Job application - video

[AKettleof]

A job I have applied for has emailed asking for a video introducing myself and why I want the job, then the next stage is zoom interviews. I'm obviously happy to do a zoom interview but AIBU to find this odd? I've never had this before but admittedly this is my first job interview in awhile... Is this normal now?
I'm leaning towards I'm not going to doing it, it just seems weird and I don't want to. If I settle on not doing it, do I email explaining I'm not comfortable with sending them a video but if they would like to still consider me I'd be happy to do a zoom interview or just ignore?

Do it. I've done a TONNE of these - which industry are you in? Just say your name, your 10 second tag, why the industry, why the job, why firm and why you. It's super simple and formulaic. You can practice as much as you like in advance - just make sure you're looking into the camera rather than at a picture of yourself or reading from something.
Truthfully, in my industry, if someone refused to do it then they'd been completely removed from the process immediately - just like if you refused to do an interview.

Record yourself doing it a few times before you completely dismiss the idea.

I haven’t done it for a job interview, but we had to do something similar for an online conference. I hated doing it, but after watching everyone else, realised I was no better or worse.

Thank you, I guess it is normal now then. I'm still not convinced I want to do it. I'll probably just not respond to their email then if I settle on this.

I just figure is what interviews are for. If a company would not be willing to shortlist based on CVs but on faces, I probably wouldn't get a great shot as an almost middle aged woman vs say a young man anyway! So I don't see the point of making myself uncomfortable when I will likely not get it anyway and I'm sure there will be other jobs that don't do this.

There is no information about how or how long they store this videos, how many people will see it.

I think this kind of thing is becoming more common, so you just need to bite the bullet and get it over with. I don't think anyone relishes doing these things.

If a company would not be willing to shortlist based on CVs but on faces, I probably wouldn't get a great shot as an almost middle aged woman vs say a young man anyway! But if you think this is the case, wouldn't you have the same issue at interview?

I am pretty positive some civil service entry is doing this now, so again - this seems to be on the up both in the private and public sector!

Yeah actually it might be a bit of a weird thing for someone do to in recruitment- it allows for age based discrimination, as you say (although, if I were permitted, I would personally discriminate in favour of middle aged women) so it seems a bit iffy.

But I think either you do the video or you pull out- if I had a set way of recruiting and someone opted out without a solid reason (disability for eg), I would be quite put off them, I think.

Honestly, yes, it sucks but when you get 500+ applications and are trying to shortlist down, how else can recruiters figure out their dream 5-10 to interview? I've been on both sides - for a job I would usually get 30 or so applicants for, I did get more than 500. I asked 50+ for some extra stuff, and/or made some calls to ask a few questions to whittle the candidates down.

I've also had to apply for jobs in the last year, so yes, it's not unusual, yes, I agree with you I am being judged on appearance to a degree but also yes! I can make myself stand out here!!

@AKettleof

Thank you, I guess it is normal now then. I'm still not convinced I want to do it. I'll probably just not respond to their email then if I settle on this.

I just figure is what interviews are for. If a company would not be willing to shortlist based on CVs but on faces, I probably wouldn't get a great shot as an almost middle aged woman vs say a young man anyway! So I don't see the point of making myself uncomfortable when I will likely not get it anyway and I'm sure there will be other jobs that don't do this.

There is no information about how or how long they store this videos, how many people will see it.

From my understanding, they've become increasingly popular as people a) rely on people skills more and more, so they want to be sure you are able to actually communicate effectively and b) people are paying for professionals to write their CVs more so it's difficult to tell how good a candidate is from their CV. It's also aimed at removing awkwardness at the start of the interview.

If a company would not be willing to shortlist based on CVs but on faces, I probably wouldn't get a great shot as an almost middle aged woman vs say a young man anyway
Tbh I’d probably look more favourably on you because you look like me.

Just give it a go now, you don’t have to send it to them. Get someone to give you an honest opinion. I’d bet it won’t be anywhere near as bad as you think.