Video Interview: how to record a video interview?

Record a video interview is expected to represent 82% of total traffic. And companies are no exception. Video has become an essential communication tool to maintain a connection with their community, increase visibility, and drive conversions.

On social media, one of the formats most appreciated by viewers remains the video interview format, for several reasons. First, an employee interview puts a human face to your team members and brings more authenticity. It can also encourage potential candidates to apply to your company if your goal is to include this type of interview in your recruitment strategy.

In addition, it allows you to highlight your executives and introduce your new hires, both internally and externally. Finally, it is also a great way to showcase your expertise through customer testimonials.

If you are new record a video interview and are not sure how to interview a team member, feel free to read our article you will find several useful tips that will help you create a successful interview video.

Step 1: Define your objectives and plan how you will record a video interview for your audience using a storyboard.

This is the first step before start record a video interview, because it gives you a clear framework. Here are some questions you need to answer:

• Why are you record a video interview? What is the main goal you want to achieve?
• What message do you want to send to your target audience with your interview?
• What do you expect from the record a video interview?
• As part of a recruitment strategy, would you like to interview your employees to present a job?
• Do you want to encourage people to apply and highlight the company's values (as part of a storytelling strategy)?
• Do you want to introduce your new managers following a change in leadership?
• Would you like to ask your customers, via a testimonial, why they chose to use your services and expertise?
• Would you like to introduce a new employee using the Fast and Curious format, in which closed questions are posed to the interviewee in the form of dilemmas?

Below are some examples of video interviews for companies:
Change of management and introduction of new executives:

Example of a customer testimonial:

Example of a Fast & Curious video format:

As you can see, there are many contexts in which an interview can be used, as well as many editing styles that can match your communication goals. However, if you want to record a video interview with a professional result, it’s essential to prepare a clear plan in advance.

In this context, start by writing what is called a storyboard and a script to prepare your record a video interview. Divide your video into scenes (each frame representing one scene). Then, note all the relevant elements for the technical teams responsible for producing the video.

• intro
• jingle
• situations
• dialogue
• music
• subtitles
• transitions
• templates used
• character positioning
• clothing
• framing
• shot composition
• set / background
• mood, etc.

Proceed with casting and choose the person who is best suited to speak to your audience

The interviewees in your video will have a direct impact on the attention of your target audience. They will be the ambassadors for your brand, your products and services, and your company in general. Depending on their title and job description, some employees may capture attention more quickly (for example, your new executives or managers). But the position isn't everything. Your employees' ability to express themselves clearly and intelligibly and to control their body language will be crucial in conveying a professional and high-quality image of your company. As a result, you will need to choose your interviewees carefully for your video interview project. Prioritise people who are used to being filmed, who express themselves with ease, and who may have already participated in other on-camera interviews. This will greatly facilitate the filming of your video later on.

Brief and reassure the interviewer

Once you have selected people who are comfortable being filmed, you will still need to explain the basics of the project to them before filming. Will they need to speak loudly so that the sound is recorded clearly? How should they position themselves? Do they have to look directly at the camera?

Most importantly, you should advise your interviewees to smile and not frown during the interview on camera. To create a high-quality interview, your interviewees must remember that they need to convey a positive image of your company.

Creating interviews with people who have been briefed in advance will help you save time on the big day. In addition, you will improve your audience's experience when watching your video, which will certainly have a positive impact. So don't ignore this important step in communicating with your cast, no matter how small it may be.

Prepare questions for the video interview to get people interested

Successful interviewing also involves asking clear questions. These will likely be featured in a specific segment of your video interview, between each filmed response segment.

Here are some ideas for questions to ask when interviewing a new hire:

• What made you apply for the job?
• How would you describe your role in three words?
• What is your career background?
• Where did you study? What did you study?
• Where have you worked?
• What is your educational background?
• Which department do you work in?
• What is your current position?
• What are your responsibilities?
• What project are you currently working on?
• What is a typical workday like for you
• What is a typical week like for you?
• How would you like to grow professionally?
• If you had to describe the company in a few words, what would you say?
• What motivates you to get up in the morning?
• What is your motto or philosophy?
• What are your main professional challenges?
• What are you expecting from this new professional adventure?
• If you had to choose a mentor, who would you choose?
• When did you laugh a lot last time?
• What is your favorite movie quote?
• What is your guilty pleasure?
• What is your incredible talent?
• If you had to take three items to a desert island, what would you take?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the welcome you received at the company?
• What is your favorite movie?
• What is your greatest quality?
• What has been your best moment since you arrived?
• What are your hobbies?

Here are some ideas for questions to ask your managers, or for any interview with opinion leaders:

• How did you meet?
• How did you come up with the idea for the concept? For the tool?
• If you had to describe the concept/tool/application in three words, what would they be?
• Can entrepreneurs afford to have moments of doubt?
• What obstacles did you face?
• Was there a mistake that helped you learn a lot?
• What qualities do you look for in future candidates?
• What career opportunities are available to candidates?
• Any advice for candidates?
• What have you learned from management?

Procurez-vous le matériel pour filmer l’interview vidéo

Keep in mind that for this type of interview, you don't need professional equipment, as you would if you were shooting a film. However, you may want to use a clip-on microphone and a tripod to film with your smartphone so that you can capture the sound clearly.

Another little technical tip for a successful video interview: avoid artificial light, as this can be noticeable during editing! Instead, choose well-lit locations and lighting without backlighting.

Choose a good filming location for the best video interview

In preparation for filming, you need to scout locations. You need to know where you are going to shoot the video with the speaker. What is the best place to film your interview: inside your offices, to showcase your premises? Or outside, to take advantage of the summer sun and colors? Also take into account any potential noise. For example, avoid open-plan offices where everyone is talking on the phone during the day. Instead, opt for a friendly atmosphere (with paintings, plants, etc.).

Record the interview

Does making a video interview cause you stress? In that case, don't worry: you're not doing a live show. So there's no reason to panic! If you think a take is bad, you can always ask the interviewee to start over and redo the scene. Shoot multiple takes and you can choose one together during the video editing stage. You can even film your interview with your smartphone if that's easier for you.

Edit the video interview

You have your video clips and different segments. Now it's time to move on to the video editing stage. With the editor, you will assemble your footage, adding your visual identity and graphic charter (logo, motion design, other branding elements, etc.) so that you are instantly recognizable. The result of your editing should be a video that plays smoothly and dynamically for your audience. Also consider including subtitles, as most videos are viewed without sound on social media.

Ready to make a high-quality video interview? Contact Pitchy!

Today, it is possible for non-video professionals to use software designed for businesses to take control of and bring in-house their video creation (interviews or other types). You will find pre-designed templates for several use cases and video formats (interviews, teasers, product presentations, internal training, etc.). All our tools are at your disposal to help you achieve your communication and marketing goals. Want to learn more about creating your own video content? Take action today and book a demo of the Pitchy solution for your next video edit! And discover our offers!

And don't hesitate to watch the replay of our webinar “How to create professional interview videos.”