Pitch Perfect: How Video Introductions Enhance the Process of Hiring Contractors

Are you looking for a way to enhance your hiring process? In this episode, Becca Eberhart, CEO at Maximum Lawyer discusses the transformative potential of video introductions in the hiring process. 

AI tools like ChatGPT are being used to craft resumes and cover letters. This means hiring managers are not able to really know if a candidate’s credentials and experience is true or accurate. Becca talks about how integrating video introductions into the recruitment process is a game changer to really get to know the candidate. You are able to hear and see them right off the bat and get to know their personality and style. Normal resumes and cover letters can be generic and it can be difficult to find the perfect candidate for a role. Video introductions act as a preliminary face to face conversation with the candidate. This can quickly cut say 30 resumes down to a select few.

Becca walks through a few things to consider when deciding to use video introductions in the recruitment process. One thing is to establish clear guidelines and instructions for candidates to follow so they create a video that will get them noticed. It is a good idea to not tell them how to 

record the video or what tool to use. This can be a great way to see how resourceful the candidate is. Another thing is to set a time limit of how long the video needs to be. This will show if candidates understand how to be concise and focused. Since it is an introduction, keep videos short and to no longer than 1 minute. 

Listen in to understand how to streamline your selection process!

Episode Highlights:

• 00:23 Video introductions provide a more personal way to evaluate candidates
• 1:18 Text-based resumes may not effectively differentiate candidates
• 2:30 To incorporate video introductions, set clear guidelines for candidates

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Transcripts: Pitch Perfect: How Video Introductions Enhance the Process of Hiring Contractors

Speaker 1 (00:00:01) - Run your law firm the right way. The right way. This is the Maximum Lawyer podcast. Podcast. Your hosts, Jim Hacking and Tyson metrics. Let's partner up and maximize your firm. Welcome to the show.

Speaker 2 (00:00:23) - Welcome back to the Maximum Lawyer podcast. I'm Becca Eberhardt, the CEO at Maximum Lawyer, and today we're talking about the role of video introductions and revolutionizing the process of hiring contractors and freelancers. This is my very favorite hiring tip. In a world where AI is increasingly used to craft cover letters and generate keyword packed resumes based on job ads, traditional text based resumes may not be the best indicator of a candidate's true value. So what's the alternative? Picture this you're in the midst of seeking the perfect contractor for your next project, instead of just sifting through resume PDFs. What if you could actually see and hear the potential candidates before making a decision? That's the power of video introductions. And in this episode, we're going to explore how they can transform the hiring landscape when it comes to resumes.

Speaker 2 (00:01:18) - What good is text, really? Most people are using AI to write cover letters and create keyword descriptions based on what was written in your job ad. Other than years of experience, there's going to be less and less that make candidates stand apart from one another. But video video is who they are as an individual. Video introductions add a personal touch to the initial evaluation phase. When you watch a candidate introduce themselves on video, you get a feel for their personality, communication skills, and even their enthusiasm for the role. It's like having a preliminary face to face interaction which can help you shortlist candidates more effectively. This also shows whether or not they can follow directions. For me, when I specifically ask someone to include a video and they still only send over a resume that says they don't find the video important. This in turn, can be a valuable insight into their ability to prioritize tasks based on their perceived importance, which may not align with your expectations. Not ideal. Now let's discuss the practical steps of incorporating video introductions into the contractor hiring process.

Speaker 2 (00:02:30) - First, we need to set clear guidelines. Provide candidates with clear instructions about what you're looking for in their video introductions. This could include a brief overview of their skills, experience, and why they're interested in the role. I personally don't tell them how to submit their video, even if you do prefer loom or a video uploaded to YouTube or Google Drive. If it's something they've never done before, I want them to figure out how to send a video. This shows me if they don't know how to do something, they can be resourceful and figure it out. Next, set a time limit again, this will show how well they follow directions and help keep their video concise and focused. I cap it at one minute. This isn't an interview, it's an introduction. You can tell how someone holds themselves, how well they communicate and see what their body language tells you all in one minute. Video introductions offer a new dimension to evaluating contractors and freelancers. They provide a glimpse into the candidate's personalities and communication styles, allowing you to make more informed decisions.

Speaker 2 (00:03:37) - They can significantly streamline your selection process by narrowing down the candidate pool early on, saving you time and effort in the long run. So don't just read about your potential hires. See and hear them in action through video introductions.

Speaker 1 (00:03:55) - Thanks for listening to the Maximum Lawyer podcast. Stay in contact with your hosts and to access more content, go to Maximum lawyer.com. Have a great week and catch you next time!