A lot of the time, when we talk about who to film, the same roles come up.
The CEO.
The People Director.
Heads of Department.
Someone who has been there for years and worked their way up.
Don’t get me wrong, these voices have value.
But there’s a group that always gets overlooked…
Recent joiners.
Why would you film someone who’s only just joined? What do they know about your company?
Actually, quite a lot.
They’ve just made the decision to apply.
They’ve just experienced your recruitment process.
They’ve just gone through your onboarding and induction.
They’re experiencing your culture from a fresh perspective.
Most importantly…
They still remember what it feels like to be on the outside looking in.
That makes their perspective incredibly powerful.
Because when it comes to employee video storytelling, relatability is everything.
Your target talent audience isn’t trying to imagine themselves as your CEO.
They’re trying to see what it looks like a few months or a year down the line.
That’s the story they connect with.
That’s the story that drives action.
So, what to ask them?
Here are five content prompts that work every single time.
1. What attracted you to <insert company name>?
This is powerful.
Because you’re taking them back to the moment your audience is at right now.
They were scrolling.
They were comparing roles.
They were deciding whether to click “apply”.
What made them choose you?
What did they see that caused them to take action?
Which aspects of your employer brand or recruitment marketing resonated?
Asking this question amplifies the elements that are obviously cutting through – they maybe things you hadn’t realised were working so well for you (great insights to have).
Hearing why someone applied, from someone who recently applied, is very relevant.
What can you ask next?
2. How was your first week? What were your first impressions?
This is an open prompt, and that’s exactly why it works so well.
You’re not leading them. You’re just giving them space to reflect.
And what tends to come out are the moments that mattered most.
The welcome on day one.
The people they met.
The little things they didn’t expect.
First impressions carry lots of energy.
When someone talks enthusiastically, it comes across on camera instantly.
For someone watching, it sends a simple message: “They made the right decision.”
That’s very reassuring for someone thinking about applying.
Video director tip: notice there are two questions in one. That’s deliberate. It’s a technique we use to make it feel less like a Q&A session, and more like a conversation.
3. What support have you had since joining?
This question taps directly into one of the biggest concerns for today’s talent audiences.
“Will I be supported?”
No one wants to feel like they’re being thrown in at the deep end.
They want to know there’s structure.
That there’s guidance.
That someone has their back.
When you ask this, you’ll start to hear about induction programmes, training, development, mentoring or buddy systems, day-to-day support.
The beauty of this prompt is that everyone answers it differently. Those different perspectives are gold.
They build a richer, more believable picture of what it’s actually like to join your organisation.
It shows that support isn’t just a statement, it’s something people have genuinely experienced.
OK, we’re more than half way through now, and hopefully everyone is feeling relaxed, including you, the person asking the questions.
Video director tip – take your time, don’t rush or start thinking about the next prompt to ask. Don’t look down at your notes, really listen to the answers. If you rush then so will the person you are filming and the answers will start to lose the all important engagement factor.
4. What progression opportunities are there ahead for you?
Now, this one depends slightly on timing.
If someone joined last month, it might be a bit early.
But once someone has been in the role for a few months, it becomes a really important prompt.
Because it shifts the story from “joining” to “growing”.
What are they aiming for?
What have they been told about their future?
What opportunities can they see ahead?
Progression doesn’t always mean big promotions.
Sometimes it’s about learning new skills, taking on more responsibility, moving into new areas, building confidence.
What matters is that there’s a path.
And when recent joiners talk about that path, it signals something really important:
“This is a place where people can build a future.”
Ready for the last prompt? It’s my favourite one of all.
5. What’s been the best thing so far?
Oh yes.
It usually catches people slightly off guard.
And that’s a good thing.
When you ask it in a relaxed, conversational way, not formally, you get the best responses.
I won’t give any examples because the answers are so different, so unique.
You are going to have to ask the question yourself and see what the responses are!
It’s likely to be something you aren’t expecting.
And those answers are powerful. Because they’re emotional, instinctive, and real.
Video director tip – for this prompt to work everyone needs to be feeling relaxed, so it is best asked right at the end, almost like an afterthought.
Final thoughts on video prompts for new joiners
The way you ask the questions matters as much as the prompt itself. It can’t be a question and answer session. It has to feel like a conversation.
Keep it relaxed, let people talk, don’t rush, follow interesting threads. The best content comes naturally. And that’s what makes employee video storytelling so powerful!