Transcript CV*s, Cover Letters & Showreel

CV’s & Cover Letters (emails)
Ben Thompson
CV: Key messages
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Employers spend less than 30 seconds
scanning CVs
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You need to have a number of CV’s for
different job roles and industries
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CV’s must be easy to read, consistent in style
and provide all RELEVANT information
CV Rules!
1.
Don’t recycle for multi purpose use!
2.
Maximum 1 side of A4 (if going for runner job)
3.
Consistent fonts, text alignment, punctuation - Proof read
carefully - absolutely no errors!
4.
Call your CV filename: “YOUR NAME – YOUR JOB TITLE – YEAR” This makes it easy for employers to file/find it!
5.
WORD doc (easy to open!)
6.
Address to named person
7.
Keep your CV up to date
What to include?
1.
Personal details:
Job title
Name
Address?
Telephone number
Email address (appropriate name)
Type of driving licence
DOB?
2.
Personal profile / Statement: (2 – 3 lines only!)
About Me: I am an experienced runner who has worked on documentaries and factual
shows. I am really keen to become a researcher in the future.
OR
I am a TV & Film production graduate that is just starting in the industry and would love to
gain experience in studio and entertainment programmes. I am really keen to become a
Production Manager in the future.
What to include?
3. Production Experience:
DATE - JOB - PROG TITLE – COMPANY – TYPE OF PROG
JAN 12 – FEB 12
4.
RUNNER – AROUND THE WORLD – ORANGE FILMS
STUDIO ENTERTAINMENT
Studio runner / people finding research / data entry
Cooking programme (List the key roles you did while
working on this job)
Other work experience / voluntary work:
DATES – JOB TITLE – COMPANY – TYPE OF INDUSTRY
Brief description of duties – transferable skills
What to include?
5.
Education, training, qualifications:
COURSE – UNIVERSITY – TYPE OF QUALIFICATION
Don’t list A levels / or GCSE’s - ONLY courses or industry/training courses that
may help you get a job.
6.
Skills / Achievements & Other Information:
(Under here list any skills / interests that may help you get a job)
Clean Drivers Licence (IMPORTANT)
Experienced with cameras and sound kit (Z7 / EX3 / 5D / C300 etc…)
Can cut on Final Cut and Avid MC
IT Skills
Languages
Scuba diving PADI / Kick Boxing etc…
Was a member of the UPSUTV / Radio etc / Clubs at university....
7.
Referees (x2)
Cover emails: Key messages
• Follow the instructions of the job advert at all
times
• Always send a cover email – most jobs ads will
request it!
• Speculative application – find a contact name!
Cover emails: Tips
1.
Professional, business like format – avoid colloquial language
2.
Address to a named person if specified on advert – Not ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’
3.
Clear subject – ‘Job reference number or role’
4.
Keep clear, concise, focused, to the point
5.
Email usually read before your CV – so just as important as CV
6.
Must focus on the job applying for & organisation
7.
Make the link between you and the job – reference the job spec details
in your message - Reinforces suitability & evidence for this
8.
Must be personalised & customised - not recycled!
Cover emails: Tips
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Avoid phrases like…
“Passion for film / TV”
“Desperate to work in the media industry”
“Good team-player”
“I make a great cuppa tea”
“Will work all hours”
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Do not try to be funny….it will come across unprofessional
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Spell Check everything….twice!
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List your availability dates – especially if you are coming to the end of a current
contract
•
Sign off appropriately & formally – just because its an email don’t use “cheers”,
“thanks” or ”x”
•
Don’t lie on cover email or CV – you will be found out, the industry is smaller than
you think!!!
Email/Letter structure
1.
Business, formal style, well presented, one-page
2.
Appropriate introduction/reason for the contact - response to the
job ad or speculative
3.
“Why them” - your interest in the job and employer/company
4.
“Why you”- emphasise relevant skills, experience, strengths
5.
Link your skills & experiences to the Job role / advert
6.
Availability - dates
7.
Positive ending - inviting/encouraging next step
Applications: What not to say!!!
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Kuriculum Vitay
Proven ability to track down and correct erors.
I hope to hear from you shorty
I am a conscious individual....
I have a desire to work with commuters
‘a full shit system’ instead of ‘a full shift system’
In charge of sock control - instead of 'stock control'
Hi, I want 2 get a job with U
I have a 100% attendance at work, except for the seven
days I have taken off sick
• Size of employer: about 5’ 10”
• Here are my qualifications for you to overlook
• Suspected to graduate early next year
Applications: What not to say!!!
• Am someone who knows my own destiny, but
I have no definite long term plans
• Excellent memory skills, good analytical skills,
memory skills
• I have a criminal record but I am not in jail at
the moment
• Finished eighth in my class of ten
• I enclose a tea-bag so you can enjoy a cuppa
while perusing my form
Applications: What not to say!!!
• Work: Restaurant Skills: Severing customers
• If called to interview I would like to discuss the
salary, pensions and sickness benefits
• Up until a little while ago I used to compete in
British-Eventing competitions on my horse,
from which I got a real kick
• For a PR job - I have a long term interest in
pubic relations
• Cut and pasting and not changing
organisation’s name from previous application
TV information Services….
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Skillset Careers (training)
www.skillset.org/careers
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Bectu (freelancers)
www.bectu.org.uk
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The Unit List (jobs)
www.theunitlist.com
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TV Watercooler (forum)
www.tvwatercooler.org
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Want to work in TV (blog)
http://wanttoworkintelevision.com
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Creative Toolkit (industry)
www.creativetoolkit.org
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PACT (trade association)
www.pact.co.uk
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The Knowledge (contacts/credits)
www.theknowledgeonline.com
Film Industry
• UK film industry very complex!
3 different areas: Not always connected
1. Big budget studio films
2. Low budget British films
3. Micro-budget films (or no budget!)
Work in Film – getting started
Runners:
• Production Office or Floor Runners
• Runners get assigned to each department of a film
production
• Production office leads to PC/PM work
• Floor running leads to 3rd/2nd/1st AD or other
production departments
Work in Film – information sources
• PACT (trade association)
www.pact.co.uk
• The Knowledge (contacts/credits)
www.theknowledgeonline.com
• Skillset Careers (training)
www.skillset.org/careers
• Screen International (trade press)
www.screendaily.com
• The Production Guild (contacts)
www.productionguild.com
• The BFI (events/funding/news)
www.bfi.org.uk