Top talent is picky, and the truth is, they can afford to be. The best candidates are not endlessly scrolling job boards, hoping something fits. They are looking for a place that feels right. Salary matters, of course, but so do values and culture, and that gut feeling, that quiet little moment of “yes, I can see myself there.”
That is what wins your company the best people. It is not just what you offer on paper, but how you make them feel from the very first glance.
In London, that first glance has never mattered more. The city attracts some of the brightest minds in the world. London has an incredible pool of talent. But it is competitive for both companies and candidates. London also has the UK’s highest vacancy rates in professional and tech roles, according to the Greater London Authority and strong candidates often hold multiple offers at once.
To stand out, companies need more than a job description. They need a story that people want to be part of. But not every business has the in-house creative skills or video know-how to bring that story to life. In that case, it can be transformative to bring in a London based corporate video production agency like MHF Creative. Partnering with specialists means you can shape an authentic employer brand video that connects with people on a human level and shows them exactly why your company is worth joining. Video storytelling is a real modern-day superpower.
Making the Right First Impression
Your employer brand starts speaking long before an interview.
Withe sites that, according to LinkedIn, seventy-five per cent of job seekers consider an employer’s brand before they even apply. That means the right message can inspire people to apply before you have even spoken to them. A company-branded video does exactly that. In just a minute or two, it can capture your mission, your energy, and the spark that makes your workplace unique. It becomes a first impression people actually remember, and it can be the thing that shifts them from curious to excited.
The Psychology Behind Why Video Works
Video is persuasive because it speaks to both the head and the heart.
Humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text (3M), and we retain 95 per cent of a video’s message compared to just 10 per cent when reading it. Combine tone of voice, music, facial expressions and pacing, and you create something that pulls people in emotionally as well as logically.
For someone weighing a big career move, that emotional pull really matters. They are not just choosing a salary, they are choosing a future. Video lets them feel that future, if only for a few seconds, and that emotional spark is often what stays with them long after they stop watching.
Bringing Your Culture to Life
Culture is tricky to describe in a job listing, but the moment you see it, you know.
A team laughing together, solving problems, celebrating wins… it just clicks. It is real. And it is that realness that makes people think, “I want to be part of this.”
Half of candidates say they would not work for a company with a bad culture, even for more pay (MIT Sloan School of Management). A short video showing the people behind your brand, how they work, how they collaborate, how they treat each other, gives top candidates a reason to choose you over a dozen other offers. It creates a sense of belonging before they have even applied.
Showing What You Stand For
These days, the best talent is not just looking for a job. They are looking for purpose.
They want to feel proud of where they work. They want to see real values, not just nice words on a careers page. Video is the quickest way to show that those values actually live in your company’s day-to-day.
PwC claims eighty-six per cent of employees say they want to work for companies that align with their values . A brand film that highlights your social impact work, sustainability efforts or commitment to diversity shows that you are serious about more than profit. That matters, because when people see values in action, they are far more likely to trust you with their careers.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
In competitive industries, great candidates get snapped up fast.
London professionals also work differently now. Four in five work hybrid at least part of the week , which means their first real impression of your culture probably will not be your office, it will be your digital presence.
A branded employer video gives you an edge. It cuts through the noise of templated job ads and stock photos, showing that you are proud of what you have built and invested in your people. Ninety-two per cent of employees say they would consider changing jobs if offered a role at a company with an excellent reputation (Glassdoor). A strong video builds that reputation quickly. It is what makes people stop scrolling and start picturing themselves on your team.
How to Build a Standout Employer Brand Video
An effective employer brand video is not just about looking polished, it is about clarity and honesty.
It starts with knowing what you want people to feel when they watch it. Do you want them to be inspired, energised, welcomed? Once you know that, you can build the story around it. The most powerful videos are rooted in real people. Featuring your actual employees, not actors, creates instant trust. Let them talk about what it is really like to work with you. Show moments of collaboration, problem-solving and even the small, everyday things that make your culture feel alive.
Keep it short enough to hold attention, around a minute or two, but make sure it leaves an emotional imprint. And make sure the tone, music and visuals reflect your brand honestly. People can tell when something feels off. When everything aligns, your message, your visuals, your energy, the result is a video that does not just explain what you do. It shows people why you are worth joining.
Common Mistakes That Turn Talent Away
Of course, the wrong video can do the opposite.
It is easy to slip into corporate fluff, those over-polished scripts full of buzzwords that sound slick but feel cold. Stock footage can be just as damaging, making you seem distant or generic. Overpromising is another trap. Painting a glossy picture of a culture that does not exist will backfire the moment someone walks through the door. And perhaps the biggest mistake of all is forgetting the human story. Listing perks and benefits might get attention, but it rarely inspires action. People do not join companies, they join people.
High performers can spot inauthenticity a mile off. Honesty always wins.
Turning Recruitment Into a Long-Term Strategy
The best thing about branded content is that it works long after you post it.
Your video can live on your careers page, social media, job listings, onboarding emails and internal events. It shapes how people talk about your brand and attracts future candidates before you even start hiring. It also pays off. Companies with strong employer brands see 43 per cent lower cost per hire (LinkedIn) because they attract better candidates, faster.
Measuring the Impact of Employer Brand Videos
To make employer brand video a long-term investment, you need to measure it like one.
Start by tracking engagement on your careers pages, job ads and social campaigns. Watch for changes in application numbers and quality after the video goes live. Ask new hires how they first came across your brand and what impression they had before applying. If you can, connect the campaign to time-to-hire and cost-per-hire data to show the real impact. It proves to stakeholders that storytelling is not just creative, it is strategic.
Choosing the Right Video to Tell Your Story
Different stories need different formats, and the strongest employer brands mix them.
A brand film can show your mission, vision and values in one cinematic sweep, perfect for building awareness. Culture videos bring everyday moments to life, letting candidates picture themselves in your team. Personal employee stories build trust by showing real journeys and voices from inside your company. Event highlights, from milestones to team days, capture the energy that makes your workplace vibrant.
At MHF Creative, we create all of these. Each one is designed to feel human, honest and cinematic, showing candidates not just what you do, but why it matters.
Attracting the People Who Will Shape Your Future
Hiring is not just about filling roles, it is about shaping the future of your business.
The people you bring in now will define your culture, your growth and your reputation for years to come. The best talent knows that, and they choose companies that feel like home.
A branded company video gives them that feeling. It shows them who you are, what you stand for and why joining your team is a decision they will be proud of.
It moves you from being just another employer to becoming the place they want to be.
Photo credtis: Coworking London