- If you want to stand out in this ever-competitive job market, you have to think out of the box.
- Sumair Khan, a Semi-Qualified Chartered Accountant from India, was struggling to find a suitable job offer in Dubai, UAE.
- He decided to create a video resume that conveyed his experience in a more attention-grabbing way.
Many of us have gone through a situation where despite sending out countless resumes, there was not a single trace of a call from the employer, for weeks.
While preparing a paper resume containing your skills and qualifications is the norm, it can often get overlooked by the employer or rejected by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Remember, the job market is more competitive than ever. Every industry, including recruitment, has been transformed by technology.
Everyone should have a story that conveys their capabilities. And what better way to tell a story than through video resumes?
Sumair Khan did exactly the same. He is a Semi-Qualified Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India – ICAI.
Sumair came to Dubai, UAE in search of new challenges and the advancement of his career.
But despite having 5 years (including 3 years of Articleship) of experience in Financial Accounting, IFRS, Ind AS, Indirect Tax Compliance, Auditing, Corporate Valuation, and even Marketing he was unable to find a suitable job offer.
His time limit on his 60-Day Visit visa was running out. Given he had no other option, he decided to go for the unconventional route.
Sumair put together a video resume, explaining all his experience and skill sets in a form that grabs the attention of the people more effectively.
How did people react to it on LinkedIn? They were highly supportive and the video received a lot of traction.
Some praised him for being a go-getter and thinking out of the box. A few of them even recommended him to their connections that were hiring.
Supporting comments on Sumair’s post
A video resume allows you to talk directly to a potential employer about why you are uniquely qualified for the position.
It can be a significant addition to your traditional CV and help you stand out from the crowd by showcasing your bold personality and creativity.
According to a recent LinkedIn poll of over 2,000 adult job searchers in the United States, 62% believe that revealing more about themselves on video will help them obtain a job. And hiring managers agree: nearly 80% (76%) say a pre-recorded video of a job candidate would be effective.
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind if you are planning to record a video resume:
Create a script: Don’t go unprepared. Create a script beforehand to ensure that your video covers everything you need to discuss. This will allow you to clarify what you want to say and word things correctly.
You should memorize the script, and not read it from the same while recording. It will appear unprofessional and will distract you from how you want to present yourself to prospective employers. If the first one doesn’t turn out as intended, record yourself again.
Dress accordingly: Wear nice attire that is appropriate for the workplace, such as business casual. Consider colors that complement the background or setting of your video to ensure that you and your speech remain the center of the presentation.
Cover specific skill sets or experience: The ideal length of a video CV should be no more than 2 minutes. It is recommended that you be brief and talk about a particular topic. You could discuss a specific project you worked on or demonstrate a talent that is unrelated to your job roles such as coding, data analysis, or marketing.
A component that is not in your written application: If you didn’t mention a specific ability on your CV or cover letter, consider showcasing it in your video. Try speaking about your hobby or interest. Be sure to explain how your hobby relates to the position, firm, or industry to which you are applying.
Get it reviewed: Have your family and friends review your video before sending it to your prospective employer.
It’s better to obtain input from others since they may notice a mistake that you overlooked. They might even give a brilliant idea that you hadn’t considered.
And last but not least, don’t send the same video resume to every job position you apply to. Read the job description and the company’s policies carefully before creating a new one.
Courtesy of Wyzowl
It is hard to land a job in the UAE without applying from within the country.
It is suggested you come to the country on a 30 or 90-day tourist visa (costs Approx. ₹15,000- ₹ 18,000), and search for jobs, just like Sumair did.
In India, Visa is issued by many agencies like VFS, BLS, Musafir.com, etc. Ensure that you have 3 months of savings to survive in the UAE as per the UAE cost of living. This would add up to approximately 2 -3 lakh rupees.
Once you come to the UAE, consider the job search as a job itself. Spend 8-10 hours a day sending applications to your preferred companies.
Reaching out directly to HR and the Senior management for the job applied and getting the interview scheduled is also a good option.
Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Take advantage of your personal and professional connections rather than relying solely on your resume.
How do you make yourself stand out in the job market
There are over 8000 CAs in the UAE, and they have studied the same material. So why should an employer choose you and not the other person?
What sets you apart is what will get you the job.
Hiring people can be expensive, so employers now prefer CAs with tech skills over someone who is only a CA.
You can open the job section on LinkedIn and notice that almost all employers in the UAE require you to have tech skills such as data analysis.
With advanced Artificial Intelligence coming in, CAs cannot just be restricted to number crunching. Learn skills that would add value to the organization, such as IFRS, which is an integral part of the corporate world in the UAE.
Unless you are up to date with it, your chances of securing a job in the UAE will go down.
If you want to give Sumair a job opportunity or know someone who could help him get back on track, please connect with him at +971585523099 or email him at – sumairkhan.uae@gmail.com
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