Editor’s note: Creating a Chef Video CV – 12 Steps to Success was originally published in November 2015 and most recently updated in May 2022.
Creating a video CV to accompany your traditional chef CV can be a great way to stand out from the crowd, and differentiate yourself from the applicant pack.
The purpose of a chef CV in this format is to summarise your skills and experience, while showing potential hiring managers how you bring your chef career history to life in person.
1. The first step to creating a chef video CV
Think of your chef video CV as a mini job interview. Clothes, language and content should all be interview-appropriate. Making a winning video CV is not like taking a selfie on an iPhone – remember, first impressions count and last.
2. Plan your content
A great video CV shouldn’t be a short film of you reading your CV out loud to camera.
What to include regardless of your current chef level:
– A short and persuasive opening statement – your elevator pitch
– Your quantifiable achievements
– Your skills and experience
– A little bit of personality and tactful humour, if appropriate.
Having trouble deciding what to talk about? Write an outline detailing your background. Think about how your work experience is connected to your career progression. Consider how you can highlight core skills and more to a potential employer.
Read: Get Yourself an Elevator Pitch Chef
3. Creating a chef video CV – write a script
To begin with just write down what you’d like to say. This can be edited and added to as you go along.
It’s important to grab a recruiter’s attention as early as possible and remember to keep it short – 60-90 seconds is ideal. Don’t relentlessly over-sell yourself. Your video CV should be another form of teaser content. Like an Instagram account you might have or a Tik Tok presence. A winning chef video CV should give the viewer just enough to entice them to learn more about you.
You should aim to end your script with a call-to-action, a sentence or two that spells out the next step and motivates viewers to act – aka, get in contact with you!
Don’t attempt to film the video without a script – this can lead to you forgetting important points or waffling to fill the time. It’s fine to ad lib a little, but try not to lose track of what you want to say.
4. Rehearse and refine your material
Read your script out loud, or better yet, record yourself reading the script, and then play back the recording. Hearing the words makes it easier to home in on the most relevant and interesting bits of your background.
Practice with a friend what you plan to say so you’re confident it sounds conversational, informative and interesting.
Learning your script beforehand also prevents you from having to read from notes.
5. Set the stage
Use a neutral or professional looking background. It should be clear and free from clutter. Of course you could use your home kitchen as the backdrop, but don’t think this is obligatory. It will already be assumed that you spend most of your time in a kitchen!
Since you are the focus of the video, make sure the camera (smartphone or similar) is angled on a level with or slightly above your face and not looking up your nose. If you’re using a tripod, make sure to take some test shots and view them before you commit to recording.
6. Lighting and sound when creating chef video CV
Film in a well-lit, indoor location with as little background noise as possible.
Do some test runs first to make sure the lighting is bright enough. Don’t film against a window, use it as natural side lighting. A small lamp positioned just out of camera range can help. Experiment and see what looks best.
Typically, the microphone on a smartphone, camcorder or laptop camera is going to pick up lots of ambient sound or echo. It’s worth investing in an inexpensive lapel microphone to overcome this.
7. Look and sound professional
Dress appropriately. Remember that beyond clothing, the most attractive quality you project on camera is your confidence and real smile. Speak clearly and audibly, but don’t shout as this will distract the viewer from what you’re actually saying.
8. Eye contact
Make sure you are looking at the camera lens and speak directly to the camera. Look interested and be engaging.
9. Entrance and exit
Never walk into or out of the shot. It’s much better to stay in position when your video is being shot. Film a version with a fixed and roving position and you’ll see what we mean!
Shooting a couple of takes can also be useful when it comes to editing.
10. Edit your video
Many computers and smartphones come with video editing software, and there are apps (both free and paid for) that can help. You shouldn’t have to purchase expensive or professional-grade software to do your own editing. But be aware that for a beginner video editing can be a time-consuming task. Save your video in a common format such as MOV, MP4 or AVI.
If you’re not a confident editor, avoid using too many graphics or animations – although a title with your name and contact details is a good idea. The aim should be to create a coherent video without detracting from your message. Remember, you’re being judged on your chef skills and experience, not your video editing skills.
11. Review your chef video CV
Seek out honest feedback from a trusted friend or mentor.
12. Refine until you’re happy with the finished product
Act on the feedback, if it needs reshooting – reshoot it. If it needs re-editing, re-edit it.
You should be completely happy with it before it’s shared!
Keep in mind
Video CVs are time consuming to film and edit. And some recruiters believe that this time would be better spent perfecting your paper application! So it’s not the case your application is at a disadvantage without a winning chef video CV. Attitude, skills, experience and focus are the winning foundations of all successful chefs in the industry.
Chef video CVs aren’t for everyone
They will make some candidates shine, and highlight the flaws of others. If you’re shy or awkward in front of a camera, don’t feel compelled to create one. It could be better to give this type of CV a miss and revisit the idea at a later date should you feel differently.
Creating chef video CV – 12 steps to success, conclusion
Your video doesn’t have to have a high production value to be crisp and memorable. With careful planning, you can create a professional-looking video CV that leaves a lasting impression by showcasing your chef knowledge and experience.
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