INTERVIEW IMPROVEMENTS

How Things Are Going

After having spent nearly 6 months with Cinemagic, I am able to reflect on how far it has taken me. Not only was I given a great opportunity to work with a well-known Belfast-based company and contribute edited videography and photography work, which is my intention to do so professionally. But also, to meet industry professionals which inspired me to further my skills in areas they specialised in. A perfect example of this is the Production Designer I worked with. For my final film this year I was the production designer and used some of his helpful tips to make the film that much better. Another victory with Cinemagic is that I am now being given the opportunity to be paid for my work. All in all, I consider this placement a success thus far. However, this success reminded me of previous failures. Such a one was my first interview at a media company.

Photo credit: Lucy Johnston

Interviews of the Past

I have participated in multiple interviews. Sometimes a short casual meeting was all that was required. Other times trial periods and tests were included to make sure I was right for the job. However, when I applied for BNL Productions, it was a case of not even getting an acknowledgment that I was not eligible.

Source: Google Images

The position of a summer placement came to my attention in early May of 2017; however, I did not act on applying to it early enough. I later learned that another applicant was chosen already. However, BNL decided to give me a chance regardless. I was punctual and polite, however, this being my first interview in this context, I was clearly extremely nervous. Even now I can recall the shake of my voice, lack of eye contact, and shrunken and defensive body language.

Beyond this, the other major mistake was that I did not research the company or the position properly. While my resume may have been decent, with experience in live events and music videos, of which BNL specialised in. I showed no real confidence in handling their own camera equipment. Which if any were damaged it would have incurred significant costs to BNL.

And finally, the age-old mistake of not asking questions at the end. I had not even considered this question which certainly showed not only that this was my first interview, but that I had not even researched typical interview structure.

With some Experience…

With the help of further experience and the knowledge of this module, I have full confidence I would have fared much better.

Using again Kolb’s Learning Cycle, I will simulate a new interview with BNL. Step 1 bring observation. Last time, it was a simple failure, and my reflection is that far more could have been done.

That I can use a wide range of software like Excel and PowerPoint as well as the central software like the Adobe suites.[1]

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[1] Jasper, Melanie, Beginning Reflective Practice, UK. (Nelson Thornes, 2003), pg3.

Source: Beginning Reflective Practice, By Melanie Jasper

Step 3 is concept development/theorizing. What could I do? If I was to reapply now, I would have researched the company, knowing details such as when it was founded nearly 15 years ago and that they focus on three main aspects, events, live shows, and traditional pre-recorded film. I would also have familiarised myself with the team, showing forethought and planning to them immediately. To introduce myself, using eye contact and doing away with the shake in the voice.

The 4th step, action would come into play next. As John Martin discusses, there are key aspects that nearly every employer looks for in a new candidate. So, I would have worked to fulfill as many of these as possible. In fact, the first is also a point covered extensively in this very module. That one should sell their skills. I would mention my years of experience in videography and editing and further explain some listed on my CV. That I am sociable and can work well with clients. That I can use a wide range of software like Excel and PowerPoint as well as the central software like the Adobe suites.[1]

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[1] Yate John, Martin, Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions, 10ed, UK, (Kogan Page, 2017), pg15.

as I would work in a compliment or two on a recent showreel they recently uploaded. In addition to talking about mine which I would have previously shared with them. Asking them then a little about the equipment used and what it was like to film a training video. While that is an area I have limited experience with, Charles Gillis firmly expresses to not draw ‘attention to a weaknesses’ as that is something I have limited experience with.

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[1] Gillis, Charles, (2006) “Interview Tips From a Hiring Manager,” Student Lawer, 35(1), pp. 33–33.

Source: YouTube

Finally, by the end of the interview, I would have asked a couple of questions. Their favorite clients? What the salary is like? What do they expect the next year to pan out like. Through each of these questions, BNL will think I’m very serious about a career with BNL.

Reflection and Realisation

All of this information was extremely easy to come by. Either their website and YouTube channel. As I look back at this interview, I am baffled by how easy it was to do and how much better my interview could have been. My interview, as detailed in the previous post with CineMagic was far more successful. Devolving into a more casual conversation with myself and CineMagic CEO Joan Burney Keating and hit things off so well that my application was accepted almost straight away. I had been confident, talked about my experiences, and asked questions. All of which I now no doubt contributed to my success and an example of my skill list from my CineMagic CV submission can be found below.

Source: Author’s Own

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Bibliography

Jasper, Melanie, Beginning Reflective Practice, UK. (Nelson Thornes, 2003), pg3.

Yate John, Martin, Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions, 10ed, UK, (Kogan Page, 2017), pg15.

Gillis, C. (2006) “Interview Tips From a Hiring Manager,” Student Lawer, 35(1), pp. 33–33.

Filmography

Maguire, Adam, Adam Maguire Showreel 2020, YouTube, UK, (January 2020)