messy having multiple files in your resume folder on your computer, but renaming it something like “Colleen Cavolo Resume 2022” is a clean look that you can send to the client with no issues!
Looking for more help getting your first job as a video editor? You’re in luck! My SkillShare class is now LIVE and here to help you with all the steps you need to take to set yourself up for your video editing career!
