1. CV’s & Cover Letters (emails) Ben Thompson

2. CV: Key messages Employers spend less than 30 seconds scanning CVs You need to have a number of CV’s for different job roles and industries CV’s must be easy to read, consistent in style and provide all RELEVANT information

3. CV Rules! 1. Don’t recycle for multi purpose use! 2. Maximum 1 side of A4 (if going for runner job) 3. Consistent fonts, text alignment, punctuation - Proof read carefully - absolutely no errors! 4. Call your CV filename: “YOUR NAME – YOUR JOB TITLE – YEAR” - This makes it easy for employers to file/find it! 5. WORD doc (easy to open!) 6. Address to named person 7. Keep your CV up to date

4. What to include? 1. Personal details: Job title Name Address? Telephone number Email address (appropriate name) Type of driving licence DOB? 2.Personal profile / Statement: (2 – 3 lines only!) About Me: I am an experienced runner who has worked on documentaries and factual shows. I am really keen to become a researcher in the future. OR I am a TV & Film production graduate that is just starting in the industry and would love to gain experience in studio and entertainment programmes. I am really keen to become a Production Manager in the future.

5. What to include? 3. Production Experience: DATE - JOB - PROG TITLE – COMPANY – TYPE OF PROG JAN 12 – FEB 12RUNNER – AROUND THE WORLD – ORANGE FILMS STUDIO ENTERTAINMENT Studio runner / people finding research / data entry Cooking programme (List the key roles you did while working on this job) 4.Other work experience / voluntary work: DATES – JOB TITLE – COMPANY – TYPE OF INDUSTRY Brief description of duties – transferable skills

6. What to include? 5. Education, training, qualifications: COURSE – UNIVERSITY – TYPE OF QUALIFICATION Don’t list A levels / or GCSE’s - ONLY courses or industry/training courses that may help you get a job. 6.Skills / Achievements & Other Information: (Under here list any skills / interests that may help you get a job) Clean Drivers Licence (IMPORTANT) Experienced with cameras and sound kit (Z7 / EX3 / 5D / C300 etc…) Can cut on Final Cut and Avid MC IT Skills Languages Scuba diving PADI / Kick Boxing etc… Was a member of the UPSUTV / Radio etc / Clubs at university.... 7.Referees (x2)

7. Cover emails: Key messages Follow the instructions of the job advert at all times Always send a cover email – most jobs ads will request it! Speculative application – find a contact name!

8. Cover emails: Tips 1.Professional, business like format – avoid colloquial language 2.Address to a named person if specified on advert – Not ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ 3.Clear subject – ‘Job reference number or role’ 4.Keep clear, concise, focused, to the point 5.Email usually read before your CV – so just as important as CV 6.Must focus on the job applying for & organisation 7.Make the link between you and the job – reference the job spec details in your message - Reinforces suitability & evidence for this 8.Must be personalised & customised - not recycled!

9. Cover emails: Tips Avoid phrases like… “Passion for film / TV” “Desperate to work in the media industry” “Good team-player” “I make a great cuppa tea” “Will work all hours” Do not try to be funny….it will come across unprofessional Spell Check everything….twice! List your availability dates – especially if you are coming to the end of a current contract Sign off appropriately & formally – just because its an email don’t use “cheers”, “thanks” or ”x” Don’t lie on cover email or CV – you will be found out, the industry is smaller than you think!!!

10. Email/Letter structure 1.Business, formal style, well presented, one-page 2.Appropriate introduction/reason for the contact - response to the job ad or speculative 3.“Why them” - your interest in the job and employer/company 4.“Why you”- emphasise relevant skills, experience, strengths 5.Link your skills & experiences to the Job role / advert 6.Availability - dates 7.Positive ending - inviting/encouraging next step

11. Applications: What not to say!!! Kuriculum Vitay Proven ability to track down and correct erors. I hope to hear from you shorty I am a conscious individual.... I have a desire to work with commuters ‘a full shit system’ instead of ‘a full shift system’ In charge of sock control - instead of 'stock control' Hi, I want 2 get a job with U I have a 100% attendance at work, except for the seven days I have taken off sick Size of employer: about 5’ 10” Here are my qualifications for you to overlook Suspected to graduate early next year

12. Applications: What not to say!!! Am someone who knows my own destiny, but I have no definite long term plans Excellent memory skills, good analytical skills, memory skills I have a criminal record but I am not in jail at the moment Finished eighth in my class of ten I enclose a tea-bag so you can enjoy a cuppa while perusing my form

13. Applications: What not to say!!! Work: Restaurant Skills: Severing customers If called to interview I would like to discuss the salary, pensions and sickness benefits Up until a little while ago I used to compete in British-Eventing competitions on my horse, from which I got a real kick For a PR job - I have a long term interest in pubic relations Cut and pasting and not changing organisation’s name from previous application

14. TV information Services…. Skillset Careers (training)www.skillset.org/careerswww.skillset.org/careers Bectu (freelancers)www.bectu.org.ukwww.bectu.org.uk The Unit List (jobs)www.theunitlist.comwww.theunitlist.com TV Watercooler (forum)www.tvwatercooler.orgwww.tvwatercooler.org Want to work in TV (blog)http://wanttoworkintelevision.comhttp://wanttoworkintelevision.com Creative Toolkit (industry)www.creativetoolkit.orgwww.creativetoolkit.org PACT (trade association)www.pact.co.ukwww.pact.co.uk The Knowledge (contacts/credits) www.theknowledgeonline.comwww.theknowledgeonline.com

15. Film Industry UK film industry very complex! 3 different areas: Not always connected 1.Big budget studio films 2.Low budget British films 3.Micro-budget films (or no budget!)

16. Work in Film – getting started Runners: Production Office or Floor Runners Runners get assigned to each department of a film production Production office leads to PC/PM work Floor running leads to 3 rd /2 nd /1 st AD or other production departments

17. Work in Film – information sources PACT (trade association)www.pact.co.ukwww.pact.co.uk The Knowledge (contacts/credits) www.theknowledgeonline.comwww.theknowledgeonline.com Skillset Careers (training)www.skillset.org/careerswww.skillset.org/careers Screen International (trade press)www.screendaily.comwww.screendaily.com The Production Guild (contacts)www.productionguild.comwww.productionguild.com The BFI (events/funding/news)www.bfi.org.ukwww.bfi.org.uk