B1.4 | BTEC Creative Media

Job application analysis

This already makes me question on why it's so urgently needed and why they needed a new radio presenter so bad

We all have that so it kinda seems like a red flag to include that as "what i will gain"

Shows what they stand for and are looking to achieve to hire someone that is prepared to take on challenges and to be rational in debates or during tense moments, such as heated call-ins.

Indicates that it's a start-up or independent radio show that are merely looking for others to support them during their journey together.

Starts listing marketing skills / social media skils when it is a radio presenter job.

the HR department should be responsible almost all of the time on the new hires or those interested instead of the recruit / hire contacting THEM for a response.

Doesn't make sense to include Internship as it is also said that it's Full-time, Part-time, And contract.

What is it, Is it Full-time, Part-time Or a contract? This leaves other people who want to apply for the job confused.

Start Now

It's also confusing because it say's the contact length is 3 months which almost promises no job security right after, Relak's radio promises that the hire would "become an idol" and grow "in an environment that keeps getting better" when in reality, the 3-month term doesn't match the long term development the ad advertises.

The low salary range also makes me question on why the lower end (£4.30) was included, In my opinion, this is an apprentice-level minimum wage which is a very low rate for someone who would present, produce, script, and run social media. This workload alongside (websites, scripting trailers, commercials, event plans, submit weekly themes) is far more than the pay reflects.

Also, A "quarterly bonus" is hard to value because the contact length is ONLY 3 months. Meaning that the future hire would only go over one segment of the additional pay.

Looks unfinished

I'll be going over the Hilton Job advert that was posted for the Creative Marketing Executive Role.

It already goes straight to the point and talks about the effects of the hospitality industry and how much of a big role it is and how it plays into Hilton as a brand itself.

I think the question i'd ask here is:
- How long will i work during the week
- The posting says "properties". How many hotels would i be covering as the marketing executive and are they all in the same location?
- Is this a new role or a replacement? What did the previous person do well, and what would you want done differently?
- How big is the marketing team?
- How much creativity freedom would i have on content and campgians?
- How does a typical day look like for the marketing team?

Cover Letter For the Creative Marketing Executive Role.

White and Black Simple Professional Resume Cover Letter.jpg

First Mars Interview

Due to time constraints, I was unable to complete the other two drafts during this round. While I’m proud of what I was able to submit, I see this as a valuable opportunity for growth rather than a setback. I plan to dedicate time to developing these drafts further so that I can strengthen my work for the resubmission. Taking the feedback I’ve received into account, I intend to approach them with a clearer plan and more focused effort, and I look forward to presenting a more complete and refined submission in the future.

Feedback i got on my mars interview:

I recently received feedback from my interview with Mars, and it was both encouraging and insightful. The interviewers noted that I presented myself professionally and made a strong first impression. They also commented that I answered each question directly and thoughtfully, while using humor to convey my points in a way that felt genuine and authentic. This approach allowed me to build rapport and keep the conversation engaging without compromising professionalism. I am grateful for the feedback, as it reinforces the value of balancing preparation and polish with a natural, personable communication style.

Interview Do's and Dont's

Do:

Research the company’s products, recent news, and culture beforehand
Match your experience to the key requirements in the job description
Arrive 10 minutes early (or log in 5 minutes early for virtual)
Make eye contact, smile, and listen carefully before answering
Give specific examples with measurable results
Prepare thoughtful questions, like “What does success look like in the first year?”
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours that references something specific from the conversation

Don’t:
8. Ramble: keep answers to about 1-2 minutes
9. Lie or exaggerate; it usually surfaces in follow-ups or reference checks
10. Check your phone or look distracted
11. Give vague answers like “I’m a hard worker” without proof
12. Bring up salary or perks first, unless they ask
13. Ask questions easily answered by the company’s website

"If you could redesign the colour of the sky for a day, what would you pick and why?"

Unexpected interview video:

You framed yourself well: centered, close to the camera, sitting upright and steady, in a clean dark polo against a tidy background with decent lighting, which comes across as composed and professional. To improve, let more expression show (a brief smile or nod, since your face stays quite serious throughout), look at the camera lens rather than the screen at key moments, move the camera so the bed in the corner is out of frame, and put a light source in front of you so your face isn’t slightly shadowed.

"Walk me through how you’d plan a social media campaign for a product launch with a small budget."

Realistic Interview Video:

I did not have enough time to get feedback on my practice interview before submitting it, so the video does not reflect the level I can reach with proper preparation. For my resubmission, I would apply feedback and show real growth, since the purpose of this exercise is to learn and improve.

Job interview potential questions / notes

1. Tell me about yourself

My name is Humaid Almazrouei, and I am a Year 13 BTEC Creative Media student with a strong interest in pursuing a career in media. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to creative work, whether that means coming up with ideas, designing, or finding new ways to tell a story. Studying Creative Media has given me the chance to turn that interest into practical skills, and I am eager to keep developing them in a professional setting.

2. Why do you want to work or study with us, and why this role?

I am keen to take on this role because I want to gain practical experience in a professional environment and develop my skills further. The position is a strong fit for what I want to achieve in the future, as it would allow me to apply what I have learned through my studies and contribute my own ideas. I am eager to learn from experienced people and grow into a stronger candidate for a long-term career in the industry.

3. What are your biggest strengths, and what’s one weakness you’re working on?

My biggest strength is my imagination. I have a clear vision in my head when I start a project, and I draw on a wide range of source material to inform and develop my ideas. I also have a strong memory, particularly for creative references and ideas, which means inspiration stays with me and I can return to it when I need it. One weakness I am working on is my time management. I am actively trying to improve it by building more discipline and developing better habits, so that I can balance deadlines more effectively.

4. Describe a time you worked in a team. What was your role and what was the outcome?

One time I worked in a team was as a marketing intern, and the following year I was hired as a junior marketing specialist. In both roles, I handled content creation, research, and social media. Working alongside others showed me how much more a team can achieve when everyone pulls together. The experience taught me a great deal about collaboration and about delivering what is needed in a fast-paced workplace, and those are skills I continue to build on.

5. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge or made a mistake. How did you handle it?

One challenge I faced was managing more than 7,000 entries for a World Cup giveaway. With the tournament underway and everything moving quickly, I fell behind and was late with my work when it was due. To get back on track, I worked extra hours and asked a teammate to help me, which allowed us to complete everything accurately. The experience taught me the importance of planning ahead, and in future I would set earlier internal deadlines so that I stay ahead of the workload rather than catching up.

6. How do you manage your time when you have several deadlines at once?

I manage my time by planning ahead and scheduling my tasks. I write out how each one can fit into my day, and at the start of each week I create a mind map of everything I have scheduled so I can see my priorities and deadlines clearly. When deadlines clash, I commit my full focus to the work and prioritise whichever task is due first or matters most, then move on to the next from there. This helps me stay organised, avoid last-minute pressure, and make sure my work is completed on time.

7. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself running my own creative agency, helping brands develop their identity, ideas, and creative direction. I am also interested in building businesses of my own, with creativity at the centre of everything I do. This role would be a strong step toward that goal, as it would give me the industry experience and skills I need to lead a team and deliver work that makes a real impact.

8. How do you respond to feedback or criticism?

I was not always comfortable receiving feedback, and it took me some time to get used to it. Over the past two years of studying media, I have become far more accustomed to it and now actively apply it to my work. I see all feedback as valuable, because it helps me improve and strengthens the quality of everything I produce.

9. Which brand do you think markets itself really well, and why?

I think Ordinary Practice, founded by Andrew Sirna, markets itself very well, especially to people who love fashion. Andrew has built a distinctive personal brand as a clothing shop owner, and he is open about it, sharing videos of his process that make the brand feel relatable and approachable. The theme and creative direction are well loved because you can tell they were made by someone who is passionate about fashion. Even the name is thoughtful as it plays on the idea that getting dressed is an ordinary practice we all take part in every day, while the brand treats it with care and intention. That makes the name memorable and ties it directly to what the brand stands for.

Index Cards

Personal Statement First draft.

When I was just a young typical kid, I’ve always had a passion for media studies and film studies. I knew this because I didn't naturally gravitate towards STEM subjects as they were inconsistent with my areas of strength. but was rather more captivated by areas such as graphic design, visual editing and more, especially in my early development. As my appreciation for cinema and the wider media landscape started to take shape. I was always fascinated as to how those two connected and I frequently imagined myself developing similar work to express and actualise this ambition. These experiences enabled me to articulate ideas and explore conceptual approaches, and translate imagination into outcomes. Overtime, this engagement with creativity has become integral to my identity as a student and continues to inform my academic and professional aspirations. I studied BTEC creative media which allowed me to explore a wide range of roles within the creative process to build my skills and understanding of the subject. I gained hands-on experience across different stages of production from directing and planning concepts to filming and post-production editing and so forth. This allowed me to develop a strong foundation in storytelling, visual composition and technical media skills. During sixth form I became more confident in socialising and collaborating with others, especially when working as part of a team on creative projects. Meeting deadlines and managing my time effectively had to become essential for me because I had to balance multiple stages of production. These experiences have strengthened my readiness to study media studies and film studies at university. I have developed practical experience in media through both professional and independent work. As a junior marketing specialist for a cafe, I have been responsible for managing social media, engaging with customers, and contributing to content strategy. Alongside this, I have spent the past eight years as a self-taught video editor, building a strong technical foundation and developing creative and analytical skills. My experience also extends across multiple areas of media production, I have contributed to digital campaigns, and served as Creative Director of my school’s MUN Instagram account, where I was responsible for shaping visual identity. I have also gained insight into the media industry externally. I attended the 1 Billion Summit and that exposed me to industry-level discussions on digital media and global communication, broadening my understanding beyond the classroom. In addition, being selected for a Meta Instagram campaign provided first-hand experience of large-scale content production, including audience targeting and the execution of professional media projects. These combined experiences have given me a well-rounded understanding of how media is created, managed, and distributed to different audiences. They have also strengthened my ability to balance creative and strategic thinking, which I aim to develop further through studying media and film at university.

Personal Statement First draft feedback

Feedback on my personal statement suggests that the opening section is too short and should be expanded: I need to explain why I gravitated toward media and film from a young age and what strengths this revealed, give a concrete example of how cinema and the wider media connect, clarify what I mean by “express and actualise this ambition,” and name the specific experiences that helped me articulate ideas and explore approaches (which may fit better in the second section). The academic section should be the longest, with more detail on relevant BTEC modules and on what I have done outside the classroom, such as TED Talks, podcasts, and books that explore key concepts, along with examples of projects and how they developed my skills, including a more detailed account of time management. The final section was praised for showing extensive engagement with my area of interest, though I should reflect on what I gained from each experience and how it will help in my studies and beyond, as I did with my eight years as a self-taught video editor. Overall, the main advice is to be more specific and explicit, replacing general claims with concrete examples and clearer links to what I learned.

Final personal statement draft

I have had a passion for media and film studies for as long as I can remember, and it began the first time I watched a film: Little Miss Sunshine. It opened my eyes to how a story can be expressed visually, and I began to imagine creating similar work myself. While STEM subjects never matched my strengths, I was naturally captivated by graphic design and visual editing, especially in my early development. I have since put this into practice by editing videos for social media and spending over three years as a marketing specialist and intern, designing content for real audiences. These experiences have enabled me to articulate ideas, explore conceptual approaches and translate imagination into outcomes. Over time, this engagement with creativity has become integral to my identity as a student and continues to inform my academic and professional aspirations. My BTEC in Creative Media allowed me to explore a wide range of roles within the creative process, building both my skills and my understanding of the subject. I gained hands-on experience across every stage of production, from planning concepts and directing to filming and post-production editing, which gave me a strong foundation in storytelling, visual composition and technical media skills. Working through each stage also taught me to research ideas, plan carefully before filming, and reflect critically on my own work so that I could improve it with every project. During sixth form, I became more confident collaborating with others, particularly when working as part of a team on creative projects, where I learned to listen to different ideas, share responsibility and adapt to feedback. Balancing multiple stages of production also made meeting deadlines and managing my time effectively essential, as every project depended on each stage being completed on schedule. Together, these experiences have strengthened my readiness to study media and film studies at university, where I want to build on my practical foundation with deeper theoretical and critical understanding. I have developed practical experience in media through both professional and independent work. As a junior marketing specialist for a cafe, I manage social media, engage with customers and contribute to content strategy. I have also spent eight years as a self-taught video editor, building a strong technical foundation, and served as Creative Director of my school’s MUN Instagram account, where I shaped its visual identity. Externally, attending the 1 Billion Summit exposed me to industry-level discussions on digital media and global communication, and being selected for a Meta Instagram campaign gave me first-hand experience of large-scale content production, including audience targeting. Together, these experiences have given me a well-rounded understanding of how media is created, managed and distributed, and strengthened my ability to balance creative and strategic thinking. At university, I want to move from creating media instinctively to understanding the theory and critical thinking behind it, while collaborating with other creatives and building a stronger portfolio. After graduating, I would like to pursue a career in creative direction combining visual storytelling with an understanding of audiences. University will help me get there by giving me the academic grounding, industry connections and placement opportunities that practical experience alone cannot.