Why You Should Include Video in Your Job Application

Last Updated on July 14, 2025

By Mark Fiebert

Key Takeaways

• Video enhances first impressions: A well-crafted video showcases personality, professionalism, and communication skills better than a traditional resume.
• Screening becomes more efficient: Recruiters can quickly assess candidate fit by reviewing short videos before scheduling interviews.
• Collaborative hiring is simplified: Video submissions allow multiple team members to evaluate candidates and reduce bias during the selection process.
• Tech tools boost quality: Using modern video editing software ensures polished, clear presentations that reflect digital competence and effort.
• Soft skills become visible: Videos give candidates a platform to highlight emotional intelligence, enthusiasm, and authenticity—key factors in hiring decisions.

Organizations today register very high numbers of applicants whenever there is an advertised vacant position, thanks to the high number of job seekers. Until recently, companies employed written communication to establish a dialogue with the applicants. With luck, you could end up with a personal interview where the organization can get a better picture of the candidate beyond the CV. 

Visual interaction enables you to demonstrate more aspects of your personality and abilities than could be captured on paper. Unlike the standard resume, videos allow hiring managers to screen applicants better by analyzing their personality, creativity, and presentation skills.

You can use technology to help get an audience with recruiters. Video editing software will help you get the best video presentation to win the recruiters’ hearts. See below why you should include a video in your job application. 

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08/06/2025 11:00 pm GMT

The Overall View

Resume screening emphasizes educational background and professional experience. Unfortunately, this is limiting as it does not portray the candidate’s personality and whether they can culturally fit well in the company. Many applicants pray for a chance to get to the interview level to display their skills. Personal interviews open the door to an exchange that can benefit both the applicant and the recruiter.

It is impossible to get a 360-degree view of a job seeker solely based on the cover letter and resume. Through video, you can present your more authentic side comfortably. Using videos in the recruitment process allows the recruiters to look beyond your credentials and know you at a deeper level, which is impossible to pick from only the cover letter and resume.

Also, videos allow you to appear before the recruiters, giving you a higher chance to present yourself and convince the hiring team. 

More Effective Screening

According to most recruiters, screening CVs and cover letters is tedious and time-consuming. Videos help to identify the best-fitting candidates more efficiently. Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words as they offer more substantial clues. 

Through a video presentation, you can articulately convince the recruiters. You have a chance to present your character and educational level. Video allows hiring managers to see your oral communication and language skills, which is impossible in written resumes. When doing a video for a job application, present some of your hidden gems like the sense of humor and oratory skills that a resume cannot capture. 

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Collaborative Hiring

Team members partake in the screening process better with the video as the recorded content allows recruiters to review the submissions at their convenience and comfort. More decision-makers can review the video and be part of the decision-making process. 

When multiple team members participate in the early stages of the hiring process, they will get a broader conception of the applicants’ cultural fit in the organization. Another advantage of having more members participate in the hiring process is that it limits the unconscious bias in the recruitment process. 

Collaborative hiring opens up transparency which reduces the risk of prejudice. This allows you a fair opportunity to contest for the open position, free from discrimination.

Showcase Personality Beyond the Resume

Traditional resumes often fail to capture the essence of who you are as a person and professional. A video application bridges this gap by showcasing your enthusiasm, communication style, and authenticity. It gives recruiters the chance to see how you carry yourself, react under pressure, and articulate your thoughts—traits that are rarely evident on paper. This personal touch helps differentiate you from other applicants who rely solely on text-based documents.

Strengthen First Impressions with Visual Presentation

Video applications give job seekers a valuable opportunity to make a strong first impression, especially when competing in crowded applicant pools. A well-prepared video shows initiative, confidence, and creativity—key attributes recruiters notice early. You control the environment, tone, and message, allowing you to present your best self. Whether it’s a confident smile or clear articulation of your value, these details can be the deciding factor in moving your application forward.

• Dress professionally: Treat the video as a formal interview to project credibility and confidence.
• Script your message: Plan talking points to avoid rambling and ensure you cover key qualifications.
• Use proper lighting: A well-lit space enhances video quality and keeps the focus on you.
• Keep it concise: Aim for 60–90 seconds to maintain attention and deliver a focused message.

Improve Screening Efficiency for Employers

Recruiters face the challenge of reviewing hundreds of resumes for every open role. Videos help streamline the process by revealing candidate strengths early in the funnel. Hiring teams can quickly assess communication skills, professionalism, and culture fit without scheduling initial interviews. This saves time while improving the accuracy of shortlisting efforts—an efficient and scalable solution for modern recruitment practices.

Encourage Collaborative Decision-Making

Video applications make it easier for hiring teams to work together in selecting the right candidate. Because videos can be shared and rewatched, team members can review submissions asynchronously and offer more objective input. This collaborative approach increases fairness and allows diverse perspectives to shape hiring outcomes. It also helps minimize bias and ensures that a well-rounded evaluation process is in place for each applicant.

• Enable flexible review: Team members can assess applications on their own schedules.
• Reduce bias: Group evaluations help avoid decisions based on a single viewpoint.
• Strengthen cultural fit: Multiple perspectives help identify candidates who align with company values.
• Foster transparency: Sharing feedback openly improves accountability and hiring quality.

Leverage Technology to Enhance Delivery

Modern video editing tools allow applicants to refine their submissions for maximum impact. With minimal investment, candidates can add captions, transitions, or visual cues that improve clarity and professionalism. Using these tools doesn’t require advanced technical skills—many platforms are user-friendly and intuitive. Investing time in producing a polished video reflects positively on your attention to detail and digital literacy, qualities that are increasingly valuable in today’s job market.

Gain a Competitive Edge in the Application Process

A compelling video presentation can elevate your application and help you stand out in a saturated job market. It offers a dynamic format to demonstrate soft skills like empathy, leadership, and enthusiasm that are otherwise hard to convey. When used strategically, video applications become a powerful asset that aligns with the modern hiring process. By putting a face and voice to your achievements, you create a lasting impression that’s hard to ignore.

• Showcase soft skills: Highlight emotional intelligence and leadership qualities in action.
• Demonstrate creativity: Use unique visuals or storytelling techniques to stand out.
• Highlight adaptability: Express your ability to thrive in fast-paced, tech-driven environments.
• Build employer trust: Show transparency and authenticity that helps establish early rapport.

Next Steps

• Plan your message: Outline key points such as your background, skills, and career goals before recording your video to stay focused and professional.
• Choose the right tools: Use reliable video editing platforms to enhance quality with proper lighting, transitions, and clear audio for better viewer engagement.
• Practice delivery: Rehearse your script to ensure confident, natural speech that reflects your personality without sounding overly scripted.
• Seek feedback: Share a draft version of your video with a trusted friend or mentor to get constructive feedback before submitting it to employers.
• Upload strategically: Include the video link in your resume or LinkedIn profile and tailor it for each role you apply to for maximum impact.

Final Words

A video presentation allows you to present more information to your recruiter through the pre-selection phase. You get a chance to show your human side using emotions, tone, and other expressions. 

In a few minutes, you get to put your voice, face, and energy into your CV, allowing you to show your communication skills and highlight the most relevant factors. It is impossible to demonstrate most of the soft skills in writing. 

Using the video presentation opportunity well to show your strengths can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates.