5 Skill Video Examples That Got Candidates Hired in 48 Hours
Real examples of skill videos across different roles — and what made them work.
Chris Fairley
Founder & CEO
What Makes a Skill Video Work?
A great skill video isn't about production quality. It's about proof.
In 30-60 seconds, candidates can demonstrate:
- Technical competence
- Communication style
- Professionalism
- How they think about their work
Here are 5 examples of skill videos that led to hires within 48 hours — and what made them effective.
Example 1: Line Cook — Knife Skills Demo
The Prompt: "Show your knife skills. Dice an onion and explain your technique."
What Worked:
- Started immediately — no long intro
- Demonstrated proper grip and cutting technique
- Explained why speed matters without sacrificing safety
- Finished with a clean, uniform dice
- 45 seconds total
Why It Led to a Hire:
The hiring manager could see in seconds that this candidate had real kitchen experience. No résumé could prove what 45 seconds of video showed.
Example 2: Barber — Fade Demonstration
The Prompt: "Record yourself performing a mid fade. Show your blending technique."
What Worked:
- Steady camera angle (tripod or propped phone)
- Showed multiple angles of the blend
- Explained guard transitions
- Final result was clean and professional
- 90 seconds total
Why It Led to a Hire:
The shop owner saw the candidate's style matched their aesthetic. The explanation showed the barber understood why techniques work, not just how.
More on barber hiring: How to Hire a Barber: The Skills-Based Approach
Example 3: Server — Handling a Complaint
The Prompt: "A guest says their steak is overcooked. How do you handle it?"
What Worked:
- Acknowledged the problem immediately
- Showed empathy without over-apologizing
- Offered a solution (replace the dish, comp dessert)
- Maintained positive energy throughout
- 40 seconds total
Why It Led to a Hire:
The restaurant manager saw someone who could stay calm under pressure and turn a negative into a positive. That's impossible to assess from a résumé.
Example 4: Automotive Technician — Diagnostic Walkthrough
The Prompt: "Walk through how you'd diagnose a check engine light."
What Worked:
- Started with safety (lifting the hood, checking for obvious issues)
- Explained diagnostic tool usage
- Described logical troubleshooting process
- Mentioned common causes vs. rare ones
- 75 seconds total
Why It Led to a Hire:
The shop saw someone who thinks systematically, communicates clearly, and prioritizes safety. These are hard to assess in interviews but obvious in a video.
Example 5: Retail Associate — Product Recommendation
The Prompt: "A customer asks for help choosing running shoes. Record your approach."
What Worked:
- Asked clarifying questions (What's your budget? How far do you run?)
- Showed product knowledge
- Compared options with pros/cons
- Made a confident recommendation
- 50 seconds total
Why It Led to a Hire:
The store manager saw natural sales ability and genuine enthusiasm. The candidate didn't just describe products — they sold them.
Common Patterns in Successful Skill Videos
| Element | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| No long intros | Get to the skill immediately |
| Clear audio | Explanation matters as much as visuals |
| Steady camera | Professionalism counts |
| Explain the "why" | Shows depth of understanding |
| Keep it short | 30-90 seconds is ideal |
Tips for Candidates Recording Skill Videos
- Practice once, then record — Don't over-rehearse
- Natural lighting works fine — No studio needed
- Prop your phone steady — Use a tripod or lean it against something
- Speak clearly — Your explanation matters
- Be yourself — Authenticity beats polish
Tips for Employers Requesting Skill Videos
- Be specific — "Show knife skills" is better than "show cooking skills"
- Keep prompts simple — One task per video
- Suggest length — "30-60 seconds" sets expectations
- Watch before calling — Use videos to filter, then interview
Framework: Skills-Based Hiring: The Complete Guide
FAQ: Skill Videos
What if a candidate has no experience?
Entry-level candidates can still demonstrate attitude, coachability, and basic competence. The video shows how they approach learning.
Should I accept TikTok-style edits?
Content matters more than style. If the skill is visible, the editing doesn't matter.
How do I store and organize videos?
Platforms like Vetano organize candidate profiles with videos, verification, and contact info in one place.
Getting Started
Skill videos aren't complicated. A smartphone, a simple prompt, and 60 seconds can tell you more than a stack of résumés.
Ready to see candidates before you call them? See how Vetano works →
