You found a job you're excited about. You clicked the link. Now you're staring at your camera, wondering what to say in 60 seconds that will actually make a hiring manager want to talk to you.
Good news: you don't need to be a professional speaker or have a fancy setup. You just need to be intentional. Here are five ways to make your video intro stand out from the stack.
Think of your video intro as a mini pitch. You're answering one question: why should this company want to talk to you?
A solid structure: start with who you are and what you do, then mention one or two relevant skills or experiences, and finish with why you're excited about this specific role or company. Keep it tight. You don't need to cover your entire resume — just the highlights that matter most for this job.
Practice a few times until it flows naturally, but don't over-rehearse. You want to sound confident, not robotic.
Hiring managers can tell when you're reading off notes. It feels stiff and rehearsed, and it kills the whole point of video: showing who you actually are.
You don't need to memorize a perfect script. Just know your three main points and talk like you're explaining them to a friend. A little stumble is fine. Sounding human is better than sounding polished but robotic.
Start with a smile. Sit up straight. Speak like you're excited to be there — because you should be.
Anyone can say "I'm a hard worker" or "I'm great with customers." Those phrases mean nothing without proof.
Instead, give a quick example. "At my last job, I handled 50+ customer calls a day and kept a 95% satisfaction rating." That's concrete. That's memorable. That gives the hiring manager something to hold onto.
You've only got 60 seconds, so pick one or two strong examples and let them do the heavy lifting.
You don't need to wear a suit. But you should look like you put in some effort.
Dress how you'd dress for an in-person interview at that company. If it's a startup, a clean shirt and put-together look is probably fine. If it's a law firm, maybe step it up. The point is to show you understand the environment you're trying to join.
And check your background. A plain wall or tidy space beats a pile of laundry every time.
Don't let your intro fizzle out with "so yeah, that's me" or an awkward pause. Finish strong.
A simple close works great: "I'd love the chance to talk more about how I can help the team. Thanks for watching." It's direct, professional, and leaves a good final impression.
The last few seconds matter. Make them count.