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In a talent market where attention is scarce and competition is fierce, your employer brand can’t afford to blend in online. Enter: social-first video. 

It’s not just another format. It’s a mindset shift that meets candidates exactly where they are, with content crafted to stop the scroll and spark connection.

In this post, we’ll explore exactly what social-first video is for employer brand and recruitment marketing, best practices to stand out in a crowded feed, and real examples of social-first video that bring company culture to life. 

What Is Social-First Video?

Social-first video is content created specifically and strategically for social media channels. Rather than a long-form video repurposed to fit a feed, social-first video is built for platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok with their dimensions, pacing, tone, and visual style in mind. 

Think: square videos with bold text overlays on LinkedIn or vertical stories with native effects on Instagram.

It’s not about shrinking content to fit social—it’s about expanding your impact by designing with social in mind from the start.

Why Social-First Video Works

For employer brand and recruitment marketing teams, social-first video delivers what traditional content often can’t: immediacy, authenticity, and reach. Here’s why it’s so effective:

1. Meet Talent Where They Already Are

Social media is no longer just a “nice to have” in your employer brand strategy—it’s a primary destination for candidates to discover, evaluate, and engage with your company. Social-first video ensures your brand shows up natively in the spaces where job seekers (especially passive ones) are already spending time.

2. Stop the Scroll 

Today’s candidates scroll fast. To capture attention, you need to earn it in the first three seconds—and you won’t do that with repurposed content meant for a careers page or internal meeting. Social-first video thrives on immediacy and relevance and is designed with the platform in mind. It hooks viewers fast and tells a meaningful story in seconds, not minutes.

3. Support an Always-On Strategy

Short-form, social-first content allows you to maintain visibility over time, not just during big campaign rollouts. These videos can be turned around quickly, respond to trends or timely moments, and scale across channels. That agility supports a sustained presence—a key driver in building trust and recognition with passive talent.

Best Practices for Social-First Video

If you’re investing in social-first video (and you should be), here are a few best practices to ensure your content hits the mark:

• Create for Silent Viewing
  Did you know that 80% of Linkedin and 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound? That means your visuals have to carry the story. Use captions, graphics, and bold headlines to ensure your message lands without audio.
  
• Optimize by Channel
  One size doesn’t fit all—even across social media platforms. LinkedIn favors polished, professional content; Instagram stories lean casual and behind-the-scenes. Tailor your dimensions (think square, vertical) and your creative style to each platform’s strengths.
  
• Hook Fast
  The scroll is real. You’ve got three seconds to grab attention, so lead with your strongest visual, most relatable insight, or a surprising question. This isn’t the time for a slow build — reimagine your story arc to deliver the punch up front.

Social-First Video Ideas for Employer Branding

Not every video is meant to be shared on social media. Here are a few story arcs that work especially well for your social-first video employer brand strategy. 

Day-in-the-Life and Realistic Job Previews

For candidates, especially passive ones, day-in-the-life and realistic job preview videos offer a front-row seat to the work experience they can’t get from a job description. A quick walkthrough of a morning routine, a team huddle, or a “ride along” through a typical day demystifies the role while showcasing the culture in action. 

Plus, this format scales seamlessly across functions, teams, and locations—making it ideal for an always-on content strategy that highlights the full range of roles, environments, and work styles within your organization.

We love this video from The Knot Worldwide, taking us through a day in the life of a hybrid sales manager in Spain. Note the use of graphics at the beginning to break the fourth wall and draw viewers in. 

Leader and Employee Spotlights

Employee spotlight videos give candidates a direct look at the people behind your brand. Whether it’s a leader reflecting on their career journey or an employee sharing what makes their team special, these stories bring your EVP to life in a personal and relatable way.

They’re quick to produce, easy to personalize, and highly scalable—making them perfect for a series that builds trust and familiarity with your culture over time.

We love this employee spotlight from Samsung Semiconductor, highlighting Garima’s lifelong passion for sustainability and how she finds meaning in her work. 

Plus, Samsung Semiconductor made the spotlight extra meaningful by sharing it in celebration of Earth Day on LinkedIn. Which brings us to…

Honoring Holidays and Cultural Moments

Short-form videos that celebrate cultural holidays, observances, and heritage months by amplifying employee voices show candidates that inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s visible in your day-to-day culture. They’re timely, engaging, and a powerful way to build emotional connection while reinforcing your commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging.

See how Stellantis honored their women in manufacturing during Women’s History Month: 

Workspace and Culture Tours

Showcasing where and how your team works helps candidates picture themselves there. A fast, informal walkthrough—whether in-office, hybrid, or remote—offers a more vivid and trustworthy view of your environment than any career site blurb.

These videos are especially effective during key hiring pushes or office milestones, and they’re easy to refresh and repurpose as your workspace evolves.

See this example from Expedia Group: 

What stories will you share on social?

Social-first video isn’t just about checking a box on your content calendar—it’s about deepening the connection between your brand and your future employees. When done right, these videos don’t just inform—they inspire, invite, and engage.

At Stories Inc., we specialize in helping you craft these kinds of social-first stories—authentic, creative, and built to perform in the platforms where your brand matters most. Get in touch to see how we can bring your vision to life!