Self-introduction video for a job: four parts, one minute and the phone you already own

A good self introduction video for a job lasts about one minute and does four things: it says who you are, names your trade and your experience, gives one short proof of your skill, and explains why you want this particular job. Film it on your own phone, in a quiet room with light on your face, then watch it back before you send it. The rest of this guide shows how to do each part well.

If you work with your hands and are applying for jobs abroad in your second language, start here and follow the links for more detail.

Applying to more than one country? Our guide to changing a self-introduction video for an overseas job shows the small edits for Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the Gulf.

Before you plan your four parts, it helps to know what the person watching is checking for. Our guide to what employers look for in a candidate explains the five qualities and how each one shows on camera.

What this video is, and what it is not

A self-introduction video is a short clip where you speak to an employer you have not met yet. You look at the camera, say your name and talk about your work. It lets them hear your English and see how you present yourself before any interview.

It is not a replacement for your written CV. Tahatū Career Navigator, New Zealand's government careers service, says a video CV does not replace the written one, but it does show your personality and can help you stand out. Our guide on when to send a video CV with your paper CV covers this choice in more detail.

It is also different from a pre-recorded interview. The Australian Government's Job Jumpstart site explains that some video interviews are a set of pre-recorded questions you answer on camera. There the employer picks the questions. In your own intro video, you pick the message.

How long should it be?

Official advice in different countries points to the same answer: keep it brief.

Length is only one thing that can go wrong. Our guide to self-introduction video mistakes and how to fix them covers light, sound, framing and what to leave out.

Our advice is to plan for one minute. At a calm speaking pace of about 140 words a minute, that is roughly 140 words. That is enough for four clear parts if every sentence earns its place.

The four parts of a strong introduction

Think of the video as four short blocks. Each one answers a question the employer has in their head.

Part 1: who you are

Say hello, your name and your trade in one breath. Skip your date of birth and family details; they do not help the employer decide.

An example for a cook: "Hello, my name is [your name]. I am a cook with [number] years in busy hotel kitchens."

Part 2: your trade and experience

Name the kind of work you do every day, the places you have done it and any licence or ticket you hold. The Australian Government's Your Career site says employers generally look for the right qualifications or work experience, plus employability skills such as communication and teamwork. Mention both.

An example for a diesel mechanic: "I service and repair trucks and earthmoving machines. For the last [number] years I have worked in a fleet workshop with [number] other mechanics, and I hold a [licence name]."

Part 3: one proof

This is the part most people skip, and it is the part employers remember. Pick one real job you did and tell it in three or four sentences. The STAR method helps: the situation, the task, what you did and the result. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers recommends it for questions about your past work.

An example for an electrician: "Last year a factory lost power on one production line. I found a burnt connection in the switchboard, made it safe and replaced it. The line was running again the same shift."

Keep it true: choose a result you could explain in more detail at an interview.

Part 4: why this job

End by linking your skills to the role you are applying for, then thank the viewer. Tahatū Career Navigator suggests finishing a video CV by thanking the employer and giving your contact information. If the video goes on a profile that already shows your details, a thank you is enough.

An example for a truck driver: "I am looking for long-distance driving work where safety and on-time delivery matter. Thank you for watching."

For full answers built on these parts, see our sample answers for tradespeople and the 60-second scripts for five trades.

From written notes to natural speech

Write your four parts on paper first. Use short sentences and words you say every day at work. If a word is hard for you to pronounce, change it for an easier one.

Then practise out loud, many times. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to practise reading your key points aloud until you sound professional without sounding like you are reading. Tahatū Career Navigator says the same: practise in front of friends or family and ask what they think.

Your accent is not a problem. What matters is that people can follow you, so slow down and pause between ideas. Our guide on speaking confidently on camera when English is your second language has exercises for this.

How to record it on your phone

You do not need a new camera. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says your phone camera should work well. Follow these steps for each recording session:

1. Charge the phone, check you have free storage and switch on silent mode so calls do not break a take.
2. Choose a quiet room with a plain, tidy wall behind you.
3. Face a window or a lamp. The Job Jumpstart checklist says the light should not be behind you.
4. Stand the phone on something steady at eye level, so your head and shoulders sit in the centre of the frame.
5. Put on the clothes you would wear to an interview for this job.
6. Film a short test clip of about 10 seconds and play it back to check your face and your sound.
7. Record the full introduction while looking at the lens, not at your own face on the screen.
8. Do as many takes as you need, then trim the silent seconds at the start and end. Google Photos on Android lets you drag trim handles and save a copy.

For more on light, sound, framing and phone settings, read our plain guide to recording on your phone.

Check it before you send it

Watch the whole video once with sound and once with the sound off. With sound, ask yourself: can I understand every sentence? With no sound, check your posture, your eye line and whether anything in the background pulls attention.

Then show it to one person you trust. The Job Jumpstart checklist suggests asking friends or family for feedback on your appearance, your eye contact and whether your voice was clear.

• Does it start with your name and trade within the first few seconds?
• Is there one real example of your work?
• Does it end with why you want this job and a thank you?
• Is it close to one minute?

Where to put your video

Tahatū Career Navigator suggests uploading a video CV to your online job profile if you have one. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers also mentions uploading a video resume to YouTube as unlisted, so it does not appear in search results but can be opened by anyone who has the link.

A profile keeps the video next to your work history, so the employer sees both together. On Talent Tabloid you can keep a profile with your skills and experience and show an intro video on it.

The SelfIntroVideo app is built for this step. It writes a script of 90-160 words from your Talent Tabloid profile, lets you rehearse with a teleprompter, and sends the finished video to that profile with "Set as Intro Video". You can see the steps on how the app works. It is an Android app and is not on Google Play yet; it is coming soon.

Common mistakes

• Going too long. Three minutes of life story loses the viewer. Cut everything that does not help this employer decide.
• Listing duties with no proof. "I am hard-working and reliable" says little. One real job, told in a few sentences, says much more.
• Reading word for word. Your eyes drop and your voice goes flat. Practise until you only need a glance at your notes.
• Light behind you. A bright window behind your head turns your face into a dark shape. Turn around so the light is in front.
• Holding the phone in your hand. Even a steady hand shakes. Prop the phone up or use a small stand.
• Using one video for every job. Change the last part for each role, so it matches the job ad.
• Saying things you cannot back up. Do not add years, licences or results you do not have. Immigration New Zealand warns that lying to qualify for a job or a visa is illegal.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a self-introduction video for a job be?

Aim for about one minute. New Zealand's Tahatū Career Navigator suggests a spoken introduction of no more than 60 seconds, and the Australian Government's advice for job seekers says a video resume should stay under 2 minutes. One minute is enough for four short parts and keeps the viewer with you.

Can I read my self-introduction from a script?

You can write a script, but you should not sound like you are reading it. The Australian Government's advice for job seekers says to write your key points first and practise them aloud many times. A teleprompter that scrolls slowly also helps you keep your eyes near the lens.

Does a self-introduction video replace my CV?

No. Tahatū Career Navigator says a video CV does not replace your written CV, but it shows your personality and can help you stand out. Send the video with your CV, and make sure both tell the same story about your trade and experience.

What should I wear in my job introduction video?

Wear what you would wear to a face-to-face interview for that job. Clean, plain work clothes suit most trades. The National Careers Service in the UK also suggests smart, plain clothing that is not distracting on camera, and no heavy or noisy jewellery.

Is a self-introduction video the same as a pre-recorded video interview?

Not quite. In your own intro video you choose what to say. In a pre-recorded interview the employer sets the questions, and the Australian Government's Job Jumpstart site says there is often a time limit for each answer. The practice you do for your intro still helps a lot there.

Key takeaways

• Plan for one minute, about 140 spoken words.
• Use four parts: who you are, your trade and experience, one proof, and why this job.
• Write short notes, then practise out loud until you sound natural.
• Film on your phone with light in front, the phone steady at eye level, and a plain background.
• Watch it back, ask one person for feedback, then add it to your profile next to your CV.