Interview Reflection

Interview Reflection

This is a reflection for my interview I attended for a job as a Camera, Director Editor, at Mendip Media in Bristol.

Before the interview, I had spent numerous hours researching Mendip Media and getting familiar with the equipment they use, what they do and some projects they have recently filmed (more can be found in my interview research blog). I also prepared by getting a haircut to look more professional and boost my confidence and then I grabbed some food. After this, I walked to the reception of the Weston University Campus located at the Weston Winter Gardens and signed in. Then came the anxious wait of reciting through the job specification while I awaited my interview, which I was told was delayed by 15 minutes.

I was then called up by Dan, and the Interview commenced. Throughout the whole thing, I felt strong and in control, I made sure I knew the business I was applying for through and through, I practised tricky situations, if I were struggling, I would take a deep breath and relax myself, which was precisely what I had to do in the heat of the moment, when I was asked about my least confident part of the interview, story-boarding. Then at the end instead of asking if there were any more questions and saying thank you, I proceeded to thank Dan and his colleague Ben, for taking the time to consider me for the position and mentioned how happy I would be if I was to get the job.

So, the feedback. I couldn’t have imagined the interview went as well as it did, especially as I have never been in an interview situation before, so I will start with the positive feedback.

The interview was intense, my answers were to the point and I felt as if I was in control of the situation, this may be because I had prepared myself. The night before I had an early night, just for this, to make sure I was 100% ready when I went in. Dan said I could turn things around when he asked me about my weakness; I began talking about Moonraker VFX; I just kept adding things in. So when Dan was asking about what Mendip Media did, I answered the question then proceeded to start talking about my drone and how I have a licence, he said that a really good skill was backing up each answer I gave, and that made me appreciate how much I knew.

Another thing I did was speak highly of the company, and I put the extra detail in after each question, I answered the question and moved on, I responded to the question then elaborated. Next, I was told my eye contact and use of speech was great, however, for the first 20 seconds of the interview, I did have my arms crossed, which I promptly realised and corrected myself. Ben mentioned that he could tell from my answers what my skillset was, which was editing and a camera/drone operator.

When I was asked about a particular scenario, which for me was, what would you rather do if you were behind on time, make sure every shot is perfect or and go over time or stick to the schedule, of course, I made the comment time is money and both Dan and Ben loved that, I then went on to say how a Director told me this one and its true. I thought that question was probably my favourite to answer.

The last few good things I did, was to keep calm and once again stay confident throughout the whole interview, taking deep breaths after answering a hard section, and my show-reel, I was told it was excellent and industry standard, “it does not look like a college students work” Dan said. My website was also called professional, containing plenty of detail about me and my history as well as all the projects I have worked on in the past.

So, what could have been improved, for my next interview and looking back on this one, firstly I would like to start with the three words to describe myself, I honestly forgot to plan ahead for this section, and ended up stuttering on the spot and saying three similar works, eager, motivated and driven or something along those lines, whereas I should have said, and Dan pointed this out to me, Dedicated, Passionate and Creative and I agree with him, I messed up on that section. I then asked Dan is this a question people usually ask in an interview situation and he said yes, so I will remember to prepare myself for next time.

Next, something that Dan grinded me for was not explaining, was that I got a Distinction for my Music video I guess I thought It was just not needed as I am very confident with all my work, not only that one particular film, however, I should have said, that I received the highest grade possible. I will remember next time.

Next was the section on story boarding; this is where I went into damage control mode, as I am not good at storyboards, I can barely even draw a stick-man, let alone a whole scene frame by frame! so it is safe to say I tripped up on a few hurdles there. I should have explained that during my time at college, I only had one example of story boarding and then go on to explain my experience.

Then finally my last mistake, was dropping off at the end of the interview, I started shortening my answers to get by rather than elaborate and seem interested, Ben said it is quite common in people, only in the future on the last few question recap everything that you have spoken about in detail again and make sure you have left the interviewers with something they will remember for. I think for me, it would probably be all of the work experience I have done, I would then explain some of this at the end of the interview and then possibly ask how I did? Then end the interview, by leaving on a polite and sincere note, thanking the interviewers for considering me for a position in their business.

Overall, they said I smashed it, which was a surprise to me as I honestly thought I did terribly! But looking back and thinking about it, I did sell myself well, I remained calm and In control of the situation and impressed both Dan and Ben, they had to really nit-pick to give me the constructive feedback I needed, I have not yet been told whether I was the one to get the job or not but looking at my overall performance, I would be disappointed if I missed out.

I feel as if I prepared myself well for this project, I had already prepared a professional website months in advance for the meeting and had a show-reel from the summer of 2019, all I had to do was research the company and make sure both my show-reels and website were professional and well built, I sought feedback all of the time and by the time of the interview they could not have been improved. I even dressed well for the meeting I wore my best Levi Jeans and a Levi Shirt, a typical cameraman look I thought; a suit would most definitely be over the top as it is not a desk job I was applying for!

This interview is an experience I will look back on in the future to prepare myself for an actual job interview, perhaps at Icon Films or wherever my future takes me. Hopefully, this evaluation shows how much this module was of value to me and how much effort I put into it.