CandidatesCandidate guide
Nail your video pitch in under 2 minutes.
The candidate guide: what to say, how to say it, and how to share your 2’MAX.
In the platform
Your studio, on your phone.
- Your notes appear on screen while you speak.
- Unlimited attempts: you choose the take that sounds like you.
- A link, a PDF and a QR code to add to your CV.
- Video tutorials in your workspace to practice in private.
The first 30 seconds
It all comes down to your opening.
Within moments, a recruiter senses your energy, your clarity and your motivation. Well handled, this opening makes them want to know more.
- Prepare before you film. “What is thought clearly is stated clearly.” Three strong ideas are enough.
- Hook them. An anecdote, a question, a look: the moment you engage the other person.
- Structure it. Chapters, transitions, little pauses to move from one idea to the next.
- Mind your posture. It’s not only about words: eye contact, energy, presence, everything comes across.
- Aim for authenticity. “The perfect 2’MAX doesn’t exist.” Giving the best of yourself is what perfection means.
Advice from Arnaud Ardoin, journalist and public speaking specialist.
What to talk about? The basics
What every recruiter needs to know.
There is no magic recipe: pick a few ingredients that inspire you and complement your CV.
- Education and specialization. “I’m finishing the third year of a bachelor’s degree in international business.”
- The role you want. The assignments you would like to take on, the contract you are aiming for: internship, work-study, job.
- Location and mobility. “I study in Rouen and I’m interning in Lyon: I don’t set myself any geographical limits.”
- The last word. Keep 10 seconds to set up what comes next: “I’m saving a little for our next interview!”
Your first try, in one minute.
You know what to say; now it’s time to practice. Your attempts stay private: start again as many times as you like, and only share your link when you are ready.
Depending on your background
What makes you credible.
- Foreign languages. Fluent in German? Say it in German.
- Career plans. Even if they are still vague, they matter to the company you are meeting.
- Specific skills. IT, project management, certifications.
- A standout experience. “At 20, I co-organized a student sports event with 2,500 participants.”
- Professional expertise. “Fifteen years in the food industry, in a variety of roles.”
To say more about yourself
What sets you apart.
- Your values, what drives you, and what gets you up in the morning.
- Your personality, what people say about you, illustrated by a fact.
- Your passions and commitments: a volunteer commitment often says more than a line on a CV.
- Your expectations: autonomy, management style, type of company (large group, SME, start-up).
- Your constraints, if you wish: caregiving responsibilities, remote work, no flying. It is not necessarily a problem.
- A success or a failure that helped you grow.
Depending on your situation
Adapt your pitch to your goal.
- Students. Education, the contract you are aiming for (internship, work-study, first job), dates and mobility, then what drives you. One well-built minute is enough.
- Career change or return to work. Tell your story differently: transferable skills, perspective, the reason for the change. Experience is heard better than it is read.
- Over 50. Highlight your expertise and maturity: video helps overcome age bias, as it did for Guy, hired at 53.
- Project leaders. Clear delivery, conviction, the ability to explain your project: the jury is looking for the person behind the application.
On the recruiter side, the message is consistent: sincerity and authenticity are the key to a successful 2’MAX, far more than technical perfection.
Create your profile in three steps.
Try without pressure.
Record several versions, on your own, with your notes on screen.
Choose your take.
You can always update it without changing your link.
Share the link.
By email, on LinkedIn, in a PDF or as a QR code on your CV.
Getting noticed by recruiters
Share your 2’MAX everywhere.
Careful: if you don’t send it to anyone, no one will see it.
- The link, to send by email or paste into an application form.
- A PDF generated by the platform, which replaces the cover letter.
- LinkedIn: share your link directly on your profile.
- The QR code on your CV, made clickable so it can be read on a computer.
- Direct access for recruiters: as soon as their professional account is validated, they open your 2’MAX with no code to enter.
Your 2’MAX on LinkedIn.
Find out how to put the link to your 2 Minutes Max video right on your LinkedIn profile to catch recruiters’ attention!
In this tutorial, we show you step by step how to add the link to your account (in the “Featured” section) so it is always visible. It’s the ideal way to turn a standard LinkedIn profile into a lively, human profile that people remember!
“I believe the perfect 2’MAX doesn’t exist. You can redo it as many times as you like.”
Resources
To practice.
- Online training, free: guided notes, a timer and a teleprompter to prepare your 2’MAX.
- A technical issue? Write to us at hello@2minutesmax.com.
Your questions about video pitching
How long should my 2’MAX be?
From 30 seconds to 2 minutes maximum. There is no need to fill the full 2 minutes: a clear one-minute pitch beats a diluted speech. Keep about 10 seconds for your conclusion.
Do I need to memorize a script?
No. Jot down a few keywords that sound like you: they appear on screen while you record, like a teleprompter. Recruiters are looking for a person, not a recitation.
Can I redo my video after sending it?
Yes, as many times as you like. The link and the QR code stay the same: whoever you sent it to always sees the latest version. You can also deactivate your profile at any time.
I don’t have any experience yet: what should I talk about?
Your education, the job or contract you are aiming for, your project, your values, your passions or a volunteer commitment. These are often what make people want to meet you.
Can I make a version in another language?
Yes. You can slip a sentence in a foreign language into your 2’MAX or, with Premium, create a profile entirely in English among your 4 profiles.
Your turn.
Free, confidential, ready in a few minutes.