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What to Say in a Video Resume: 5 Questions and a Free Script
The hardest part of a video resume is knowing what to say. Seenly’s builder gives everyone the same five prompts. They’re a script for one video, not five separate recordings. You can edit them, drop the ones that don’t fit, or add your own.
Plan on about 15 seconds per prompt. Five prompts at 15 seconds is 75 seconds, right in the 60–90 second sweet spot. Seenly’s limit is 2 minutes.
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
Name, job title, where you are, and how long you’ve done it. That’s it. Don’t start with your life story.
Example lines
Trades: “I’m [name], a journeyman electrician in [city]. Eight years in, mostly commercial.”
Nursing: “I’m [name], an RN with five years on a med-surg floor.”
Office: “I’m [name], an office manager in [city]. I keep a twelve-person team running.”
2. “Why do you want this kind of work?”
One honest reason. Employers want to know you’ll stick around and care about the work.
Example lines
Trades: “I like building something you can stand back and look at at the end of the day.”
Nursing: “I like being the person who makes a scary day a little easier for someone.”
Office: “I like taking a messy process and making it run smooth.”
3. “Why should we hire you?”
Give proof, not adjectives. A cert, a responsibility, or a result beats “hard-working team player.”
Example lines
Trades: “I’ve got my OSHA 30, I run a crew of four, and my work passes inspection the first time.”
Nursing: “I’m ACLS certified and I precept new grads on my unit.”
Office: “I set up the scheduling system our whole office uses now.”
4. “What are you strongest at, and what are you working on?”
One strength and one thing you’re improving. Naming something you’re working on shows you’re honest and still learning.
Example lines
Trades: “I’m strongest at reading plans and layout. I’m working on estimating.”
Nursing: “I’m strongest at patient education. I’m working toward my CCRN.”
Office: “I’m strongest at keeping projects on schedule. I’m getting better at Excel reporting.”
5. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Show you have a direction that fits the job. Keep it realistic.
Example lines
Trades: “Running my own crew as a foreman.”
Nursing: “In the ICU, with my CCRN, precepting new nurses.”
Office: “Running operations for a growing team.”
Timing guide
| Part | Time | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| Tell me about yourself | ~15 sec | 0:15 |
| Why this kind of work | ~15 sec | 0:30 |
| Why hire you | ~15 sec | 0:45 |
| Strongest at / working on | ~15 sec | 1:00 |
| Five years | ~15 sec | 1:15 |
| Close: what you want and when you can start | ~5–10 sec | ~1:25 |
Spoken out loud, 15 seconds is about two short sentences. If you’re over 2 minutes, cut words, not prompts.
Copy-paste script
Fill in the brackets, read it out loud twice, then put the paper down and say it in your own words.
Hi, I'm [your name]. I'm a [job title] in [city] with [X years] of experience in [field or setting]. I do this kind of work because [one honest reason]. What I like most is [the part of the job you enjoy]. You should hire me because [your strongest proof: a result, a cert, or a responsibility you've handled]. I'm strongest at [one or two skills]. Right now I'm working on [one thing you're improving]. In five years I want to be [where you're headed], getting better at [skill] and taking on [responsibility]. I'm looking for [the job you want] around [area], and I can start [when]. Thanks for watching.
Want it written for you? Seenly’s script page asks a few questions (title, years, certs, a result you’re proud of) and writes a 60–120 second script. Then record it with the built-in teleprompter.
Next: how to record it on your phone.
FAQ
Should I read my video resume from a script?
Use the script to practice, then talk naturally. If you want help, Seenly’s script page has a teleprompter you can slow down or pause.
Can I change Seenly’s questions?
Yes. The five prompts are a starting point. You can edit them, drop any that don’t fit, or add your own.
Do I record a separate video for each question?
No. The prompts are a script for one video. You answer them in a single take of 60–90 seconds, with a limit of 2 minutes.
What if I get nervous on camera?
Do a couple of practice takes and throw them away. By the third, most of the nerves are gone. Look at the lens like it’s a person you like.