Photo credit: Milton
Almost everything from social media to work and education is going virtual with video media. It was only a matter of time before recruiters jumped on the bandwagon. In your job search, you may have come across job openings requiring you to send a short video of yourself explaining why you’d be a good fit.
It sounds easy enough, and it sure beats having to send a pesky cover letter. I mean, we’re always recording Instagram Reels or TikToks so this is pretty much the same thing, right? Not really, the rules are slightly different for a job application video.
This is an opportunity to creatively show employers your communication skills, personality, and presentation skills in as little time as possible. This means your job application video has to wow the employer from the first second.
We also know how intimidating and terrifying being on video can be, especially if you have anxiety or are camera-shy, but it doesn’t have to be.
Making a job application video can be fun and gives you more control than you think. You can do multiple takes if you don’t like the results or make a mistake. It also allows you to take all the time you need (before the submission deadline) to get it right.
Here are 7 tips to help you make an outstanding job application video regardless of how camera-shy you are.
1. Plan and stage the video
You may be tempted to start recording the job application video straight away but it’s best to make a plan for everything first. Think about your talking points, your outfit, lighting, camera angles, editing, and guidelines in your plan. All these factors will help you create a winning job application video.
By staging the video, I mean making sure the lighting, camera angles, background, and sound are all on point.
Make sure you are facing the light source with the camera facing you, the same way you’d find the right lighting for the perfect selfie. Light sources include a window with natural lighting, a lamp, or a ring light.
First, decide if you’re going to shoot the job application video with a smartphone, a tablet, a camera, or a computer webcam. Make sure the camera is at an appropriate height and set it up to keep it from sliding using a tripod (for phones). Get creative with anything else you can find.
As for the background, make sure it isn’t distracting to the viewer and you are the main focal point of the job application video. Make sure there’s no clutter in the background such as an unkempt room, or a sink of dirty dishes. A plain wall is a great video background to use. Record a short test video in your chosen area to see if there is an issue with background noise or lighting that you’ll need to address.
Plan for the video technique or style you’ll use when recording. You can go with the conventional “speak directly to the camera” method. Your friend can interview you off-camera or you can have a slide show and record a voice-over. There is lots of creative inspiration you can draw from online for your video. However, ensure it’s still in line with the company instructions for the application, which leads me to the next point.
2. Stick to the instructions
Just because the employer asked you to send a job application video, doesn’t mean there are no rules. Go through the guidelines in the job description and make sure you understand what is required. The recruiter may ask you to talk about something specific in the video such as your values or experience. They may even give you questions to answer in the video.
You might be asked to create the video under a specified time limit or stick to a particular format such as AVI, MP4, or MOV. Stay within the time limit or aim for max 2 minutes if it hasn’t been specified.
3. Draft a script with talking points and rehearse
This is perhaps the most important tip for recording an exceptional job application video. Knowing what you’ll say beforehand will help you sound natural and look more confident, improving your chances.
Write down a script with talking points highlighting your experience and skills that are relevant to the role. Avoid listing previous responsibilities and roles; that’s what your resume is for.
Start with a warm intro and a greeting while looking directly into the camera then state your name and the role you are applying for.
Topics to cover in your script talking points may include:
-
Contributions you can make to the company
-
Your value offering to the organization
-
How your skills can be a benefit to the role
-
Why you’re interested in working for the company
Drafting your talking points in bullet point form allows your delivery to flow naturally when recording a job application video.
Rehearse your talking points in front of a mirror and record a test video to review your performance. You don’t want it to look like you’re reading from a script or your body language to seem off-putting.
Warm-up as many times as you need to until you feel you’ve got the talking points at your fingertips. Focus on knowing your talking points instead of memorizing them. This way, if you forget anything it will be easy to improvise and still make it look natural. It also keeps you from sounding robotic or like you’re reading your lines from somewhere.
4. Look the part
Presentation is important in a job application video. Just because you’re not there in person, doesn’t mean you still don’t have to make a good impression.
Dress professionally but comfortably so you look and feel confident on-screen. Keep in mind that solid colors record better on video while patterns may generate a distorted effect that looks unusual on camera. All-black or all-white outfits might also throw off the video’s white balance so it’s best to choose alternative clothing. When in doubt, dress the same way you would for an interview.
5. Shoot the video
Now comes the fun part!
You can record the video yourself or have a friend record you. Press play and go over the talking points just like you rehearsed. Don’t worry about making mistakes like forgetting a couple of words. It makes your job application video look more authentic and makes you seem more human. Keep it natural and conversational through facial expressions and hand gestures. Smile and make eye contact with the camera as well; think of it as having a friendly conversation.
Fortunately, smartphones today allow you to record videos in bits then pick up where you left off. This feature can help you record your video in sections if you’re having trouble with the talking points. You can record a few takes if there are mistakes in the first one, but don’t do too many in the name of getting the perfect video. You’ll drive yourself crazy and all that productive energy you had will go out of the window.
Also, talk slower. We tend to speak faster when we’re nervous maybe as a subconscious way of “getting it over with.” This gives off nervous energy that everyone can sense. Slowing down and pausing between each thought allows you to calm down and catch a breath. It also makes you seem more confident to the recruiter watching your video.
Lastly, keep it short. Most job openings will request for 1-2 minute videos so that’s all the time you have to make show why you’re a good fit.
6. Watch it back and edit where necessary
Now we’re going to watch the job application video to see if it will make the cut. Watch the final take to observe for any mistakes and have someone else watch it too. They might catch something you missed.
Make sure you’ve addressed anything required in the job application and that you’re happy with how you look and sound. Check for any sound, lighting issues you may have missed. Maybe you started recording in the afternoon and time has passed so the natural lighting also changed. You might need to adjust the recording setup for a final take.
Edit the final video accordingly using video editing tools or software if necessary to give you a professional edge. You can use these tools to include subtitles, reduce background noise, adjust the lighting, or even sharpen the image. Most devices have pre-installed software for editing videos so you can easily do it yourself. However, you can also use YouTube tutorials to learn how to edit videos if you need some help.
7. Submit the video
After saving the job application video in the requested format, you can upload it to Vimeo or YouTube and keep it private or send it via email. Again, refer to the application instructions to know how the recruiter wants you to name and submit the video. Make sure you save a copy of the video for future use and reference in case you’re asked about something you said during an interview.
In closing…
Being on camera is not as easy as actors make it seem, and for a first-timer like yourself, planning is key. Think of yourself as a one-person production crew. Focus on prepping and understanding your talking points and your job application video will be a success. Remember, this video is meant to show employers and recruiters an idea of who you are, so enjoy the process and most importantly, be yourself.