Certify cards

Script writing and story boarding

Preparation

“To make a great film you need three things - the script, the script and the script.”

Alfred Hitchcock

So by now, you know already what you want to say, but here’s another question: how do you want to realise it in a video, with images and sound? This is the moment to imagine your story! Try to see and hear with your mind’s eyes and ears what you want the viewers to see and hear. Before getting cameras and phones out and recording your video CV, you better prepare. It’s good practice to write a script even if it’s just a simple outline. It will help you focus on what’s important and you won’t forget to mention anything. A script or storyboard should be clear to yourself, but also to the viewer. In fact, the viewer should be able to construct the video you have in mind on the basis of your script or storyboard.

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Filming

Execution

“Before you say ‘cut,’ wait five more seconds.”

Wim Wenders

Filming Checklist: audio

Film in a quiet place in order to avoid background noise and interruptions.
Make sure that you’re not talking too fast and that you’re making pauses after each sentence/section.
If you can, use an external microphone

Filming Checklist: video

Film in a bright room.
Avoid filming outdoors.
Put the camera between the source of light and the subject.
Place your subject in the center of the frame, looking directly into the camera, with the eyes on approximately ⅔ of the height of the image.
Leave a little bit of headroom above the top of the head but not too much.
Avoid cluttered backgrounds.
Place your camera at the eye level of the subject.
Use a tripod, or mount the camera to something stable.
Do NOT use the zoom of your mobile phone
Adjust resolution settings of your camera and record in Full HD (1080p)
Sit 0,6-1m away from the camera

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Willingness to listen and understand different points of view

Flexibility

“We all look at the same object in different ways.”

Kehinde Wiley

Listening and trying to understand different opinions and points of view are crucial to ensure effective teamwork. However, this requires a certain level of flexibility and willingness to compromise. Here’s a couple of prompts that might help you demonstrate this skill:

How do you keep an open mind in a workplace?
How do you take criticism?
Even if you disagree with your colleagues are you willing to (for instance) try out their suggestions?
Would you consider yourself tolerant? Why?
Do you consider yourself an fair-minded person? Why?
Are you curious to hear what other people think?

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Empathy

Self-management

“The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding.”

Plato

Claire Cain Miller from The New York Times draws attention to recent research which shows "that empathy makes people better managers and workers, and better family members and friends. But it’s bigger than just its personal effect. We’re all in this together, and researchers say that connection and compassion are crucial to a sustainable and humane future. ". The ability to understand and share the feelings of another is a sought-after skill in all work environments. How do you cultivate empathy? How can you show your prospective employer? Here’s a couple of prompts that might help you get started:

Would you consider yourself empathetic?
Do you find it easy to understand other people’s feelings, emotions and problems?
Do you actively seek to develop empathy? How?(volunteering, reading books …)

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How do you deal with unexpected challenges?

Flexibility

“Life is anything but predictable.”

Dwayne Johnson

Flexibility competence can be demonstrated by discussing how you deal with unexpected situations and answering questions such as:

How do you handle an unexpected situation?
How do you deal with changes in your plans?
Do you find it easy to reorientate yourself when plans change?
Are you prepared the embrace new opportunities or challenges?
How do you prepare yourself for the unexpected?
How do you adapt to meet the needs of a situation or emergency?
How would you rate your ability to adapt to change?
Are you willing/eager/keen to learn new methods, procedures, or techniques?Can you share some examples?

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Strategic thinking

Creativity

“The most reliable way to predict the future is to create it.”

Abraham Lincoln

Creativity + planning = strategic thinking, and if you’re good at it, remember to mention this skill in your video CV!

What are your career goals? Are your ambitions reasonable and in line with the organisation’s/company's goals?
How and if you would change the company/organisation?
How would you contribute to its growth?
Can picture what the organisation could transform into with you?
You could possibly show your prospective employers what it would be like to work with you.

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Self-motivation

Self-management

“You can have all the tools in the world but if you don't genuinely believe in yourself, it's useless.”

Ken Jeong

The ability to stay motivated, even if something goes wrong, is an important and sought-after skill. Here’s a couple of examples that might help you demonstrate this ability:

How do you stay motivated? What inspires you to keep going?
Do you set yourself SMART goals?
Do you practice positive self-talk?
Do you try to surround yourself with positive people?
How do you reward yourself?

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Don’t have professional equipment to film your video?

Execution

“I don't get tripped up in technology. I use technology as a tool.”

Spike Lee

Even if you do not own a camera and professional editing software, there’s plenty of resources that you consider. Here’s a couple of suggestions:

Visit your local library, Community center, youth center or contact NGOs that help people find employment
You can always rent or borrow equipment
Create a video using alternatives (ppt, online open-source tools, Blender, Google slides, iMovie ...)
Remember you do not have to use professional cameras to create a video, you can always record your video with your phone, tablet or your laptop.

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