Welcome to JobBeam! JobBeam provides you with the unique opportunity to present yourself to potential employers in the most dynamic and effective way there is- on a video. You can make an instant favourable impression and make yourself the one the employer chooses to call for an interview. Here are some tips and Dos and Don’ts for making the most of this opportunity.

DO'S

DO write out what you will say beforehand. Choose the five most important things you want to say about yourself. If you don’t want to write out a whole speech, at the very least make a list of the important points.

DO keep it brief but direct and punchy. You should be able to present yourself well in about a minute and a half. Some suggestions for the kinds of words or phrases you might want to use are listed below for you to consider.

DO begin your talk with a greeting: “Hello. My name is ____ and I am very interested in getting a job in such and such a field, etc”

DO speak in the first person. “I am this or I am that”, or “I have several kinds of important experience” etc.

DO end it by thanking the employer for watching. Here are some different ways you could end it:

• Thank you for taking the time to watch this video. I hope you will consider me for your position.
• I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my application further.
• Thank you. I would be most grateful to hear from you.

DO practice it at least several times. This is very important. Nobody gets it right the first time. Practice it out loud, and with the tone of voice you will use when making the video. If you can, have someone you trust hear you do it and give you feedback. If you are worried you might forget what you wanted to say partway through your presentation, you could write out the script on a large sheet of paper and have someone stand behind and slightly to the side of the camera operator to hold it up for you. That way you can read it with good expression but still appear to be looking right at the camera.

DO think carefully about what you will wear. Your appearance will govern the first impression the employer receives, and first impressions last a long time. Make sure your clothing is neat and appropriate for the kinds of jobs you would be applying for. It goes without saying that your hair should also be neatly combed.

DO consider the background that will be visible on your video. Is it cluttered and distracting? Does it convey any information about you that you would rather not have an employer think about you? Check to make sure there are no coffee cups or beer bottles, or books with damaging titles showing, such as “Hot Air”. This is not a joke. A very famous politician made this exact mistake in a videotaped speech!

DO look directly at the camera when recording. Make sure with a practice run that the angle of the camera will not distort your features and make you look like a Martian or a hound dog.

DO make sure the image of you is large within the frame. In most cases, a shot from the waist up is best.

DO speak clearly, with normal voice expression you would use when speaking to a real person in the room with you.

DO smile at the end when thanking the employer for watching your video.

DO record it several times and then select the best one to post on JobBeam’s web site with your resume.

DON’TS

DON’T allow the camera to jiggle.

DON’T fidget or use hand movements while speaking.

DON’T try to be overly dramatic or loud. Just speak normally as you would to a friend.

DON’T beg for a job or try to make the employer feel sorry for you.

DON’T have any animals on the video unless your specialty is working with animals.

AND FINALLY, DON’T BE NERVOUS. Just imagine that the person you are speaking to is a good friend who likes you and knows you and wants you to succeed.

Here are some words and phrases you could consider using to describe yourself if they are true for you:

Reliable…… Competent……Punctua……Efficient……Organized……Flexible……Good people skills……Keen to learn new things……Hard working……Skilled at……These skills are adaptable……Team player……Can work independently or in groups……Friendly……Cooperative……Accepts criticism and strives to constantly improve……Willing to relocate…… Accountable……Honest……Takes pride in work……Accepts direction from superiors and co workers…… Professional.... …Likes a challenge……Creative……Gets the job done……Dynamic……Looking for an opportunity to grow……

You get the picture. Now do it and GOOD LUCK!!!!