Video editors are responsible for manipulating raw footage to create videos that transmit the desired message or emotions. Video editors work closely with directors and producers to coordinate the right graphics, effects, motions, and footage.
Video editors can work in filmmaking, marketing companies, or independently. This role requires a profound sense of creativity and computer literacy. You must be proficient at using video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
Video editing is highly in-demand in marketing. In fact, social media networks like Instagram prioritize videos over images. Therefore, it’s becoming more imperative for companies to improve their video editing efforts to organically optimize their accounts.
That’s why it is no surprise to see that the demand for video editors is highly escalating. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, video editors’ demand is expected to increase by up to 12 percent, which is faster than most occupations. Yet, you shouldn’t be fooled by these metrics. Even though there is a high demand for video editors, there is still high competition, so you need to optimize your resume to stand out.
In this guide, we’ll give you some relevant tips to improve your resume’s performance. Below, you will find three resume templates for different video editing roles.
Jump to a resource:
Get advice on each section of your resume:
Video editors arrange raw footage to create a particular emotional or psychological effect. They cut footage and add special effects for story-telling purposes. Video editors work with video editing software, so it’s important to mention all of those tools you are familiar with in your resume.
To become a video editor, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting journalism. However, some recruiters might disregard your educational background if you have the right toolkit. You can learn video editing in courses, online tutorials, or internships.
Video editors work with a wide variety of software, so it’s important to have computer literacy. You should mention all those competencies in your resume because they can also act as keywords. As we mentioned earlier, some employers might overlook your educational background if you have the right skills. Therefore, you should highlight these technical skills in your resume.
As a video editor, you will work alongside other professionals such as producers, directors, audio specialists, etc. Therefore, it is crucial to have some team work skills. You must be able to communicate with team members and coordinate with them to deliver the final result.
Video producers manage the entire life cycle of audiovisual production. They actively participate in pre-production, production, and post-production. However, they usually work behind curtains to make things happen. A video producer is responsible for budgeting, scheduling, booking locations, etc. When working on a new project, they will estimate the expenses and resources required. That’s why it is important to mention your budgeting skills in your resume.
Video producers also establish project standards such as creativity expectations and safety protocols. In addition, they hire all types of employees needed for the project, including actors, camera operators, video editors, and graphic artists.
Project management is one of the core skills you should have as a video producer. You need to schedule, delegate, prioritize assignments, and make sure everyone stays on track in terms of schedule, project standards, and budget. If you want to impress potential employers, include your project management skills.
When working as a video producer, you will collaborate with a large team of makeup artists, sound people, camera operators, actors, and video editors. Therefore, it is important to have leadership and communication skills. You can mention in your resume previous experiences where you worked with large teams.
Videographers are camera operators that work in small-scale productions, such as wedding, birthday, and sports events videos. They also work on short films, training videos, commercials, and corporate videos. This role requires manual dexterity and creativity, so you should highlight those skills in your resume.
Even though it seems like most of their ideas come spontaneously, videography requires a lot of planning. You must evaluate the location, and coordinate with makeup artists, actors, and video editors.
As a videographer, you must have excellent competencies with video equipment. You must be able to manipulate, maintain, and troubleshoot your cameras and video equipment. You should highlight this competency in your resume.
Videographers don’t necessarily work in post-production, but having some video editing skills is definitely a plus. You can ass this competency to your resume if you want to stand out from competitors.
We spoke with hiring managers at leading video production companies like Vox Media, BuzzFeed, and Vice Media to get their top tips for writing a strong video editor resume. They consistently mentioned the following pieces of advice to help you stand out from other candidates and land your dream job.
Video editors need to be proficient in a variety of editing software and technical skills. Make sure to highlight your expertise in:
Don't just list the software names. Provide specific examples of projects where you utilized these tools and skills to create high-quality videos. Quantify your experience when possible, such as:
A resume summary for a Video Editor role is an optional section that provides a brief overview of your professional experience, key skills, and career goals. While a summary is not required, it can be a useful way to provide context for your experience, especially if you are changing careers or have a diverse background that may not be immediately apparent from your work history alone. Avoid using an objective statement, as it is outdated and does not provide value to hiring managers.
When crafting your summary, focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences that align with the Video Editor role. Tailor your language to the specific requirements of the job description and showcase your unique value proposition. Remember to keep your summary concise, as it should not exceed more than a few sentences or a short paragraph.
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume as a video editor. It's where you prove to hiring managers that you have the skills and experience to excel in the role. In this section, we'll break down the key steps to writing a compelling work experience section that will make your resume stand out.
The education section of your video editor resume should be concise and highlight your most relevant qualifications. If you're a recent graduate, include more details about your education. If you have several years of experience, keep this section brief. Here are some tips for writing a strong education section:
As a video editor, you are directly responsible for the videos’ success. With your skills, you will add meaning to the final piece, you will create emotion, and communicate a message. Therefore, it is important to give an impression of accountability in your resume. You can do that by using strong action verbs.
Action verbs can be used for describing achievements or responsibilities in previous roles. You can use bullet points to improve your resume’s readability and start each phrase with an action verb. The idea is to use relevant ones, so we’ll help you with that. Below, you will find some suitable action verbs for your video editing resume.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
Your video editor resume should reflect your knowledge of video-editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or DaVinci Resolve. You should also mention the editing techniques you are proficient at, such as special effects, transitions, color grading, and storytelling. This last one is a highly valuable skill to have in your toolkit as it keeps the audience engaged and entertained.
Some employers might ask you to work with a particular tool or technique, so it is always a good idea to check video editor job posts to find some inspiration for your skills section. Below, you will see some relevant skills we’ve selected based on our research.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Video Editor job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
