Introduction
For this project we will begin to develop the skills needed for your professional practice, we will look at pitching and presenting to clients, developing interview skills and techniques, developing your own CV, and covering letter and researching your chosen creative industry.
You will be required to pitch and present in teams on chosen themes or subjects to the lecturers and your own peers. Formative feedback will be given on the presentations and the use of presentation and pitching and communication of that content. Some of the presentations will be developed in PowerPoint, while others you will be given freedom of choice to utilise any means that you think as a team is suitable.
Preparing for Pitching and Presenting
Always do the ground work. who is the client/company.
Preparation and resources. Do you need to use a computer to present? Will you need a projector? Will you need to print out handouts for the client?
Have a start, middle and end to the presentation.
Practice your presentation on friends and family or even a mirror! If you have only been given a certain amount of time to present, then make sure your presentation is within the time limit.
keep to the main presentation content, and don't start talking about something that is not relevant, remember you may only have a certain amount of time to get your point across.
Be prepared to stop your presentation if required, to answer any questions from the audience.
If you have developed your presentation in PowerPoint, keep to bullet points of the key facts that you want to communicate. do not fill the slides with lots of text. If possible try to keep it visual.
Once you have finished, thank your audience for listening, and ask if there are any questions, there usually are!
Developing your first presentation using PowerPoint
If you have never used PowerPoint before, below is a video introduction to using the software.
Develop a Team Presentation
You are required to create a team of three to four people from your year group, and pick a team name. In your team you will be given a topic chosen by the lecturer, that you will need to research and develop a PowerPoint presentation. each person in your team must present for one minute. you may also produce handouts if you wish.
At the end of the presentation you will receive formative feedback to your team on the presentation, we will be looking for: structure of the presentation, does the presentation communicate the information in a logical narrative. Quality of the Powerpoint layout and content used. Is the information informative and delivered in an interesting stimulating way. How does the team interact and present to the audience.
Getting Ready For the Interview
Before The Interview
Be aware that the interviewer might well have done a web search on your name.
Might this reveal some information not in your application that could be raised at the interview? How would you handle this?
Do a web search on the names of your interviewers
If you have been given this information (if you haven't, you might like to ask for it in advance). This might enable you to show at the interview that you've done some research and enable you to shape your answers to the interests of the interviewer(s).
The key to a good interview itself is good preparation:
Research thoroughly the industry or sector, the company or organisation and the particular job, making particular use of the annual report & accounts, the web site, Facebook page or Twitter feed, and current newspaper articles.
Prepare an informal opening and closing statement that emphasises why you want the job and why you think you are particularly well qualified to be chosen.
On the day before the interview, read your application form again
since many of the interview questions are likely to draw on the content of your application and you need to remember what you have written and think about what might be raised as a result.
The Interview Day
Dress smartly
Even if the dress code is casual for the organisation concerned, it always pays to be smart for the actual interview process.
Be in good time
Try to identify a local café so that, if you are really early, you can go for a drink and take a last look at your notes.
Switch off your mobile
It may seem obvious, but switch off your mobile or anything else (such as a digital watch) that might make a noise.
As you are introduced to the interviewers
Shake their hand firmly, look them in the eyes, and say that you are pleased to meet them. These first few seconds are so important in creating a favourable impression. Remember: you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
Answer the questions in a confident, firm voice.
Don't mumble or rush or be too hesitant.
Answers should not be one word or one sentence, but equally should not go on too long
If you have a lot to say, having made the main points, you could finish by saying: "I could expand upon that, if you wish".
Don't self-deprecate
You don't need to say things like: "I'm nervous/rambling/guessing/making this up." You are there to highlight your strengths, not advertise your weaknesses.
The opening question
Almost certainly, the opening question will be a general one along the lines of: "Will you tell us why you applied for this job, You should be ready for this question by having mentally prepared a short statement that provides the three or four key points in your favour.
Above all, show some enthusiasm and keenness for the job
However calculated the questions and however sophisticated the marking of the answers, most interviewers eventually make the final decision based on the overall impression and nothing makes a better impression than a positive attitude.
Further Information on Interview Skills
Developing a CV
What is a CV?
The term 'Curriculum Vitae', commonly abbreviated to CV, can be literally translated as 'course of life'. Sometimes referred to as a résumé, it's a summary of your career history that is often the first phase in getting yourself noticed by potential employers.
Why CVs are requested
When employers have a vacancy they need to fill they will put together a person specification; a list of the skills and experience they want the ideal candidate to possess. From this list, the job advert is created, which is where they will ask you to send them your CV.
How closely your CV matches the person specification is the key factor in determining whether they see you as a suitable person to join their company.
What to include on your CV
Your personal details.
A personal statement.
Succinct details of your education and training.
Succinct details of your employment history.
Any additional skills you offer.
Relevant personal interests.
Example of a CV Layout created in Microsoft Word
Produce Your Own CV
You are required to create and produce your own CV. begin by gathering all of the relevant information that you will include as shown on the example. Research has shown that an average CV is read for 20 to 30 seconds, so make sure it is brief, but comprehensive. Try to keep to two sides of A4 paper. Keep to a clean layout with a font/type size no larger than 12. Choose a typeface that is legible and easy to read. Make sure you only include Positive actions & phrases. Don't include any pictures/images.
Further Information on Producing your CV
Getting Started: Using Microsoft Word
Ready to start creating your own CV? The link below will take you to video tutorials on using Microsoft Word, If you have never used the software before this is a good place to start.
For your assessment for this activity you will need to submit a paper hard copy of your CV for a fictional job advertisement. The CV needs to be developed and produced in Microsoft Word. We will be looking for legibility of the information, and clarity of content. The content should be informative and relevant to your own acquisition of skills and experience, and targeted towards your fictional Job application. When printing your CV remember the paper quality can also make the final CV feel and look professional, and can add an extra dimension to the final CV.
Producing a Application Letter
The first thing a potential employer sees in your job application is the application letter. This doesn't just support your CV – it's an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and persuade the recruiter to put you through to the next round. Be wary of spending hours on perfecting your CV at the expense of your letter.
Building up a good knowledge of the company and industry helps you to tailor your application letter for each company you apply to, and shows your passion for the job and sector.
There’s a basic format for writing a application letter that you can follow each time, but every letter you write should be tailored to the specific job role or company you’re applying for.
Your application letter should be addressed as any formal letter would be, starting with your address and contact details in the top right hand corner. This is then followed by the address of the company you’re applying for and the date – these are further down and on the left had side.
Example of a application Letter Format
Successful Application Letters Guide
Keep it short
It may seem difficult with so much information to include, but you need to keep your cover letter short and sweet. Recruiters will give each letter about 20 to 30 seconds of their time, so it should be no more than an A4 page – they won’t trawl through ten pages, no matter how experienced and skilled you are.
Don’t just re-write your CV
The point of the letter is to expand upon your CV, not just re-write it – your CV should be attached to accompany your letter. Make sure you pick the most relevant examples and give details of your achievements.
Sign by hand
If you’re sending the letter in the post (old school, we know) then you should sign the letter by hand before you send it off – it adds a personal and more professional touch.
Sending online
Macs and PC’s haven’t quite learnt to work in total harmony yet, and the last thing you want is the recruiter being unable to open your document. Instead save your final letter and CV as a pdf document, (this can be saved within Word) and send it in that format, that way you know they’ll be able to open it.
Proofread
Once you’ve written your letter, check it over for mistakes and perhaps even have someone else read it over too. Recruiters aren’t going to take you seriously if you’ve made silly spelling or grammar mistakes.
Avoid clichés
Each letter should be personal, so avoid clichéd phrases that recruiters have read a thousand times! Don’t just say “I’m a team player”, these buzz words and phrases won’t make you stand out, instead, choose an example of when you worked well in a team and explain what happened and what you achieved.
Be creative
Writing letters doesn’t have to be boring; you can be a bit creative in your approach – especially if you’re going into a creative industry or job role. Play around with layouts and formats; as long as all the important information is in there and the layout isn’t distracting, have fun with it!
Activity Three: Create Your Application Letter
You are required for this activity to develop your own covering letter for a fictional job application. Using the information shown and the basic layout guide as your starting point, you can add your own creativity to the letter to develop and promote your own area of interest within the creative arts industry. The covering letter will form part of the assessment process, and as with the CV we will be looking for relevant information about you and your skills, and why you feel you are the right person for the job you are applying for. Submission of the letter must be in paper hard copy format. Remember, as with the CV think about the quality of the paper you are printing on.
What Is a Blog?
A blog is a frequently updated online personal journal or diary. It is a place to express yourself to the world. A place to share your thoughts and your passions. Really, it’s anything you want it to be. For our purposes we’ll say that a blog is your own website that you are going to update on an ongoing basis. Blog is a short form for the word weblog and the two words are used interchangeably.
Activity Four: Your Creative Industry
For this next activity you are required to research your own creative industry. Whichever course you are now on, from Graphic Design, to Film, Animation and Fashion, we want you to "teach us" about the creative industry you are interested in, and what drives your passion for that industry. Content for example could be your favourite, filmmakers, artists, designers or animators, and why they have inspired or excited you to undertake a course at Plymouth College of Art. What would be your dream job in the industry? Or is it starting your own business? Selling your work?
This part of the project is to develop a blog and a reflective journal on the creative industry you have joined, and why. Try to make your blog stand out visually, by adding images or video of work that you find interesting and informative. We want to learn from you, your perspective on the industry and your own thoughts and aspirations on the subject.
Are there already blogs online about your industry and art? Is the content interesting and informative? This should be the initial starting point of your research.
