In today’s competitive hiring market, great candidates aren’t just looking for a job—they’re looking for purpose, people, and a company that fits who they are. That’s where a well-crafted recruitment video comes in. Done right, it gives potential hires a true sense of your culture, your team, and what it’s actually like to work with you. But how do you make a recruitment video that feels authentic, looks professional, and delivers results?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a recruitment video that does more than tick boxes—it makes people want to hit "Apply."
Why Recruitment Videos Work
Video has become one of the most powerful tools in employer branding. Studies show that people retain 95% of a message when it’s delivered via video, compared to just 10% when reading text. That’s a huge difference when you're trying to make a lasting impression.
A recruitment video allows you to show—not just tell—what your company stands for. It humanises your brand, showcases your environment, and gives job seekers a genuine look at your values and culture. Whether you're hiring for one role or building long-term talent pipelines, video content builds trust and accelerates decision-making for candidates who align with your mission.
Start With Purpose: Know Who You’re Speaking To
Before you pick up a camera or write a script, get crystal clear on the goal of your recruitment video. Are you hiring for a specific role? Trying to build general brand awareness for your careers page? Attracting entry-level talent or experienced hires?
Your answers will shape everything—tone, structure, length, and who you feature. A video aimed at designers might focus on creativity and team collaboration. One targeting developers might highlight product impact, tech stack, and autonomy. The clearer your intent, the more effective your message will be.
Craft Recruitment Videos That Sound Real, Not Scripted
The best recruitment videos don’t sound like ads—they feel like honest conversations. At MHF, we don’t write scripts for these videos, and for good reason. Instead of coaching people on what to say, we reverse-engineer the interview process to surface the most natural, compelling, and human answers.
We ask smart, open-ended questions designed to bring out real personality, genuine perspectives, and unscripted insights. That’s how you get soundbites that connect—not because they’re polished, but because they’re true.
When candidates hear someone speak authentically about their role, their growth, or why they love the company, it lands in a way no script ever could. Real stories told in real voices build trust. And trust is what drives action.
Show, Don’t Just Say: Plan Your Visuals
Now that you’ve got your message, it’s time to bring it to life visually. Think beyond talking heads. B-roll is your best friend here—shots of real team meetings, coffee breaks, brainstorming sessions, or just people interacting naturally in your workspace.
This doesn’t mean everything needs to be slick and overly polished. Authenticity wins. Aim for scenes that genuinely reflect your day-to-day environment. If your team works remotely or hybrid, show that too. Your video should feel like a true reflection of your company, not a scripted highlight reel.
Keep It Short, Engaging, and Platform-Ready
Attention spans are short, and most candidates will watch your recruitment video on a mobile device or while multitasking. Aim to keep the main video between 60 to 90 seconds. If you’re posting to platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, create cutdown versions of 15–30 seconds that highlight the hook or most compelling moment.
Don’t forget to include captions—many users watch without sound—and ensure your video is optimised for vertical or square formats if it’s going on social media. A well-structured video with a strong intro, clear middle, and a concise call-to-action at the end will go a long way.
Make It Easy to Act
A recruitment video should inspire action, not just awareness. End your video with a clear call to action—whether that’s “Check out our open roles,” “Meet more of our team,” or “Apply now.” Embed the video on your careers page, feature it in job ads, and share it across your company’s social platforms.
Distribution is just as important as creation. Your video won’t drive results unless it’s seen by the right people in the right places.
Turn Your Recruitment Video Into a Targeted Paid Ad
Once your recruitment video is live, don’t just let it sit on your careers page—put it to work. By turning your video into a paid ad, you can directly target the job titles, industries, and even companies you’re looking to attract.
Platforms like LinkedIn, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and YouTube allow you to build hyper-specific targeting around job roles, seniority, skills, location, and more. That means your recruitment video can show up right in the feed of a product manager in London, a software engineer in Berlin, or a sales lead in Manchester—wherever your perfect hire might be scrolling.
With a short-form cutdown (think 15–30 seconds) that leads with a strong hook and ends with a clear call to action, you can turn passive viewers into active candidates. This isn’t just brand visibility—it’s performance hiring.
At MHF, we often advise clients to create both a full-length version for their website and a shorter, punchier cut designed specifically for paid campaigns. The difference in reach and engagement is huge—and the targeting possibilities make it one of the most effective ways to amplify your message and reach the right people, fast.
What to Avoid in a Recruitment Video
While you want your video to be professional, avoid the trap of overproduction or overly scripted messaging. Candidates can spot forced enthusiasm or stock footage a mile away. Don’t hide behind buzzwords—show the real people, real values, and real environment behind your brand.
Also, steer clear of videos that are too long, too vague, or too focused on perks like beanbags and pizza. Purpose, culture, and team dynamics are far more compelling than free snacks.
Final Thoughts: Your Story Is Your Edge
At its core, a great recruitment video isn’t about selling a job—it’s about telling a story. A story that gives the right people a reason to believe in your mission and want to be part of your team. When done right, a recruitment video becomes one of your most valuable hiring tools.
If you’re thinking about creating a recruitment video and want help shaping the story, filming the message, and delivering it with impact—we’d love to chat. We help brands bring their employer brand to life on screen, with videos that actually work.
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