A Practical Guide for Businesses
How to Prepare Employees for a Video Interview
You don't need a team of professional presenters to make a good company video. Most employees know their work far better than they think they can explain it on camera. The trick is to make the process comfortable, keep the preparation simple and let people talk like themselves.
After around 1,000 projects producing business videos in Edmonton and Central Alberta, I've learned that a relaxed person giving a real answer is usually more useful than someone trying to remember a perfect line.
Most People Are Nervous. That's Normal.
Almost nobody I film is a professional on camera. They are supervisors, operators, office staff, tradespeople, managers and business owners. They know their jobs; they just may not be used to explaining them while a camera is pointed at them.
The good news is that this doesn't need to be a big production for the person being interviewed. Once people understand that we're having a conversation—not testing them or asking them to deliver a speech—the nerves usually settle down.
Here is how I recommend preparing your team for a corporate video interview, and what I do on my end to help the day go smoothly.
1. Pick People Who Know the Work
Choose people who understand the job and can explain it in plain language. The most outgoing person isn't always the best choice. A quiet employee who knows the process inside out can give you a much better answer than someone who is comfortable talking but has little to say.
Ask people rather than simply assigning them. If someone genuinely doesn't want to be on camera, respect that. You want people who can speak honestly about the work, not people who feel cornered into taking part.
2. Don't Make Them Memorize a Script
Memorized lines often sound memorized. People get caught up trying to remember the next sentence instead of explaining what they know. Give them the topics and the key points, not a speech they have to perform.
If a statement must be word-for-word—for example, a specific approved message—we can use a teleprompter for that section. For most employee interviews, though, a guided conversation sounds more natural and takes pressure off the person speaking.
3. Explain the Guided Interview
I ask a question, and the employee answers in their own words, much like they would explain something to a coworker. If an answer is unclear, too short or heads off in the wrong direction, I'll ask a follow-up or phrase the question another way.
We can pause, start an answer again and take our time. The finished video is edited, so a stumble or an awkward first attempt isn't a disaster. The goal is a clear, genuine answer—not a flawless performance in one take.
4. What Should Employees Wear?
Normal work clothes are usually best. Clean, well-fitting clothing, company gear or the uniform they actually wear at work all make sense. The point is to look like themselves at work, not like they've dressed for a formal portrait.
Avoid very fine stripes, tight repeating patterns and large logos from other brands, as these can distract or cause visual problems on camera. If there is protective equipment or a uniform required for the job, we should show the work properly and safely.
5. Sort Out Staff Releases in Advance
Your company should arrange the appropriate release forms for employees who will appear in the video. Handle that before filming day so nobody is being asked to sort out paperwork while the camera is ready.
Make sure staff understand how the video is intended to be used and who to speak with if they have questions. A clear process helps everyone know where they stand.
6. Keep the Logistics Simple
Book a quiet room or a suitable spot away from unnecessary noise and interruptions. Give each person a time slot, tell them roughly what we'll discuss and make sure they know where to go when it's their turn.
Short, relaxed interview sessions are usually better than keeping employees waiting around for hours. If we are filming on an active site or in a working office, we'll plan around the operation and any safety requirements.
What I Do on Interview Day
Preparing employees is only part of the job. My job is to make the process straightforward and help people give answers that sound like them.
- Keep the setup small. One person behind the camera means there isn't a crowd watching every answer.
- Talk before rolling. We have a conversation first so the interview doesn't feel like a test the moment recording starts.
- Ask useful follow-up questions. If an answer needs more detail, I'll ask for it rather than expecting the employee to guess what the finished video needs.
- Record a second angle when appropriate. A second camera angle gives me more options in the edit and can help cut around pauses or joins between answers.
- Choose the right format together. During planning, we'll decide whether a guided interview, teleprompter or a mix of both makes the most sense.
For a closer look at the options, read Teleprompter vs. Natural Interviews.
What Your Employees Should Know Before the Shoot
You don't need to give staff a long instruction manual. A short briefing is enough. Tell them:
- What the video is for and who is likely to watch it.
- The general topics we'll cover, without asking them to write and memorize answers.
- What clothing or work uniform makes sense for the shoot.
- Where and when to arrive, and how long they should allow.
- That they can pause, ask for a question to be repeated or try an answer again.
- Who has handled the required staff releases and any workplace permissions.
That is usually enough. The point is to help people feel prepared, not to make them overthink every word before they arrive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Giving everyone a script to memorize. This often makes employees sound stiff and less like themselves.
- Choosing people only because they are confident speakers. Knowledge, sincerity and a clear answer matter more than being the loudest person in the room.
- Leaving everything until shoot day. Confirm the interview subjects, location, schedule and release forms in advance.
- Making the setup intimidating. Too many people watching can make a straightforward interview feel like a presentation to an audience.
- Expecting every answer to be perfect first time. Interviews are conversations. Follow-up questions and another take are part of the process.
Quick Answers
How do I prepare employees for a video interview?
Explain the purpose and topics, choose people who know the work, sort out clothing and scheduling, and tell them they can answer in their own words. A guided interview helps take pressure off.
Should employees memorize a script?
Usually not. Memorized lines can sound stiff. Give employees the topics and let them answer naturally. A teleprompter can be used for wording that must be exact.
What should employees wear on camera?
Clean, well-fitting work clothes, company gear or their normal uniform are usually good choices. Avoid very fine stripes, busy repeating patterns and large logos from other brands.
What if an employee doesn't want to be filmed?
Respect that decision. I don't want someone feeling pressured to appear in a company video. Choose people who are willing to participate.
How long does an employee video interview take?
It depends on the subject and the project, but a planned, focused interview is usually easier on employees than a long, open-ended session. Allow enough time to settle in and answer follow-up questions.
Can nervous employees still give a good interview?
Absolutely. Most people I film aren't professional presenters. A relaxed conversation, clear questions and the ability to try an answer again usually help them settle in.
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