The best job application, ever

by Robin Grant in News on 14 September 2010 at 14:07 Google+

Recently we received a speculative job inquiry from Graeme Anthony (comms_anarchist) in the form of his ‘C.V.I.V’

As you can see for yourself, it’s possibly the best job application, ever. I’ve shared it here with his permission, as we don’t have any open roles at his level, but you might…

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  • Tamara

    AMAZING! This video makes me smile:) I hope Graeme gets the job!

  • http://twitter.com/wilsondan Dan Wilson

    “The best job application, ever.” But not good enough. Telling

  • Mailmrluke

    Great idea Graeme, very clever stuff. Surely with all the big wigs reading this blog he might get an offer or at least interest from a potential employer?

  • http://wisemansay.co.uk/blog/ Hung Lee

    Outstanding. It would be interesting to see how long Graeme remains on the market after this effort – my guess would be not long at all. We talked about this at length at Wise Man Say last week and came to the conclusion that only the fearless, desperate or damned funny could make a video CV work – looks like Graeme is at least 2 of those 3. Check out the blog post & comments from video CV makers for a 'state of the industry', http://wisemansay.co.uk/2010/09/10/video-cvs/.

    And, obviously, I'm going to be promoting the hell out of this guy's availability. Thanks for the share

    Hung

  • Fleur

    yeh but it's scripted and autocued. anyone can do that if you have a script in front of you. Interviews are about thinking on your feet, problem solving etc.

  • Adetukasi

    Type your comment here.

    90% for creativity which is an essential skill for his chosen career.

  • Sarah Stimson

    Fleur it's a CV not an interview. All (good) CVs are well written and get you through the door, the interview comes next surely?

  • Staceyhartley

    though it was a joke

  • Dawsy

    It is not an interview though is it…It is a presentation….just like you would prepare a keynote. Don't hate, appreciate!

  • http://www.thisisheavy.co.uk Daniel

    Can't believe the hype over Graeme's CV, considering we shot it in my kitchen on an afternoon off!
    Seems to have done the trick though, and I guess it is a good example of modern day pr/social networking.

    http://www.thisisheavy.co.uk

  • http://www.deerbrains.com Steph

    Oh this is brilliant!

  • http://twitter.com/januarylark January Lark Kohli

    ditto with a traditional CV. It's typed, spell checked, re-edited etc before you hand it it.

  • imjustmike

    People still have hotmail email accounts?

  • SISSORHANDS

    Just needs to sort his hair out.

  • http://twitter.com/jopkins Jonathan Hopkins

    I think fair play for effort. But best job application ever? Maybe not. A bit too much hype me thinks over some scripted edited video with YouTube annotations. Sorry G ;-)

  • http://blog.pushon.co.uk Psychobel

    We've worked with Graeme. He actually is genuinely that good. Too good for them Southerners!

  • letsgabba

    And I was on the verge of taking him on before he decided to move down South.

    Seriously, G is as good a bloke as you'd want. Smart, creative and utterly personable

  • Richard Bailey

    Impressive (and good to hear from Graeme having taught him at university some years ago). I didn't even know you could build hyperlinks into video in this way.

  • Jfghia
  • cougarmicrobes

    If he is so good why isnt he working now?

  • http://blog.pushon.co.uk Psychobel

    Cougarmicrobes – Because he decided to move to London with his Mrs, I believe. Fancied a change. He didnt have a job lined up so now he's going about getting the best job he can in a rather impressive way.

  • https://twitter.com/comms_anarchist Graeme Anthony

    Guys, thanks so much for all your feedback and support – greatly appreciated. And a huge thank you to Robin also for throwing me into the spotlight.

    I agree with all your comments, except the hair one of course, and have to admit that this has been an amazing experience. Reading through all of today's reactions, I tend to agree more with my doubters who have quite clearly stated; 'I don't get what all the hype is about'. Because I genuinely don't.

    I knew this would be different, that's why I did it, but not for one second did I believe it would generate this much interest. At its raw foundations I've used YouTube Annotations in a creative manner…no big deal – for me it was the natural choice and most relevant channel to present myself through.

    What is shocking is Robin's and thousands of other peoples reactions – 'the best job application, ever'. Now Robin is one of the globe's most respected social media practitioners and it really does reflect poorly on the creative industry when my CVIV is the best that he's seen. Paul Armstrong also featured it and raised a good point – http://community.prweek.com/blogs/firehose/archive/2010/09/14/just-know-pr-this-is-why-you-are-f-cked.aspx

    Whether I get a job out of this is irrelevant. For me it was about manufacturing something that I had never tried before, gauging its reaction and if successful, implementing it into other areas of my work.

    Like I said, receiving a torrent of support and a handful of opportunities has been superb…but if at least ten people come away from this thinking 'I can do that, in fact – I can do it better'…then I'll be a happy man.

    Remember, an exceptional PR communicator should and does have the natural ability to PR themself. If I can't demonstrate this to future employers…then I'm not much use to them at all.

    I have time to address one question. Cougarmicrobes, there are many different reasons why an individual might be out of work. Personal illness, family bereavement…maybe even their employer has folded during these tough times so your comment is very cynical. Fortunately for me it's neither of those reasons but simply that I've relocated from Manchester to London and didn't fancy the commute.

    Again, thanks to everyone for taking an interest.

  • booyah

    And you need to learn how to spell scissor…

  • agence_tiz

    Very Nice CV ! Great Job !

  • jamesgordonmacintosh

    As someone who was also a recipient of this little effort, I'd join the chorus of applauders and approvers.

    Graeme, you're right, it doesn't do anything particularly revolutionary, it just takes some basic tech (YouTube annotations) and uses them. But mate, it uses them really well and in a really smart way.

    Cute, creative and above all different. Which is a valid lesson for anyone: you don't have to be new or different, but you do have to be smart and above all better.

    This is a sweet idea. You executed it. And did it well.

    Hats off chap … coffee invite is on the email to you!

    J.

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  • ZOK
  • http://twitter.com/StephenTurnock Stephen Turnock

    Excellent job. We will and indeed do see many video profiles of candidates. Myself we have been providing video CV's since 1998 and the days of ISDN systems and a hard slog it is to sell the concept – as not being to replace the interview. Today's platforms, in particular social media will prove huge for video candidate profiles and lately, working on 'job' profiles – where the job talks to prospective candidates. Again not new, many corporates doing just that but mostly the tech savvy ones. Again, well done. you will be working soon!

  • Guest 1

    format might be innovative, content is boring and full of buzz words – not really adding any value from a potential employer's point of view.

  • http://twitter.com/jopkins Jonathan Hopkins

    Nice one G. Good comment. I'm so pleased you came back with this sort of reaction to it all. Robin will love being referred to as “one of the globe's most respected social media practitioners ” too. It's officially a love-in. One thought . . . have you tried a spot of freelancing? Might be an option to get started quickly and suss things out.

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  • http://philcooper.posterous.com/ Phil Cooper

    Brilliant…

  • Guest45

    Agree with guest 1, it catches the eye but since when has the ability to do a big brother video translated to employabilty.

    That said for my next job app, i'm rapping the long version of “Rappers Delight” with a list of my acheivements from Potty training to that sweet volley i scored at the Inland Rev footy tournament, kabooom.

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  • http://twitter.com/reach_hamish Hamish Anderson

    Surely you can appreciate that this, like your CV (Resume) is scripted and designed to present the ebst side of you, PRIOR to an interview?!

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  • Philippa

    Hi Graeme! Why not set up an online CV company making videos for people who need your wit and n/verve to find a job. Let me know if you do as I would love to work for you. Would you like to take a look at my CV?

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  • http://twitter.com/Xavi_izaguirre Xavi izaguirre

    that is just plainly unfair, there are thousand of reasons he could not be working, among many, he would not take anything as many others do out of fear and insecurity….

  • cougarmicrobes

    Though I may have worded my question/statement a bit harshly I believe I asked the question prospecitve employees may well ask and definately a question I have asked when recruiting new staff.

    There may well be thousands of reasons to be out of employment but new employees may well be interested to find out this information.

    As this has been answered by Graeme don't really think there is much to add to this.

  • http://twitter.com/graeme_cole Graeme Cole

    Great Job.. doing Graeme's all over the country proud!

    Great use of YouTube and superb initiative. We need more like you in the industry.

    Graeme

  • guest

    hmm great idea, but too many similar skills. video is beautifully filmed though.

  • http://twitter.com/abovofoto victor aberdeen

    Good luck with this Graeme, it is a good intro but nothing new, not worth the hype really. Call it a show reel and your in the media biz, then all you did was a talking head, I would have taken you to a contextual location appropriate to your PR skills. As most of our heads are interested in vision providing a more visually engaging time should garner an even better reaction.

    Great start; Maybe I'll do one? maybe not? :D

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  • http://twitter.com/ricgalbraith Richard Galbraith

    this: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Hunter+Thompson+brutally+honest+Canadian+request/3606508/story.html is the best job application ever.

    Graeme's is fun though

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