Is a 'Hire Me' Video Your Secret Weapon in Today's AI-Dominated Job Market?

For generations, young post-grads trudging through the entry-level job search have been advised by those older and wiser to “just put yourself out there.” In the past, that well-intentioned (albeit vague) guidance for standing out in competitive job markets meant maybe cold emailing someone in a company’s C-suite to request an informational interview, or pulling up to a business with a hard copy of your resume. But today, that advice might mean hopping on camera and literally begging for a job.

There’s never been a stronger need to remind recruiters that there's a human being behind your cover letter. To put it frankly, the entry-level job market is being dogwalked by AI right now. On one hand, it’s the reason many early-career roles no longer exist. Since 2024, there’s been a 29% decline in these job postings, as companies increasingly delegate admin and junior-level tasks to AI tools. On the other hand, businesses are relying more on AI to handle the early stages of hiring. A recent report from ResumeBuilder revealed that this year, 83% of U.S. companies will use AI to screen resumes. That means thousands of applicants for a single role may never get their materials reviewed by a human being, unless they’re packed with the right keywords to game the system.

But in an effort to rise above the hundreds of other entry-level applicants launching resumes into the LinkedIn/Indeed/Glassdoor abyss, I’ve noticed some creative hopefuls embracing the modern interpretation of “putting yourself out there”: begging on main. Within the sea of posts with people rightfully lamenting about the dismal job market, I’m noticing a growing number of them are using the same platforms to actively market themselves. In what I deem the “Hire Me” video, candidates make a case for why they qualify for gainful employment in their respective fields.

At first, I saw these videos as somewhat of a last-ditch effort—especially when geared towards roles that don’t require any social media know-how. But while there’s no guarantee your clip will land on the FYP of a hiring manager at your dream company, it’s a step above an #OpenToWork LinkedIn post that signals you’re proactive, resourceful, and ready.

“Putting together a ‘Hire Me’ video is a great way to showcase your personality where a resume or LinkedIn profile would fall short,” Jason Leverant, President of the staffing firm AtWork, tells Cosmo. “It also demonstrates a high level of creativity and adaptability, showing hiring managers that you’ve got the technical ability and willingness to use digital tools to find success.” But there are potential drawbacks.

While posting videos about your job search will surely amplify your efforts, this approach might not land with every type of workplace. Some companies, especially those with strict policies around employee privacy and social media use, could see this content less like a clever self-promo tool and more like a red flag.

“These videos may unintentionally introduce the potential for bias in the hiring process, where hiring managers may form opinions based on the video quality, the appearance, or style of the video rather than your skills and abilities,” Jason adds. “Many hiring managers don’t rely on videos to make hiring decisions, so a good old-fashioned, well-written resume is still one of the most powerful tools.”

Make yourself as human as possible by embracing technology. Your personal brand is no longer based on a piece of paper.

Stacey Rich, Global VP of People at the AI company Smartcat, agrees, “What I think is happening is that while the resume is still needed, the way that the candidate presents themselves is digital, and it's deeper,” she says. “Make yourself as human as possible by embracing technology. Your personal brand is no longer based on a piece of paper. It’s your TikTok, your LinkedIn, and your YouTube. And if you're involved in social media or creative industries, it's also your online portfolio.”

Before you post a video in which you list off your hard and soft skills, make sure the focus remains more on what you bring to the table rather than just airing your frustrations with the job market (despite how justified you are in feeling that way). “As with anything public, the key is to stay mindful of how it comes across,” says Kayla Norflus, Senior Recruitment Marketing Specialist at TemPositions. “Sharing challenges is authentic and relatable, but leaning too negatively or bashing an industry can backfire. [But] the job market is tough, so creative approaches like this can really help.”

If you’re months into the job hunt with no prospects in sight, remember that you’re facing historically tough circumstances, and it’s no reflection of your talent or ability. And the widespread understanding of how bleak things are makes it way less embarrassing to advocate for yourself and your potential by any means, even TikTok. “It’s like having a first-round interview with the entire world watching…a little intimidating, but also a powerful way to show who you are,” Kayla explains. “Videos like this are a refreshing reminder that there’s a real person behind every application.”

Annabel Iwegbue is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers entertainment and lifestyle. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.