A few months ago, I mentioned that I’d love to see more companies (or really just any company) embrace video job postings.
Today, I’m going to show you how to create your own video job posting.
(NOTE: If your culture sucks, ignore this article.)
How to Create Video Job Postings
After my post on this last year, Steve Gilbert, an awesome guy I know from Twitter, ended up reaching out and chatting with me for a bit. He sent me a bunch of links to some companies that are currently using video as part of their recruiting process.
(Here’s a great video from Facebook and one from Cisco.)
The one thing I noticed with all the videos I’ve seen is that they’re almost all from a broad, company overview perspective.
What I’d love to see are videos that dig deeper. An interview with the hiring manager. An introduction to the team. A day-in-the-life with someone who currently has that job title.
There are apparently a handful of companies that put together videos like this for organizations. But there’s no reason you can’t do this yourself!
The Technology
Creating videos like this is actually pretty damn easy! Here’s what you need:
- A Digital Camera. For about $200 you can buy a digital camera that takes incredible still photos and great video. I recommend either the Sony Cybershot (I own an older model of this camera) or the Canon Powershot. You should also get at least a 2 GB memory card. (amazon affiliate links)
- Windows Movie Maker. This software is free from Microsoft if you have MS Office on your computer. It allows you to break up chunks of video into clips, drag and drop them into a storyboard, and save them as a new movie. You can even add background music and title slides. Download Windows Movie Maker (Vista users click here)
- A YouTube Account. They’re free. Head over to YouTube and sign-up for one right now.
What Now?
Great question! Go out and interview your hiring manager. Have her explain the job… in plain english.
Chat with the team members that whoever fills this role will be working with. Have them talk about the organization, the team, and the work they do. What do they love? What should someone coming into the team expect?
These videos are only limited by your creativity.
Once you’ve captured all of your video, get it on your computer, and start editing it using Windows Movie Maker.
I know what you’re thinking: Chris, I’m not a director. I don’t know how to put together a good video. You’re right. And chances are your first video will only be sorta OK.
Know how people get good at making videos? They make videos! Practice makes perfect, so keep at it.
Your video should be five minutes long max. Go shorter if you can. Once you’ve edited your video into something you’re happy with, upload it to your YouTube account.
Now go share it with the world. Post it on Twitter. Share it on your employer branding blog. Embed it in your job postings on the job boards and your company career site.
Do this and you’ll be part of the cutting edge of social media recruiting.
Spread the Word:
RSS
I like the idea of video job postings. Over the past couple of years I’ve heard a lot of talk about video resumes but not as much about video job postings. I think video job postings are a great idea. This can really
give a chance to show potential employees what I great company you have and what employees think of your company.
I agree that the video should not be longer than 5 minutes. The shorter the better.
Paul,
Thanks an excellent point I hadn’t even considered. Video resumes have been getting a lot of hype as a way to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Why should job postings be any different?
I think the real problem is that far too few recruiters see job postings as a marketing tool. Instead, it’s just seen as a list of requirements.
Thanks for commenting!
Chris
Check out City Furniture in Florida….go to http://www.city-furniture.com/ and then click on careers on the upper left and then more videos on the lower right. This is a great recruitment video library! :)
Jessica, thanks for the tip! I’m having trouble watching them. The server over at Jobing (where it appears they’re hosted) seems to be going very slow. Hope I can catch a few of them later.
Cheers!
Most of the videos I see out there involve some sort of employer branding and the videos are often found at the same destinations active candidates are exploring as they look for new opportunities. I believe that the addition of a video alongside a job posting doesn’t necessarily net additional candidates…but perhaps the candidates know more about the company and the culture as they apply for the position. Video improves the active candidate’s experience which is important but not necessarily tied to recruiting metrics that most organizations track.
I think the real value of video is to engage candidates that aren’t already paying attention to your job postings. If the use of video creates increased demand for that position, from targeted ideal fit candidates, then video has an important role in recruiting.
Very spooky Chris – I’m a 5o year old Brit, built some job boards etc. Day before your post I was briefing into my tech guys the spec to build a “platform” to “make” what you visioned happen – all the tech is their but pull it together both to make easy to do (take your fear elements out) plus distribute and offer free or very very low cost.
Ex punk and a Do It Yourself ethos runs deep.
Great post and “radical thinking” BUT total doable>
Keith
@Steve – Thanks for your insights, and for tipping me off to a few of the videos I’ve seen out there.
I think most of the videos I’ve seen tend to be at a company/org level. I’ve not seen any videos that are for a specific job. That’s something I think is definitely missing from the mix.
Of course, keep the text, too. Some people prefer to read.
@Keith – That’s crazy! Let me know what comes of it. If you get it up and running, I’d love to see it in action.