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Teamwork
Teamwork

Collaboration

Teamwork
Teamwork

Collaboration

"It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed."

Charles Darwin

Even if you work mostly independently, there will come a time when you’ll need to work with others. Here’s a couple of questions that might inspire you to highlight excellent teamworking skills:

  • Think of a time when you achieved something that was only possible as a team. What was it?
  • Have you ever joined a project midway? What did you do to blend in quickly? How did you manage to work effectively as a team member?
  • Would you consider yourself a team player? If you would, why?

Empathy
Empathy

Self-management

Empathy
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 …)

Editing
Editing

Execution

Editing
Editing

Execution

“The notion of directing a film is the invention of critics - the whole eloquence of cinema is achieved in the editing room.”

Orson Welles

It is easy to underestimate the amount of work that goes into editing your video. It’s predominantly a technical process, but the creative aspects are crucial to the success of your story. We suggest using WeVideo, which is an online, cloud-based video editing platform that works in web browsers and on mobile devices (Android and iOS) but there are many alternatives. For example:

  • Microsoft Video Editor (FREE in Windows 10)
  • Blender (FREE)
  • iMovie (FREE for iOS)
  • Lightworks (FREE)
It is very important that you make sure you’re not breaching any copyright related regulations. It is safest to use only material that you create yourself, but if you choose to use other images, music or videos, it is always a good idea to check the licensing information and obtain permission where necessary.

Filming
Filming

Execution

Filming
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

Strategic thinking
Strategic thinking

Creativity

Strategic thinking
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.

Won any awards for your creative projects? Remember to mention them!
Won any awards for your creative projects? Remember to mention them!

Creativity

Won any awards for your creative projects? Remember to mention them!
Won any awards for your creative projects? Remember to mention them!

Creativity

“I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either.”

Jack Benny

Remember to mention any awards you’ve won for your work! It might help you stand out as well as highlight your interests and expertise. When talking about awards you’ve won remember to 👇

  • Include the date
  • Mention issuing organisation
  • Identify what you received awards for
  • Prioritise, only mention awards that might be relevant to the position
  • Keep it short and sweet
  • Mention how this recognition is relevant to the position you’re applying for

Dealing with unwanted emotions
Dealing with unwanted emotions

Self-management

Dealing with unwanted emotions
Dealing with unwanted emotions

Self-management

“It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.”

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

We all have bad days but not everyone deals with them in the same way. You can be sure that in any workplace, you will have to deal with other people’s unwanted emotions as well as your own. If you pride yourself on being able to manage your emotions and maintain a healthy and pleasant work environment, you can mention this in your video CV. How? Try answering these questions for starters:

  • How do you deal with unwanted emotions, do you let them get in the way or do you maybe have a strategy how to manage them?
  • How do you manage unwanted emotions?
  • How do you deal with angry/agitated colleagues? Do you let their emotions transfer onto you? Or maybe you have methods/strategies how to calm your colleagues and help them?

Do's
Do's

Review and dissemination

Do's
Do's

Review and dissemination

"We give advice by the bucket, but take it by the grain."

Tom Stoppard

Do:

  1. Get inspiration from online examples
  2. Create a video when it's one of the application requirements
  3. Look professional in front of the camera, wear appropriate clothing
  4. Research the company/position you're applying for
  5. Write a script, prepare notes
  6. Get feedback from your peers, family, friends, co-workers (the more feedback the better)
  7. Show your personality
  8. Showcase relevant skills, expertise
  9. Have fun!