Week 4 Project: MultiMedia Video Resume

Video resumes can be used in addition and sometimes in place of a regular resume, depending on the company.  A video resume should be made in such a way as it will stand out from others.

Week 4 Reflection: RISE Self-Evaluation

A self reflection is a chance for us to look back on our projects for the month and critique our work.  Hopefully, we will see our mistakes and learn from them.

My Media Story

This multimedia video assignment has us going through our MCBS journey here at Full Sail.  I've learned a lot and can see the improvement over time in my projects.

Week 4 Reflection: RISE Peer Review

It's important to get constructive critique from others no matter what your endeavor.  This is especially true when it comes to interviewing for a job.  Getting others' reactions to your interview style and responses can give you an idea of how you come across to actual interviewers and allows you to make changes before you interview for a position.  The classmate I'm reviewing is Margaret McDonald

Margaret's Mock Interview

Hi, Margaret

The first thing I noticed was how you presented yourself. I think your look was spot-on. The hairstyle and what I could see of the outfit appeared very professional and you looked well put together.

I was a bit confused about the interviewer’s question about the company. I believe the question was supposed to be asking the interviewee what she knew about the company. Even so, you should never ask what the mission of the company is. You need to know that before you ever walk into the interview. You should know as much about the company as possible. If an interviewer does ask you if you have a question about the company, I suggest thinking of something you might want to know that isn’t easily found on a Google search. Maybe something like, “How many different teams do you have and what are they?” You want to show them that you know how to do your due diligence. Especially since that’s probably what they want to know if they ask you that question.

You have a stiff delivery, but I think you just need to practice. Interviews are nerve-wracking. You have to practice what you want to say until you feel confident with it, which will help you be more natural and fluid in your responses.

You could really elevate your interview with some appropriate stories. You are obviously a writer. Remember, there is only one hard and fast rule in writing and it applies to almost anything else in life, too, including interviews. Show; don’t tell. Instead of telling me you’re hard working, give me an example of how you’re hard working. You probably want to stay away from the clichés of “honest, hard working” and that sort of thing. Being hard working is a good thing, but come up with a stronger way of saying it. Perhaps something like, “I always strive for a personal best in every task I do.” That’s a little awkward phrasing, but you get the idea. Then launch into a story about a time your superiors recognized you for that or where your diligence really paid off for a company you worked for.

Competition for jobs is fierce. One way to give yourself a fighting chance is by making yourself memorable—just make sure it’s in a good way. Giving a grocery list of your strengths and weaknesses doesn’t give them anything to remember you by. You have to give them something that no one else can and that’s your personal experiences. You don’t want them to say, “What did she say her strengths were again?” You want them to say, “Remember that one girl that said she tries for a personal best on everything she does? I really like the idea of that.”

With some practice and a little enthusiasm, I think you can give a great interview. Your video gave me a sense that you are a smart girl. What you need to do is to make sure I KNOW you’re an intelligent, confident, and capable woman.

Week 3 Project: Mock Interview

Interviews aren't as easy as they used to be.  A job seeker has to go in armed with information and ready to impart it well.

I'm to point out my top 3 strengths in the interview and 2 areas that need improvement.

Strengths:

1. I am outgoing and able to talk to people as though I've known them all my life, so I have a good conversational style.   
2. The stories I use are appropriate and interesting.
3. I have good, solid questions that will give me a good idea on what the company and the job is like.

Needs improving:

1. I need to be a little more practiced and know what I want to say a bit better.  I had to look at my notes a bit too much.
2. I talk with my hands like and old Italian grandma.  I probably need to keep my hands a bit less animated.

The assignment:  A mock interview.  The actors:  Me as the interviewer, me as the interviewee.

Week 3 Practice: Interviewing With Examples

A lot of companies use situational questions for interviews.  Knowing some of the stories you might tell before the interview is helpful.

Week 3 Analysis: Company Questions

Interviewers like prospective employees to ask questions at the end of a job interview.  They feel that if an interviewee doesn't care enough to have questions, they don't care enough for the job.  Job seekers should always bring a list of questions to an interview and make sure to ask them--just as long as they don't ask how much it pays or when they will be getting a raise.  Let's stay tasteful.

Questions and reflections:

1.  What kind of challenges could I expect to face in a typical day in this position?

Reflection:  I like to work jobs that not only allow me to stretch my creative wings, but I enjoy being regularly challenged.  If the work is not challenging enough, I can get bored and boredom is a very bad thing for me.  What I'm looking for in this question is to see what kind of challenges are most prevalent in the role and whether or not I will find the day-to-day work interesting.

2.  I know this company handles a number of different kinds of projects.  What kinds of projects would I be working on?

Reflection:  I specifically want to be getting into making video game and/or movie trailers, which I know this company does do.  Asking this will let me know if I will have the opportunity to work on the trailers as part of my regular projects or if I would only be working on commercials and nothing more.  Either way would not mean I would not take the job if offered, but it would shape how I would want my career with them to proceed.

3.  Are the creatives encouraged to be bold and try new things in their projects or does the company have a tried and true formula that they prefer to adhere to?

Reflection:  I don't mind doing formulaic work sometimes, but I prefer a position that allows me to truly stretch myself creatively and formula work isn't usually terribly conducive to such a thing.  I'm looking to discover what kind of a company it is.  Those who don't mind giving their creatives some leeway are usually a lighter, more spontaneous atmosphere in which I thrive.  Companies that like to use the same formula tend to be more subdued, less spontaneous, and might find me a bit more than what they are used to.  As the sixth of six children, I'm used to controlled chaos and prefer a livelier atmosphere when I work.  I get nervous when I have to work in a place that is silent.  I only like the sound of silence when I'm surrounded by mountains; otherwise, I work better with some noise.

4.  Why is this role available?

Reflection:  This is a good way to find out some information about the ability to move upward within the company.  I don't mind starting out at the bottom.  I expect that.  I just don't want to stay on the bottom for a long time.  Once I've learned the job, I want the opportunity to move up.  If there is no place to go, this is probably not the company for me.

If the position is a new one, they are probably a company that is experiencing some healthy growth which makes it a more stable place to work.

5.  What would be your expectations in regard to my performance and skills within the first 12 months?

Reflection:  I'm still learning this new career.  Some companies will hire you out of school, yet expect their newbies to have the knowledge of someone that has been doing the job for years.  Other companies are fine with your level of expertise, but don't want to bother with training you further.  I don't even want to start at a company that has unrealistic goals for their employees, whether they're expecting too much from the new hire or too little.