The times of just submitting a written CV have surpassed and now the interviewer will be searching for deeper detail more instantly. This comes in the form of the PBV (personal branding video), a new up and coming addition. The criteria of a PBV is to take 5 or 6 adjectives from your SWOT analysis, highlight these points, reflect them and show how they manifest and display them creatively in your short two-minute video. This is then submitted with their CV. The purpose is so that your personality and character traits are visible to the interviewer and therefore provides more insight on that specific candidate. The hand in hand provides a lever for that candidate against others that do not.
First, comes the personal SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) exercise. Once these elements have been recognized and understood by the student, then a PBV can be created. Erudito Lycejus in Kaunas has a sophisticated approach to teaching, including critical and lateral thinking and preparation for the real world. The students from an early age are encouraged to embrace a range of soft skills that can be applied throughout life.
These can be utilized for many purposes, internships, college and university submissions and of course careers.
That is why the 9th and 10th graders have been already working on CVs, cover letters, follow up emails and Personal Branding Videos. I am going to share one such example, after completing a course covering a range of soft skills, finalizing in a project of producing their own PBV. The end result, from 9th grade student, Martyna, as you will see is a wonderful portrayal of what we are discussing.
Vs are still essential of course, however, they are the written word of what your skills and education and experience look like. On average and recruiter spends 7 seconds, only 7 seconds screening a CV before deciding to continue with that candidate or not. Therefore, the CV itself has to have its’ ‘WOW’ factor. To supplement this comes into play the role of the PBV. These are being taught and presented in a number of countries currently, and the production and presence are increasing. At this time it is not that common in Lithuania, which is why Erudito Lycejus is working with it’s 9th and 10th graders to get a full understanding, practice and presentation of these now, ahead of that crowd I mentioned earlier.
Even follow up emails, which would take no longer than 10 minutes to create and send are so essential. Why? A staggering 80% of job options and interview continuations are lost at this stage. That illuminates just how critical each of these elements are now in this increasingly competitive environment. The earlier a student can comprehend and get a grip on each aspect and feel confident producing each stage of the process, the more successful their future chances and aspirations are likely to be.