What You Can Do with an HR Video

Cheesy, dull, repetitive — HR videos don’t always have the best reputation. And that reputation isn’t completely unwarranted. Some companies might think that because these videos aren’t always public-facing, they can skate by with something subpar.

But don’t sell yourself short. We’re guessing your company is probably more interesting than you might think. HR videos have the ability to showcase all the positive aspects of your company, team, and culture to the people who currently work there, as well as prospective hires.

There’s an endless number of use cases for HR videos, but we’ve found some shining stars that really get it right. Let’s take a look at some examples.

Twitter: Flaunt your company’s quirks

Close your eyes. When you envision a professional company, your brain might summon illusions of fancy suits, big buildings, or dreary boardrooms. After all, there’s a reason people rarely use the words “fun” and “professional” in the same sentence.

But every company has at least some hint of a personality hiding behind their exterior that makes them special — something that builds a sense of culture and community that makes people want to come to work every day.

Take Twitter, for example. The social media juggernaut successfully shows off their playful company culture with this low-fi, low-budget parody recruitment video.

“Working at Twitter isn’t just a sweet job. It’s a way of life. A way of life that’s like a sweet job.”

Don’t be afraid to show your true colors in your videos. In fact, that bit of personality can show current and future team members that there’s more to your company than just spreadsheets and deadlines.

Google: Share what you’re up to in the community

It’s no secret that most people don’t love talking about themselves or even being on camera, for that matter. But as a company, if you’re getting involved with a great cause or launching a new company-wide initiative, you should spread the word far and wide. And an HR video is the perfect tool for getting the message out there.

Google does this really well with a series of videos highlighting their Impact Challenge. In these videos, the company shows us how the #ForEveryKid challenge, plus the contributions of their employees, help fund solutions to various social and environmental problems around the world. The stories of how even a small donation help make a difference serve to inspire both current and potential employees to get involved.

Get the word out, show your team that you care about giving back to the community, and above all, encourage them to take action and be a part of it!

Starbucks: Talk about important changes

It’s easy to forget (or want to forget) that external factors can impact both your company and team. When it comes to employee benefits, healthcare and taxes are often dependent on government policies and how your company implements them. This can be a sensitive topic, especially when policies change, so making sure to over-communicate with your team is of the utmost importance. HR videos that clearly explain the status of a recent change in policy can go a long way in instilling a sense of confidence and trust in your employees.

“HR videos that clearly explain the status of a recent change in policy can go a long way in instilling a sense of confidence and trust in your employees.”

For example, when the American Health Care Reform Act was passed in 2013, Starbucks responded with a series of videos that told team members how management was planning to ensure everyone had access to health insurance options.

These videos educated team members about the changes going into effect, while at the same time underscoring the notion that Starbucks had their employees’ best interests at heart. Featuring Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, in these videos also added an extra layer of credibility and authenticity to the videos, making them even more effective.

Make your own HR video

HR videos have the ability to engage your audience, whether internal or external, just as effectively as any other video could. At the end of the day, your ultimate goal is to create a better working environment for your team and potential hires, and these videos can help you achieve that goal.

So what are you waiting for? You have all the equipment you need to get started right at your fingertips. Whether you use a smartphone, GoPro, or maybe even Wistia’s built-in screen and webcam recorder, it’s easy to hit “record” and start making your video today. Take the time to find a topic your team is passionate about, plan out your video, and start recording!