How long should a video cover letter be?

A video cover letter should usually be 60 to 90 seconds unless the employer gives a specific limit. That is long enough to introduce yourself, give one proof point, explain fit, and close without losing focus.

What should I say in a video cover letter?

Use four blocks: your name and target role, the value you bring, one specific achievement, and why the role or firm fits your goals. In consulting, prioritize structured communication and concise evidence over personality performance.

Is a video cover letter the same as a one-way video interview?

No. A video cover letter is usually a short pitch submitted with an application. A one-way video interview is a prompt-based screening step where you answer specific questions. If the firm gives a prompt, answer the prompt first.

Video Cover Letter Guide: 75-Second Script + Examples

A video cover letter is a short recorded introduction that shows how you communicate, why you fit the role, and what one achievement proves you can do the work. For consulting candidates, it should feel like a concise client update: clear opening, structured proof, direct relevance, and no filler.

Use a 60 to 90 second target unless the employer gives a different limit. If this is a one-way video interview, answer the exact question first. If this is an optional video supplement, use the script below.

Video Cover Letter vs One-Way Video Interview

These are often confused, but they are not the same.

Format	What it means	How to prepare
Video cover letter	A short pitch submitted with or after an application	Prepare one tailored 60 to 90 second script
One-way video interview	A recorded response to one or more prompts	Practice structured answers and adapt to the prompt
Live video interview	A real-time conversation with an interviewer	Prepare behavioral stories, fit answers, and case communication

In consulting, a video cover letter can appear in early screening for communication-heavy roles or as part of broader application review. A one-way interview is more likely to ask questions such as "Why this firm?", "Tell me about yourself," or "Describe a time you led a team."

The 75-Second Video Cover Letter Script

Use this structure:

Time	What to say	Goal
0-10 seconds	Name, target role, and one-sentence positioning	Give context immediately
10-30 seconds	Why this role or firm	Show targeted motivation
30-55 seconds	One quantified achievement	Prove the claim
55-70 seconds	What you would bring to the team	Translate proof into role fit
70-75 seconds	Thank you and next step	Close cleanly

Example

Consulting video cover letter script

"Hi, I am Maya Chen, a senior at Michigan applying for the KPMG Advisory internship in Chicago. I am interested in consulting because I like turning messy operational problems into clear decisions, and KPMG's advisory work fits the kind of implementation-focused client work I want to learn.

Last semester I led a four-person student consulting team for a regional food distributor. We analyzed delivery route data, found that 22% of late shipments came from two recurring handoff issues, and recommended a dispatch change that reduced late deliveries by 11% in the pilot.

I would bring that same mix of structured analysis, stakeholder communication, and follow-through to the internship. Thank you for reviewing my application. I would be excited to discuss the role further."

What To Include

Include one strong proof point, not your whole resume. Hiring teams can already read your resume. The video should prove three things:

You can communicate clearly.
You understand the role.
You have one concrete achievement that maps to the job.

For consulting, the proof point should ideally involve analysis, leadership, client or stakeholder communication, or a measurable improvement. If your strongest proof is not business-related, translate it into consulting skills: structure, communication, judgment, teamwork, and follow-through.

Recording Setup

You do not need studio production. You do need clarity.

Element	Minimum standard
Camera	Laptop or phone at eye level
Audio	Quiet room, no background voices
Light	Face lit from the front
Background	Plain, clean, not distracting
Framing	Head and shoulders visible
Notes	Bullet points near the camera, not a full script below the lens

Record three takes, then stop. The goal is polished enough, not perfect. A video that sounds over-rehearsed can hurt you because consulting interviews require natural communication under pressure.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why it hurts
Reading a script word for word	Makes you sound less client-ready
Repeating your resume	Wastes the format
Going past two minutes	Signals weak prioritization
Using a generic "I love problem solving" line	Sounds interchangeable
Overproducing transitions or music	Distracts from communication
Forgetting the firm or role	Makes the pitch feel mass-produced

If you are applying to multiple consulting firms, write a separate script for each firm. The firm-specific sentence should be impossible to copy and paste into another application without sounding wrong.

When The Prompt Is Behavioral

If the video prompt asks a behavioral question, do not use the generic script. Use a compressed STAR answer:

One-sentence context.
Your responsibility.
The decision or action you took.
Measurable result.
One-sentence learning.

For examples, use tell me about yourself in consulting interviews and STAR method for consulting interviews. If the prompt asks why the role, pair this with the why consulting answer guide.

Submission Checklist

Before submitting, check:

File name includes your name and target role.
Video meets the stated time limit.
Audio is clear without headphones rubbing or keyboard noise.
You say the correct firm and role.
You include one quantified proof point.
You close with a simple thank you.
The application version is logged in your tracker.

If you still need to organize firm deadlines and application assets, use the consulting application tracker before recording more versions.

Sources and Further Reading

CaseBasix, video cover letter guide: https://www.casebasix.com/pages/video-cover-letter-guide
Management Consulted, video cover letter: https://managementconsulted.com/video-cover-letter/
My Consulting Offer, consulting cover letters and one-way video context: https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/cover-letter/
Business Insider, video cover letter mistakes: https://www.businessinsider.com/video-cover-letters-how-make-mistakes-avoid-career-experts-2025-4

Video Cover Letter Guide: Script, Examples, and Consulting Tips