Spot,

As far as I know, the majority of schools havent began the interview process for the next school year. What I am hoping to do is to make an unique impression by sending video resumes to all of the schools in the counties I am interested in teaching (roughly 50+ schools.) Hopefully if I do it right, I will leave a well enough impression that Im the first person that comes to mind when a position become open.

Im tryign to figure out a way to incoporate some fo the web design stuff into the video to show some of the things I am capable of teaching their students.

My $.02

I'm looking at this from a film department perspective. Although I teach at a public charter school, I work in the film department which runs a bit differently than the traditional ed side.

First of all, seeing how busy the interviewing process is already at the school, even with a cap of 450 students next year, they are going nuts with resumes. I can honestly say that those going through them would not be interested in taking the time to sit down and plunk one into the computer. They run down them, look at qualifications and schedule an interview.

On the film side, we have recieved at least a couple of hundred resumes. Many of these include porfolio reels and we do look at those. We want to see what people are capable of doing / teaching. The reels show current / past work. No talking head interview of the submittee but just a film "resume" on DVD.

Personally, I would stick to the traditional format. You can try sending out a few vids, but the standard resume with phone call follow up seems the best idea to me.

One benefit to the video resume is they can see and hear you. Get to know your personality. We've had plenty of paper resume's and when it came to interviews, realized we were dealing with some nut cases.

Like Spot said, if you do it, keep it short. Basic information. Don't get personal. Even though we're supposed to be in a PC and equal opportunity country, there are certain things that are just no, no's in presentation. Best rule of thumb is to give them a reason to come back to you to ask for more information. Don't give it all away at once.

Good luck.

Mike

I definitely agree with Spot... short and sweet - two minutes - too much.

OK that out of the way...
I feel in some way (through a year of reading many of your innermost thoughts... well...
1 - the medium (your videotape) IS the message (what you want to say )

- and more important - Suggesting, Leading or even FORCING your intended audience to give you what you Want (in this case - a Job)!

So don't put me to sleep with some lame-o interview (now P. Masters - I remember when you were AcidSex - you've got the thick skin it takes to succeed, and the imagination to take this letter and fly! I know you won't be insulted by that comment - save us all a lot of grief and back me up here.... or if I'm wrong - I apologize in advance - this is love, man...

Start with something to make us all proud! Some hot music (ACID trax anyone) and then some quick cuts of....??? children? kid sports?? (soccer, baseball... whatever..) definitely kids with cameras in hand and you in the background teaching them... [no voice yet p.]
now some graphics - bold symbols ( but all POSITIVE in nature... no car wrecks) - lift free stuff off the web - Vegas takes Flash and it looks great -
with some headlines?? TEACHER SHORTAGE / MEDIA MOVES FORWARD /; KIDS AND COMPUTERS / TECHNIQUE AND TALENT - make some of your own -
music builds - cut to black screen - total silence - a voice (your voice) in the darkness - "I've been teaching media for 10 years, etc. (your biggest credit here)... "
fade from black to your best friend "He's a really great guy"... to your wife, looking off-camera in a low voice, like in the middle of a 20 minute interview, " oh we've been together over 47 years (or whatever)... one of your kids (or a neighbor's kid - USE A CUTE ONE! "He's great".

Cut to black card with your name, telephone number, website - NOTHING ELSE - 10 seconds...
PROFESSIONAL VOICE: Patrick Masters - available...
mortise up your SMILING face in corner of screen... P.Masters, ".available.. and VERY interested".
==================================
That is guaranteed to get you an interview.
I'll help, if you want - by email...
vicmilt@interpubco.com

You GO guy!!
v

Vicmilt - I don't mean to be, well, falling all overmyself, but that was incredible - I think you just might be a genious. Now that that's done. Anyway - how long have you been doing this?

Dave

I've hired more than 100 professionals in my career, and I am in complete agreement with "V". A talking head will not show how incredibly creative and diverse you are - qualities they will want. I also think that even though they will be very busy handling loads of applications, if yours is the ONLY one that comes as a video, they will be seduced/tempted into watching it. It will be unique. Also in agreement with "V", I think it is a MUST to show you in "your environment" - in other words, doing things you would do in the role for which you are applying. Love the "relevant headline" suggestion, too. Finally, making it exciting will help convince them that you will create an exciting learning environment (i.e., a SUCCESSFUL learning envrironment) for the kids. The one place I disagree with "V" is the length. I think 10 seconds is too short (maybe he was kidding?). Good luck!

JCG

Vic, love the suggestion. One question though, do you think it would have the same effect for a teaching job for business or computer science? Unfortunately, its not a job for Video Editing. I totally love your idea though. :)

P.Masters and anybody else that's interested in communicating -

Look - video is the most compelling medium in the world.

You have the brains and the guts to make something interesting and capativating - and with Vegas and basically any DV camera, you have the tools that we would have Killed for 20 years ago, and that we did Pay For only 10 years ago.

Decide who your viewing audience is.
Figure out what THEIR problem is.
Present yourself as the solution to their problem.
Make it fun. Keep it short. Do it.

If you'd like to see these principals in action:
Turn on your TV set.
Wait for a commercial - sit quietly - watch - learn from the experts.
Whether it's toothpaste, automobiles, heartburn or investing advice - you will see it time and time again.
Problem>>Solution
Problem??Solution
Problem@#$%^&%#!!! >> solution

You can do the same thing - most other people can't.
Go !
:>))

Hey Vic,

What's a mortise in terms of video?

I'm assuming it's cookie cutter/ or PIP effect.

a mortise is a cutout (a small box) with (generally) a product or a talking head inside it.

We use these all the time as "buttons" for the end of a commercial or sales video.

Some that I've used:
Beautiful girl: "Food & Wine... it's all about taste"
Airman saluting (in mortise): "Aim High - Air Force"
Product shot: Roach Motel: "Bugs check in, but they don't check out!"

and, of course, the soon to be created P.Masters "I want a job" video:
"I'm available... and I'm interested"

v.

I sat down earlier and did a rough draft of how I want it to play out. Going to get some work lights from Walmart or Home Depot tomorrow and try a little green screen work. Im going to give this a shot using a little JVC520U and see how it comes out. I was going to capture it with FX1 but my friend is out of town this week location scouting for his project.

Vic, should I personalize the videos like including the school's name when expressing my interest so it doesnt come off as me sending a bunch of videos to a different schools which may dminish my chances? My thought is that if I personalize it, then they will feel like their school is the one I want to work at.

Thanks.

The first thing that I thought of when I saw that was the old-time cameo photographs.

Vic wrote: "Decide who your viewing audience is.
Figure out what THEIR problem is.
Present yourself as the solution to their problem.
Make it fun. Keep it short. Do it."

Might I suggest 4 telephone interviews to 4 recruiters/interviewers. Ask them what their biggest problem is. Briefly tell them your idea for a video resume and ask them how to tempt them to view it.

I think you'll have a good idea, even after just 4 interviews, how you need to approach it. Basic marketing research.

Good luck, Patrick.

Pierre

P.Masters -
If you have the time to personalize the video - I'd say, "Absolutely"... but not if it's going to stop or limit you from actually DOING the video.

Let me expand on this a little - btw - this is more philosophy than technique.

In my career, I have met Many super-talented people who never got a good shot (at getting video/film/still work) because they allowed themselves to get so entirely wrapped in the details of production, that they NEVER FINISHED the project - "I'm still working on my portfolio (stills)" or "Yeah, we're recutting the video - it's still not quite right", or "Oh, we've got to remix it, one more time... or fluff the color just a little better".

I say, beware of this trap -
One of the really great art directors I once worked for, put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Victor - you can ALWAY recut the video - to make it a little better - it's time to stop".
And Picasso (the artist) said, "I never finish a painting - I simply abandon it to start another".

So....
personalize - YES
ditz around and never finish your project - NO

but here's what I've done, in similar situations.
Design your video with a "doughnut" - that's a hole somewhere in the video purposely designed to insert your (very short) personalized message.

Maybe a close-up of your face, smiling in a good natured way and saying, "Michigan weather is GREAT this time of the year" or "Florida beaches are the best for swimming" - notice that these personalizations are NOT school or job specific. Now this is just my sense of it, but I think if you put direct quotes like "And I'll really be happy working at XYZ tech", it sort of panders too much to the school or job. A subtle but direct reference plays much better to me - clearly you've "personalized" it (you ain't sending "great florida beach comments to Santa Monica", but not in a way that grovels too much. Your personalization should put a smile on your clients face and get him nodding, "Yes... yes...."

Now (and this is important - see above about getting "lost" in the production) -
1. Make that doughnut so simple (in design) that you can pop out, shoot it, insert it and send out the video THIS AFTERNOON.
and
2. Make a "safety" video with the doughnut already filled, with a similar generic comment, so there is NO EXCUSE for not mailing your sample, immediately, today, right now.

The video - the doughnut - the fast cuts, music and general concepts - that's the SHOW part.
Getting it done (on time) - getting it out - getting it seen - that's the BUSINESS part.

Can't wait to see what you come up with. Here's how to proceed.
1 - Make an outline of what you think you will shoot. (1 hour)
2 - Make a schedule of time required to shoot it (1/2 hour)
3 - Make a list of all necessary personnel (crew, talent, drivers)
4 - Start shooting ASAP - tomorrow or this weekend.
5 - (This one is very tough) Abandon "Great ideas that don't work out" - sometimes "IT" ain't gonna happen - don't get hung up on details - get on with the shoot.
6 - Start your edit ASAP - not once the shooting is "All Done" - a little bit, every day, not a marathon at the end.
7 - Set yourself a realistic deadline and then gently hold yourself to it. I think you need to get enough sleep to function correctly, but it's important to get the project finished. (If you haven't occasionally spent the night up editing while your significant other is yelling at you to "Come to bed"... well, you haven't lived... :>))
but that shouldn't be a standard way of working.

Philosophy thoughts ended.
v
btw - that "10 seconds" referred to the end card only (which actually is long in a video like this, but allows people see your name sitting there for a while) - I'd keep the total length of the video to about 2 minutes - Two "hot" minutes creams five boring minutes and is WAY easier to produce.

Pmasters, Vic's two minutes is a good intro time because you must catch thier attention,( the first 15 secs can be a killer, so don't be sly). I would suggest a submenu at the end of the intro offering examples, references..., ..etc... Don't forgot the audio track and remember what envirnoment it will be watch/listen to.

Anyone has given good advice, but like Vic said, "just go it!"

Good luck!

I'm sorry to throw cold water on your video resume idea, but having sat on the opposite side of the desk many times, trust me, people that do the actual weeding out of possible prospects (assuming there is a job to begin with, is there?) and surely the people deciding if or not you are asked to come in for an interview don't have the time to look at somebody's mug beggings for a job via video and then insulting me by answering questions that's obviously going to be well practiced.

You know I'm blunt, so don't be offended. Such a stunt would make you look desperate. Is there a serious shortage of teachers in Flordia that even makes your idea remotely possible? If not, many a Tom, Dick and Harry, would like to move to someplace warm. Instead, practice polishing your resume. Sending in some unsolicited video resume UNLESS you're applying for something in a very narrow focus in the visual arts or maybe some job in front of a camera or something like that probably will get you video tossed in the nearest circular file, doubtful it will even be looked at.

Billy,

Your criticism is well noted. However, what I am doing is something that is going to set myself apart from the other hum drums who rely on a nifty resume to make their impression. Naturally I will include a short letter explaining the contents of the CD along with my resume. In today's competitive market place, anything anyone can do to stand out from the crowd of resumes sitting on a desk will give them a leg up.

Do I think it will get me a job? No but it will get me an interview. While it may not dazzle everyone who views it, there will be someone who will be impressed by the idea that someone took enough initiative to seperate themselves from the pack. They will see someone who is creative and determined and that transfers quite well to a classroom and it's students.

Just in two counties that I am interested in have over 125 schools. If I do this for the other 8 counties, something is bound to hit. All it takes is for one to take interest and then Ill have the chance to sell myself. What more can I ask for?

Hey patrick - I'd suggest that you get a nail down or two in there, if you can - you guys can feel free to disagree w/ me on this guys - I could be all wrong. But I've been in sales enought to know that if you can get them saying yes, or nodding their heads, you can get them to bite. (man that sounds kinda shystery, doesn't it :) ) In case you don't know what a nail down is - it's something that you ask or say that get's them to say yes along with you.

VERY basic example being - and you'd like to save money wouldn't you , or - I'm sure you agree that it always helps to save a little cash. etc... etc...

Dave

P.Masters -
If you've got the energy - definitely make the video.

I can't tell you how many jobs I have gotten, exactly that way.

If you were going for a job as an chef or a lawyer, perhaps no one would look or care - but you have an interest in multi-media, so if/when you DO catch the eye of a "hiring person", who is looking for multi-media - man - you are in!

PLUS -
you will learn many things in a production of this kind
and
you will have a ball -
v.

Which is true, but he's looking for a TEACHER'S job. So I'm afraid any unsolicated CD resume sent to school districts for the intent of prospecting for a job they may or may not have while creative, probably won't get noticed.

Far be it for me to tell someone what to do. I'm simply relating experience sitting on the opposite side of the desk. People have always tried to get a leg up on others sending in a resume. So some would use colored paper, others would use fancy parchment or heavy weight paper, others would have them printed up and things like that, all to get noticed. Did it help? No. Like real estate is all location, location, location, a resume is what's on it. Not the color or weight of the paper or if or not you typed it yourself or had it printed up.

Actually sending in a video may hurt more than help. Face it. Everyone has a certain level of built in bias. If the video shows something the potential interviewer doesn't like even his body language, it isn't going to help. On the other hand if you look like Brad Pitt and know your video is going to get looked at by some 30 something single female, hey go for it. The point is you don't know who or if anybody will look at the video or who with or why. I hate to tell ya, but I once had a boss that when looking to hire someone for an opening he would ask what resume's came in today, he would stand there at my desk, shuffle through them, sometimes laughing, something frawn or make other goofy faces. At most he maybe spent 5-10 seconds with each. A waste basket was always handy or he would just say file these away. You know what that measn, they never see the light of day again. So you know where most ended up after this "intensive" 5-10 second review.

Good luck, let us know if the video CD gets you any interviews and hopefully a job offer. I just think you would be better off having some professional resume writing service polish your resume (not the fly by night guys) and spend a couple hundred bucks to make it as good as you can.

I would consider sending a resume a DVD/CDROM combo (since they may not have a DVD player standalone or within their PC.

I would also consider posting it on a website with a link. My wife teachers school and I have created five videos (including a commercial posted at www.vegasusers.com) for her school and the website for the school district "SMART" program (financed by Michael Dell).

I am surprised at how much e-mail they ship around. I send e-mails that contain links to the streaming content samples--they have been able to view these every time. If you can send an e-mail resume with a link it may prove effective. You can often find the schools on the Internet with e-mail addresses to the teachers and administrators (including the department chair's (which I would send an e-mail to to prospect from the bottom up, versus the busy and slow HR department).

Hope this helps.