Media Arts Placement Scheme: CVs and Covering Letters Andrew Falconer

1. Media Arts Placement Scheme: CVs and Covering LettersAndrew Falconer

2. Why....? Recruitment in Media Sector Your CV: I can do it! Covering Letter: I want it!

3. Recruitment in the Media • Some Graduate Training Schemes – BBC / ITV etc • Sometimes only every second year • No guarantee of a job afterwards • Highly competitive • Formal application process • Internships • Paid schemes through major corporations • Mostly unpaid and legally questionable • Some advertised. Many not. • Also highly competitive

4. Recruitment in the Media • Formal application processes • Online application • Possible online tests • Group Interview • Personal Interview • Group and individual exercises • Mostly • Basic application form • CV and Covering Letter • Telephone interview

5. Media Arts Placement Scheme - Process • To register for the Event • Must submit covering letter and CV • Deadline for registrations – next Tuesday at 12.00pm • Problems registering: careers@rhul.ac.uk before tomorrow • Pitching workshop: Next Tuesday 5.00pm ABS021 • Assessment Day: 16 March

6. What is a CV for ? • Marketing document • Career overview • To show you have the relevant skills, qualities, experience & motivation for the post • To present an accurate and positive picture of yourself • To get an interview!

7. What do I need to know ? • Who is going to read it? • What are they looking for? • Do I have what they need?

8. What are we looking for ?   • Professionalism • Proactivity • Presentation / Pitching skills • Working to a specific brief • Client interaction • Enthusiasm for self development • Self-reflection and awareness • Ability to identify and seize opportunities

9. We will score your application

10. It’s a Package! * To pursue a career in media, you have to sell yourself as a package of relevant skills and experiences • CV and Cover Letter • CV – Presents the facts • Cover Letter – draws in the links

11. The CV – True or False ? • The CV must be at least 3 pages. • Employers like photographs. • You must include your address. • CVs should contain tables and grids. • Careers Advisers proof-read CVs. • Hobbies should only be in the covering letter. • Everyone lies on their CV!

12. 1-2 sides of A4 paper Can use bullet points, underline, bold Can use headings to flag up most relevant experiences No smaller than Font size 11 Keep your format consistent Tenses – Avoid use of first person: “I was team captain.” Grammar & Spelling counts! No such thing as a ‘perfect CV’ Needs to be tailored to each job Put all “Relevant experience” near the top Is a professional document Must have relevant info to provoke an interview SELL YOURSELF!! CV Tips

13. Evidence

14. How can I prove I am a good match? Integrate your skills and evidence wherever most appropriate: • Work Experience – paid / unpaid • Education • Other activities – societies, clubs, memberships etc

15. Skills from your degree: Research:familiarity with various methods Interpretation: the capability to accumulate, select and interpret a wide range of material Organisation:of information in a logical and coherent manner, managing large and diverse quantities of information Presenting: facts, ideas and arguments Communications skills: Both written and verbal Writing: clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines; critical and analytical ability Initiative: an ability to work alone and on own initiative Skills sought by employers: Teamwork Written & verbal Communication Adaptability & flexibility Time Management Motivation, enthusiasm, passion Initiative and proactive Commercial Awareness How to sell your degree….

16. MEDIA CV STRUCTURE Name Career Objective / Profile Relevant Work Experience Education Training / Other qualifications Hobbies / Interests References GENERAL CV STRUCTURE Name & Address Education Key skills Work Experience Additional Skills Interests References CV Structures

17. Achieve Analyse Build Communicate Collaborate Compose Coordinate Establish Experience Implement Lead Manage Motivate Negotiate Participate Research Responsible Strengthen Power Words - Use these active verbs and adverbs to communicate positively.

18. Advice from the Experts

19. What the experts say... Script Programmer • Concise • Clear • Relevance • Research • Examples and evidence • Enthusiasm • Tone Programme Development • extra-curricular proof that they wanted to work in the industry • some indication that they actually watched TV! • stand out in either their personal statements or work experience or interests section • some people would advocate something to really make you stand out - something quirky or creative. 

20. What the experts say... Production “Most importantly – spelling, grammar and overall appearance of document – shows a level of care and education, particularly for office based work.  When working in a time pressured environment I need someone who cares about details.” Script Editor • An interest in the arts • Regular film going • An opinion on what they like and don't like on TV and film • A go-getting attitude • Anything that shows initiative and dynamism - ie filmed a short film, set up a debating society, acted in local am dram • A sense of culture

21. Cover Letters Remember – this is a letter and not a statement. No more than one side of A4 including header. • Intro – Why you are applying – where does the scheme fit into your plans? • Why them? Which companies interest you the most and why? • Why You? What skills and experience do you have to offer? What makes you different from other candidates • End of letter - Please consider my application…

22. 21 March – Central London

23. Careers Service HORTON BUILDING Ground Floor Opening Times: Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm Friday 2pm-5pm Tel: 01784 443 073 Quick Queries: 11am-12noon, 2-4pm Monday to Thursday www.rhul.ac.uk/careerswww.careers.lon.ac.uk andrew.falconer@rhul.ac.uk

24. Media Arts Placement Scheme: CVs and Covering LettersAndrew Falconer