This 2 minute 11 second recruiting video is quite good. It is focused on millenials…for entry level (starting your career). They speak only to this age group in this video and what is important to them (at least what we are told at in recruiting conferences and workshops). There is also a strong focus on diversity (which is important to millenials).
This kind of video gives them a huge edge over companies just pushing their job description. The best and brightest would be attracted. In the four months it has been published on YouTube, it has been viewed over 3,000 times. They wisely also show off their award…”BusinessWeek ranked Deloitte #1 on its 2009 list of Best Places to Launch a Career. Watch to see why our people agree.”
Here is a competitor’s product video. It is 1 minute long and involves a person introducing the shoe. This video has some personality and the host (a millenial) makes it more engaging. This video has a handy-dandy buy now button…for those that loved the shoe and want it now.
This is just another way to show off a product as mundane as a shoe. This video will likely appeal to millenials…considering the age of the host and the language used. Showing this kind of uniqueness and personality builds the company’s brand and image. Instead of a plain “vanilla” like the previous video (“just the fact mam”)…this one is fun.
This 5 minute 29 second video is a little long for my tastes, but pretty good. It is aimed at entry level people, and you get to meet a few to hear from them. Unfortunately, you see a list of core competencies that every company wants – problem solving and analytics, leadership and initiative, client relationship building, and professional presence and communication skills. The analytics is more specific to this position, but the rest are what every company is looking for. Fortunately, and not a bad idea for the video, they then have some lower level hires talk about their experience of these key factors and what they mean.
However, at the end, are you more likely to apply to Lehman Brothers? I am not. There still is little information or familiarly with their environment. They told me what they wanted…but what about what I want. Remember, the videos are not about you! It is about what is in it for the viewer. Why should I or anyone else apply for this position?
This 2 and a half minute video just feels so contrived, hokey, and lame. After a 1/2 minute of zooming around the office with an upbeat soundtrack, you hear priceless lines like “let’s sell some batteries”, “the incentives here are awesome”, “I love working here”, “we’re making a difference”, and “nobody gives you more power.” I got the distinct impression that was scripted…and therefore totally believable (the cup of sarcasm runs over). Then you get high-fives and struck poses. They are looking for college graduates interested in sales….I think this video has sent many of them running (away)…and we are only 1 minute into the video.
Then suddenly, a couple actual honest “testimonials” from employees. Then it goes right back into the commercial and sales pitch. The way to recruit people with video is not to show them a commercial. The way to recruit people with video is to give them an honest and transparent look into the company…give them information…not hype. That is what Millennials (college graduates) expect…they don’t believe these contrived sales pitches.
This video is about working at Agilent…and really says nothing at all. Furthermore, it is too long – 6 minutes and 33 seconds. It should have been at least 2 videos, not one. Nothing was said about what it is like to work for Agilent the first three and a half minutes…it was all the typical jargon (it is a place to grow, premiere company, creative corporation, etc.) that everyone else says as well and statistics and facts about the company (which really does not tell me about them or how it is to work for them).
Also, they are not taking advantage of the social networking and community aspect of YouTube. They allowed comments and such, and the video has 1 rating of 1 star. The first comment on this video starts, “Agilent is probably one of the most dysfunctional companies I’ve worked for.” The second comment starts, “I used to work for one of those acquisitions. Dysfunctional is way too gracious? of a description.” So I find out they are dysfunctional and mismanaged. Do I want to go and apply now? NO! When the video says “we are doing things the right way” and you read the comments…you definitely feel that the video is not honest.
