Video

Audio

Time

Fade in Berkeley logo Up; fade back out

:05

Slow fade in and out of the three candidates. CG: The Interview

Music in. VO: You know you want the job. You know you have the qualifications. But are you ready for [dramatic pause and appropriate music break] the INTERVIEW?

:10/:15

CG: The preparation.

:05/:20

Amber at mirror in bathroom fixing hair and makeup; CG: Amber

Amber IM: I am gonna look soooooooooo perfect for this interview. I really want to show off my assets.

:10/:30

Mike shining his shoes. CG: Mike

Mike IM: Man, I haven’t worn these since my cousin Missy’s wedding. It’s about time I cleaned these up.

:10/:40

Theresa at computer working on resume. CG: Theresa

Theresa IM: Professional objective: to acquire a position in a professional, business environment in which I can learn, grow, and advance.

:10/:50

Amber looking at daytimer.

Amber IM: Interview is at 10… If I leave by 9 that should get me there about 15 minutes early. Perfect.

:10/1:00

Mike at mirror practicing greetings, including handshake. Uses different tones and facial expressions.

Mike: Nice to meet you, Ms. Walters. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Walters. Good morning, Ms. Walters.

:10/1:10

Theresa in closet picking out clothes.

Theresa IM: Hmmmm, the blue suit looks very conservative, but maybe too conservative. The gray one might work better…. Hmmmm.

:10/1:20

Amber placing extra resumes in a folder.

Amber IM: You never know when someone might want an extra copy of the resume.

:05/1:25

Mike reading over references.

Mike IM: Mike has always gotten along well with his classmates, and was very willing to help them on their shop projects… Gotta love that Mr. Spencer from auto shop.

:10/1:35

Theresa on internet.

Theresa IM: Hey, the company is expanding, and just announced it’s opening up a new location in Pennsylvania…

:10/1:45

Amber confidently checking watch and leaving house/apartment

Music in and continue through this section.

:05/1:50

Mike getting into car (would be cool and appropriate to have his car be some retro/restored vehicle)

:05/1:55

Theresa engrossed in company web site on computer, then sees watch/clock and realizes she’s running late. Is seen flying out the door.

:05/2:00

Amber walking briskly and confidently up to building and through the door.

:05/2:05

Mike admiring his car; then turning to walk toward building; cut to walking calmly through the door.

:05/2:10

Theresa running frantically up to building and through the door; cut to her “recomposing” inside building.

:05/2:15

CG: The greeting

:05/2:20

Amber is seated in waiting area showing a lot of leg; when Arlene enters to greet her she stands.

Arlene: Amber? Hello. I’m Arlene Walters. Very nice to meet you in person.
Amber: Good morning, Arlene. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.
Arlene: Thank you, same here. We’ll be meeting in a conference room; this way, please.

:15/2:35

Arlene and Amber seated in conference room. Various face shots both of person speaking and reaction shots. Amber fiddles with her hair every once in a while. Transition effect to next scene.

Arlene: Amber, I’d like to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Amber: Oh, yes. I am a REAL a people person. I’d much rather do things with others than on my own. My friends all say I know more people than anyone. That’s why I’m going to major in Marketing.

:20/2:55

Waiting area. Mike is away from door standing looking at something on the wall. Arlene enters; looks around expecting Mike to be seated. Finally notices Mike and engages him.

Arlene: Hello, are you Mike?
Mike: Oh, yes, sorry. I didn’t see you walk in. I’m Mike. [gets a bit stiff/rehearsed as when practicing earlier] It is nice to meet you, Mr. Walters.
Arlene. Nice to meet you, too. And please, call me Arlene. Let’s walk  to the conference room where we can talk.

:15/3:10

Same basic sequence as prior. Mike takes a somewhat casual posture and adjusts position frequently.

Arlene: What can you tell us about yourself, Mike?
Mike: Well, let’s see. I really like sports, especially baseball. Big Yankees fan. And I work on my car a lot.
Arlene: What about school?
Mike: I’ll be going to school for business administration. Hopefully I can own my own body shop someday.

:15/3:25

Arlene on phone.

Arlene: OK, Paula, I’m ready for the next candidate. [pause] What? She’s not here yet? [frowns and shakes head] Well, just give me a buzz when she shows up, alright? Thanks.

:15/3:40

Fade in clock at 11 am; Fade out; fade in clock at 11:15.

SFX: tick tock tick tock

:05/3:45

Arlene’s phone rings.

SFX: ring.
Arlene: Yes? Ah, ok, I’ll be right down.

:05/3:50

Theresa is standing in waiting area; Arlene enters.

Arlene: Hello. You must be Theresa. I’m Arlene Walters.
Theresa: Yes, very nice to meet you, Arlene. I am soooo sorry about being late. That is so not me. I’m never late. I just got so involved looking at your company web site that I lost track of time.
Arlene [not sure about this]: Well, at least you were late for a good reason. Please, come this way…

:15/4:05

Same as with others. Theresa sits very primly with perfect posture.

Arlene: Please tell us what Theresa is all about.
Theresa: I maintained a solid B average in high school, and I’m going to college for business administration, with a concentration in accounting. I’m actually going to start taking classes this summer to help me get into the swing of college.
Arlene: Do you have an extra—
Theresa: extra copy of my resume? Yes, right here. I also have some references from my teachers and some others.
Arlene: Who are the others?
Theresa: Oh, one is a mother that I used to babysit for; another one is from the pastor at my church. The rest are teachers.

:25/4:30

Black screen; fade CG in and out: The usual questions.

:05/4:35

Same basic video shots.

Arlene: Amber, what would you say is your number-one strength?
Amber: Hmmm…. Let me think. I’d have to say I’m really energetic. Or maybe that I get along so well with people. I mean, like, sociable, you know? And I’m hard working, too. I’m a real hard worker.

:15/4:50

Same

Arlene: Mike, if there was just one word that others could use to describe you, what would it be?
Mike: Ummmm, gee, ahhh, I don’t know… Maybe it would be “decisive.”?
Arlene: Uh, I see. Being the decisive type, did you happen to decide to bring an extra resume today?
Mike [ruffles through folder]: Uh, I thought I had one in here. Let me see. [pulls out wrinkled resume]. Ah, here you go. Oh, and here are some references.
Arlene [looks at resume and references]: Hmm, I see you’ve already done some auto body work.
Mike: Yes, I worked at my uncle’s shop since I was 14.
Arlene: And these are some very nice references; people really seem to like you.

:30/5:20

Same

Arlene: What do you see yourself doing, say, five years from now?
Theresa: Well, I expect to complete my associate degree within two years. Then I’d like to get an entry-level job with a medium-sized accounting firm, and work there while I go on to finish my bachelor’s, and eventually test for my CPA.

:15/5:35

Black screen; fade CG in and out: The other direction. Same type of video shots, starting with Amber.

Arlene: Amber, what questions do you have for us?
Amber: Oh, I don’t want to bother you with silly questions. I just want you to know everything you need to know about me.
Arlene: I see. Could I please have another copy of your resume to show to my boss?
Amber: Oh yes, I have one right here.
Arlene: Good, thank you. [sniffs resume and looks in surprise at Amber]
Amber [smiles and giggles a little]: Yup, it’s scented.
Arlene: And did you bring along any references?
Amber: Oh, no, sorry, I did’t. But I can tell you that all my Avon customers really say good things about me and keep on coming back to me. They like the advice I give them on appropriate hair and makeup.

:30/6:05

Same

Arlene: Are there any questions you have?
Mike: Well, Eileen, I’d be interested in knowing if it’s possible that this position could turn into a permanent, full-time one, not just part time.
Arlene: Uh, it’s Arlene. But, anyway, several of the students we’ve hired part time while they went to school have become some of our best full-time employees. It seems to have worked out well, both for them and for us.
Mike: Cool.

:20/6:25

Same; at end shots of Arlene with slight smile, raised eyebrows.

Arlene: If you have any questions of me, I’d be happy to answer them.
Theresa: Well, I saw on your company web site that you recently expanded operations in Pennsylvania. How has that affected your operations here at the home office?

:10/6:35

Black screen; fade CG in and out: The big question.

:05/6:40

Same type of video shots, starting with Amber.

Arlene: So why should I hire you for this position?
Amber: The first thing I would do is show everybody around the office what I’ve got to offer. I mean, I think my enthusiasm for people will really impress everyone.

:10/6:50

Same video sequence

Arlene: So why should I hire you for this position?
Mike: Well, I think I could show you that I’m a pretty hard worker and, while I don’t usually need a lot of supervision, I am willing to learn new things.

:10/7:00

Same

Arlene: So why should I hire you for this position?
Theresa: As a business major, I feel I can bring a great deal of professionalism to the office, and can demonstrate a good understanding of office operations.

:10/7:10

Three quick cuts of handshakes in lobby.

Music in and continue through this sequence.

:05/7:15

Amber at home hand-writing a thank-you letter, and spraying it with perfume; Mike at computer playing a video game; Theresa typing out thank-you letter on computer.

:10/7:25

Fade to black: CG: Who should get the position?
One at a time, CG of first name and slow motion of each, about 2-3 seconds each. Fade transitions between.
<Berkeley Logo Up>

VO: You’ve seen the candidates. Now, who should get the position?
Amber?
Mike? Or
Theresa?

:10/7:35

Positives

Negatives

Amber

• Is very energetic.
• Interacts well with others.
• Has a good self-concept and has applied that toward an appropriate field.

• Inappropriate dress.
• May be perceived to come on too strong.
• Doesn’t answer “one word” question with one word.
• No questions for interviewers.
• Too cutesy.
• Doesn’t turn off cell phone.
• No references.

Mike

• Very casual, humble, modest, personable, likable.
• Demonstrates thinking ahead by asking a about full-time position.
• Has connected a personal interest with a career possibility.
• Good references.

• May be a bit too casual in appearance and overall delivery.
• Spends too much time on personal interests vs. school and career; not as focused.
• Gets Arlene’s name wrong.
• Unprepared to describe himself in one word.
• Not as organized and prepared as he could be.
• Extra resume and references folded and wrinkled.
• No thank-you letter.

Theresa

• Has well mapped out goals for her future.
• Very professional in appearance.
• Very polite and respectful.
• Is ready with extra resumes.
• Has done research on the company and asks a valid question.

• Presents herself professionally, but not necessarily personably.
• Presentation could be a bit more sincere.
• Might be too strong of an individualist vs. team player.
• Arrives late.
• Quality of references questionable.

Video

Audio

Time

<Berkeley Logo Up>
Fade in super CG: The decision. Fade out.

Music in

:05/7:40

Arlene at desk with notes, resumes, letters, references, etc. Mix of shots. He is hard at work pondering the various candidates and their credentials. Finally he pulls out the evaluation form; writes the candidates names on top. Various shots of him filling out the form. When finished, Arlene smiles and nods.

Arlene IM: Man, this is a lot tougher decision than I thought it would be. They are all good candidates, and interviewed pretty well, but there is just one or two things about each of them that I didn’t care for. I guess the best way for me to decide is to score them on the usual company criteria.

[makes various comments to self] Hmm, that would be a two… she’s definitely a three here… I don’t see her as a strong team player… etc. …ok, let’s add ‘em up and see who the winner is.  OK, we’ve got Amber with 23 points, Mike with 22, and Theresa with…(fade)

:30/8:05

Arlene on phone; Theresa on phone; then off phone doing an obvious “YES!”

Music in and continue.

:10/8:15

Fade in an out in-office shots of madeover candidates:
Amber is dressed more appropriately and is shown talking with four or five smiling coworkers.
Mike is dressed a bit more professionally, has better groomed hair, and is diligently working at desk/computer.
Theresa has a more relaxed hair style, a bit less primly dressed, and is interacting with one coworker and doing a lot of smiling.

Bring in stills of all three candidates before their “makeover,” move them together to the center and blur, then move back unblurred stills of the madeover versions. Fade to black.
<Berkeley Logo Up>

VO: While Theresa was ultimately selected as the winner, all three candidates had both good qualities and bad. Ideally, the real winner is a composite individual with the positive attributes of all three. Even more ideally, today you, yourselves have learned things to do, and not do, in an interview situation. Which can make all of you the real winners.

:20/8:35