Video Editor Job Search Tips & Best Practices

From LinkedIn to CareerBuilders to ProductionHub, there are more job sites than ever to find your next career. However, the rise of remote work and freelancing across the video editing profession also means you will likely compete with a more extensive—and worldwide—pool of professionals. But don’t be discouraged by competing with such a large market of talented professionals. Use the following tips to build an honest and polished representation of your skills and experience as a Video Editor. 

Target Jobs with Recent Postings 

One of the benefits and limitations of the Internet is that it serves as a vast archive of everything. Consequently, jobs already filled or with many applications may stay posted online. Before spending time and energy constructing your applications, take a few moments to vet the job opportunity and prioritize it in your job search. If the job has been posted for a while, contact the company to ensure they are still accepting applications. Even if the job is still available, be aware that your application will likely be one of the later ones read by the hiring manager. Being an early applicant maximizes the likelihood that the hiring manager will read your application materials at the beginning of the hiring process.

Join Online Video Editing Communities

Community connections are essential in the hiring process. If in-person networking events make you nervous or are not easily accessible in your area, consider joining a professional community online. These communities can help you make connections and better understand the company culture and brand of the organizations in which you aspire to work. These groups can also help you find new leads and avoid jobs that do not pay well or have a toxic company environment. Many job applicants may try to build their own communities, but frequently, there are already thriving communities on forums like Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook. 

Prepare for Your Interview 

Receiving a request for an interview is a significant step toward getting a video editing job. You can take multiple steps before your interview to ensure you leave a good impression. For one, expand on the job application research you conducted. If you have a LinkedIn profile, consider searching and reaching out to your network to see if any of your connections have inside knowledge or experience working at the organization. Developing these connections can provide you with critical insights into the infrastructure and needs of the organization. Also, consult with business review sites like Glassdoor to better understand the organization's strengths and weaknesses from an employee's perspective. 

Use this information to prepare a series of potential responses to the hiring manager’s questions. Mimicking the style and length of a three-minute elevator pitch, consider your identity as an artist, the evolution of your work and style, and why you think your experience prepares you to contribute to the organization. Ensure you are proficient in the software the company most frequently uses and can speak of specific projects you have completed with those programs. You may even want to consult questions that hiring managers tend to ask prospective employees so that you have a better idea of how the interview will be structured and the reasoning behind difficult questions. 

After reviewing the potential questions and considering your answers, prepare questions for the hiring manager. While these questions should probe for the information you are genuinely interested in, they should also convey a thorough understanding of the company and your desire to determine if the position is a good fit. Many applicants inquire about compensation and benefits, potential challenges they’ll encounter, and opportunities for promotion. Preparing thoughtful questions will demonstrate your interest in the organization and your ability to demonstrate excellence under pressure. 

Nail Your Interview 

Finally, after investing time and energy into your application and interview prep, how can you ensure you’ll make a positive, lasting impression during your interview? Most ways are apparent: arrive on time, dress in appropriate business attire, have a positive attitude, and give your answers honestly and with sincerity. Focus on your positive qualities and qualifications rather than lament any gaps in your education or skills. As visual artists, Video Editors should also be ready to talk about the inspiration and technical work behind their past projects. Be prepared to answer questions about your process and the strength of your soft skills, such as working individually or in a group. 

Above all else, listen carefully throughout the interview. While having prepared questions positions you to give meaningful answers, close listening enables you to answer all the parts of the questions asked. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on a question. Doing so demonstrates your desire to fully understand what is being asked before giving a response. The quality of your work has already caught the eye of upper management. Use this interview to demonstrate that their enthusiasm for you is well-laced. 

Research the Compensation of Similar Jobs 

Negotiating salary and benefits can be very stressful, especially when navigating the uncertainty of the job market. Nevertheless, a company should reward you for the services you offer. Before your interview, research the salaries and benefits offered to other professionals in similar positions. During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask the hiring manager what types of compensation are available (bonuses, perks, and time off may offset a lower salary) and factor their answer into whether or not you accept the job when offered. Coming to the negotiation table with facts and figures of similar jobs can ensure that you receive proper payment for the services that you perform for a company.

Show Gratitude 

Job searches require a lot of time and effort, and you may feel burnt out and not inclined to do more than is necessary. But making an extra effort that could set you apart from rival applicants is worthwhile. Find acceptable moments during all parts of the application process to thank those assisting, interviewing, or providing insights. Sending a thank you email after interacting with a hiring manager or potential employer demonstrates your ability to recognize another person’s labor and an additional opportunity to make a good impression. Highlight your enthusiasm for the job and something you appreciated learning during the interview. These small gestures don’t guarantee the job but show your willingness to exceed expectations. And if the choice comes down to you and another applicant, these small gestures can make the difference.

Tip #5: Get Feedback

You are part of a larger community of other video editors, filmmakers, and creative minds. The best way to get the career of your dreams is to turn to your community for guidance and support as you navigate the job market. While many professionals consult colleagues for advice, others depend on the expertise of established professionals in the video editing industry. Certificate programs like Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Certificate or Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate include professional development and mentorship opportunities. Many instructors will review and provide feedback on job search materials. The Video Editor career path may seem daunting, but you can set yourself up for success with Noble Desktop. 

Learn the Skills to Become a Video Editor at Noble Desktop

Are you excited to begin your video editor career but unsure where to start? Don’t stress! Noble Desktop is here to help! Noble Desktop offers many resources relevant to video editors at each leg of their professional journey. Professionals looking for a road map to entering or building their careers can explore training opportunities and career paths through Noble Desktop’s Learn Video Editing Page. Editors looking for a comprehensive overview of educational and practical training opportunities offered live online and in-person should check out Noble Desktop’s Video Editing Topic Page. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the video editing profession and relevant editing applications that professionals regularly use. 

Video Editors use various professional-grade applications to design and create their projects. But how do you determine which programs to add to your tool kit? Noble Desktop provides a comprehensive archive of learning resources that detail the functionality, level of learning difficulty, and cost of learning different applications. Foundationally, most professionals are well-versed in video editing software such as Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. If you are already established in the field and looking to gain a competitive edge in the job market, consider learning more about motion graphics software like After Effects or 3D animation and modeling through Cinema 4D.

As you explore these sophisticated visual graphics programs, you will likely recognize that learning these intricate programs on your own can be a lonely and complicated process. Luckily, Noble Desktop offers live online and in-person courses for video editors at all stages of their careers. For example, professionals ready to dive into the video editing field may want to enroll in a Premiere Pro Bootcamp or After Effects in a Day course. These fast-paced classes are an excellent way to rapidly build your video editing skills with the guidance of an experienced instructor. Video Editors looking to diversify their portfolios and demonstrate their skills to potential employers can pursue a Video Editing Certificate or a Video Editing and Motion Graphics Certificate. Students gain robust hands-on experience through small class sizes and project-based learning opportunities. Noble Desktop even offers a free retake option so students can refresh their skills and maximize their retention within a year of their class.

Key Takeaways

• Preparing for your interview is critical to success. Take time to research the business, its operations, and its values. 
• Your interviewer will ask if you have any questions at the end of your session. Ensure your questions convey your interest in the company and commitment to fitting into its structure. 
• Research the average compensation rate for your prospective job. Such figures will help you negotiate pay rates and benefits. 
• A quick thank you note can leave a lasting impression on a hiring manager. 
• Noble Desktop offers services to Video Editors at any part of their job search journey. Enroll in a certificate program today to receive individualized training and career counseling.