So you�??re interest in using video in your recruitment or employment branding strategy.  You can have it done professionally or give it shot yourself.  You�??ll be able to accomplish a DIY video by follow this advice.  But, if you prefer to get help you can contact Career Corner Digital or Broadway Video can help. 

Why not use video, right.  Online video is everywhere, 76% of Gen Y watch online video regularly, of all other internet users 57% of watch online video too (maybe higher now).  Plus, people are 71% more like to recall a message after watching a video then if then just hear or read it.  A picture is worth 1,000 words and video (with motion and audio) is priceless.  

Let�??s take this whole �??create your own video thing�?? one step at a time, there are four main parts to creating a video.  They are:

1)      Need a Concept and Uses of Video

2)      Camera, �??Star(s)�?? for the video, location

3)      Editing

4)      Somewhere to show the video

 

Need a Concept and Uses of Video

You�??ll need some theme, objective, or plot for your video.  For recruitment it�??s usually to show what it�??s like to work at a company, day-in-the-life,  and so on.  Telling a story �??well�?? is much harder then it seems, but just jump it to it.  Pick or objective focus on that, don�??t try to fit everything into a concept or video.  It�??ll make the video long and online video is best between 2-3 minutes.  You can always create Part 1, Part 2, etc, a series. 

Most recruiting videos can be categorized into these areas:

·        A traditional overview of the company, its products and employer value proposition, this an Employer Branding video.

·         A day-in-the-life of an employee, this is a Job Branding video that focuses in on just what it�??s like to be in a specific role/job.  I.e.  field engineer, nurse, accountant, etc..

·         Profiles of individual employees, so regular employees, diverse employees, star employees, renowned, famous, top executives, interns, etc�?�

·        Employee Testimonials,   �??Why I work here�?? videos covering critical recruiting factors.  Why I stayed�?�, Why chose.., video that might answer recruitment FAQs or common objections.

 

·         Facility tours to show plant, office or other work environment.

·         Humorous videos demonstrating that your firm is a �??fun place�??

·         Highlights of company perks and benefits.

·         Videos of company events, holiday party, town hall meeting, etc�?�

·         Videos that demonstrate the firm�??s excellent management practices

 

Camera, �??Star(s)�?? for the video, location

Now you need a camera, someone to interview and location.  For recruitment I suggest simply interviewing people (and not writing scripts for them to remember).  It�??s OK to give them an idea of the points of emphasis that you�??ll want them to talk about, but let them answer the question in their own words.    You can really use any video camera (highly recommend that you use a wireless microphone too).  Shoot in a well lit area, videos need lots of light.  Keep the camera steady or use a tri-pod.  Jerky video make people sick.  Shoot close ups, people heads should be near the top of the video. 

Pick people �??star�?? that speak well and are the type of people you want to attract or the type of people you think other would want to work with at the same company.

Location can be anywhere that is representative of the work environment the future employee will work in, make sure the location is as attractive as possible while still being authentic. 

Here�??s three resources that you can turn to learn more about specifics of creating a video (there are books and courses out there too if you really want to become semi-professional�??). 

 

·         How to Make a Video. Create a Great Video Movie

·         Video Toolbox: How to Make a Video Program | Barnes & Noble.com

·         How to Make a Video - A Crash Course

 

EDITING

Is you use a camera with an internal hard disc drive then this will be fairly simple, you�??ll just need to connect a USB or Firewire cable to your PC.  Is you used tape, follow instructions that came with video camera or the links above.  Once the video is in the computer use low budget, low feature editing program like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie.  You can also invest in professional programs from Adobe and Avid.  Edit the video taking out the parts you don�??t want.  Once it�??s done, export to the video to a new file as a .mp4, .avi or .wmv.

 

Somewhere to show the video

Add the video to your website, post it online on YouTube, iTunes, Yahoo Video, Veoh, SeeTheJob.com and other video sites so candidates can find the video.  Include a link in your email and online job posting.  Use them at career fairs; put them on a CD-ROM or DVD.  

 

 Here�??s four examples of recruitment videos:

 

 

If you have any question on how to do this feel free to contact me.

Ernest, efeiteira [at] careercorner.tv, or you can even call 732 254 7277