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5 lockdown-proof strategies for your job search

4/17/2020

 
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Looking for a job when you can't leave your house and the economy is halted may seem like a contradiction. But surprisingly, there are a few ways you can continue your job search during lockdown. Whether you were looking for a new job before COVID-19, need a new job due to layoffs or cutbacks, or are planning your first-ever job search after graduation next month, here are five strategies you can employ now that will put you ahead of other job seekers when the world opens up again:

1. Decide what's important. When considering what your next job should be, think about what you really want. Is it more pay? More challenging work? A better culture fit? You might know the answer instinctively, but if you don't, take some time to think it through. Write down what you like about your career so far, what you haven't liked, what interests you, and what skills you have. As you write, look for patterns and truths that may not have been apparent before. Are there skills you're sick of using? Do you need to develop a new skill to get into a field that interests you more? Do you love your work but hate your boss? Make a list of the criteria your next job should ideally have, understanding that no job is perfect. Use this to guide your search.

2. Narrow your targets. While you might be open to taking any job that will pay you, you'll actually have an easier time getting hired if you set specific targets for your next role. Make a list of 10-15 companies that match the criteria you selected (or up to 5 types of shows, if you're looking for production roles). Think about what drew you to the industry in the first place and what drives your passion and look for companies that match that. Is there a specific genre or type of content you're into? What do you watch, and how closely do you want your work to relate to your pleasure viewing? Do you have a secondary interest like social justice, politics, marketing, research, criminal justice, education, etc. that you could potentially explore with the right firm? Let this information drive your approach -- it's good to be selective!

3. Build your network. Comb through your LinkedIn and alumni networks to see who you know who either works at your target companies or can introduce you to someone who does. Set up Google and LinkedIn alerts for those companies' job boards, so you'll get pinged when they are hiring. Tell everyone you know that you're focusing your job search on a specific company or type of organization -- slip it into Zoom happy hours or email closer friends. It's a lot easier for people to help you when you give them a specific request, like, "Do you know anyone who works at Hulu in development?" as opposed to "I'd love to be a development coordinator." One begets a "Yes, I'd be happy to connect you," while the other is met with "Cool, I'll keep an ear to the ground." You may not be able to set meetings just yet, but it's good to have a list of targets ready to go for when you're able to get back to in-person networking.

4. Prepare strong application materials. You'll want to apply for jobs as soon as they're posted, especially as the market grows more competitive. Make sure your resume is up-to-date and that it's telling the right story. Look at some job postings in your chosen field, even if they're outdated, and select relevant keywords to include. Since you'll be doing a lot of networking to get your resume into the right hands, you'll also want to make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete, that your summary is up to date and indicates what you're looking for, and that all your jobs match your resume. Of course, we're here to help with this portion of your job search if you want a hand!

5. Practice your interview skills. The best time to prepare for an interview is when you don't have the pressure of one the next day! Now's a great time to develop strong answers to common interview questions, including perfecting short anecdotes you can share to illustrate your strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and accomplishments. Practice your answers out loud in the shower, or even ask the people you're isolating with if they'd be open to conducting a mock interview (People are bored! They really might be willing!). We're also available for virtual mock interviews if you need more extensive feedback.

Most importantly, don't stress about finding a job right now. If you need to focus on the more immediate future, these strategies can still be implemented post-lockdown (and we're proof that they have been!). Whenever you do decide to look for a job, keep in mind that a targeted and strategic approach is always better than applying to 50 jobs a day and hoping for a call. ​

Angela Silak & Cindy Kaplan

Guest Blog: 4 Ways to Thrive in a Survival Job

4/13/2020

 
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This is a guest blog post from our content partner, Backstage.

The majority of creative people I coach start their careers or businesses while working a second “survival” job. A survival job helps pay the bills as you work on developing your acting, singing, or another creative career. Honestly, I prefer the term “freedom job” because when you find the right one, that’s what it provides: the freedom to fulfill your creative function on this planet. However, if your job is inflexible, financially incompatible, or sucking all your energy, something’s gotta give.  

It’s possible to take giant steps toward your creativity and your career while working a freedom job, so it’s worth spending the time to find a good one and work with your employer to make it the best it can be. Remember, your experience coming up as a creative person has trained you to be both personable and professional, making you a great catch for any employer. 

You can thrive at your survival job. Here’s how:

1. Communicate with your boss.
If you’re unhappy at your money gig, take a moment to get really clear about what is dragging you down. First, determine which sucky issue you’re dealing with and then simply go to your boss and ask if there’s any way to address it. You must do a clear-headed, mature, searching, and fearless inventory of your “work-self” before making this ask. Ask yourself the following questions and be honest with your answers: Are you good at your job? Are you always on time? Do you uplift the energy? Do you contribute to the efficiency by creating an atmosphere of problem-solving? Do you make your boss’s life easier? If you answered yes to all of these, it’s a done deal. Go make the ask!

If your boss is open to getting creative to make your work, well, work then fantastic! Get specific about how you’ll be able to serve her better when the job better serves your life. If she says no, also fantastic. You have the answer you need. Now you have to get serious and emotionally sober with yourself and decide your next move.

2. Your freedom job probably won’t be in your chosen creative field, and that’s totally OK. 
Don’t feel bad if your freedom job is in a different field. These jobs take all kinds of forms. You need to earn a living. Financial security breeds spacious, creative thinking and allows you to show up for classes, interviews, auditions, and writing sessions feeling confident, stimulated, and inspired. 

3. Start measuring success with a new quotient that’s not financial.
You’re probably already doing this! Remember that independent film you produced just for the experience? If that very same unpaid student film got into the Tribeca Film Festival, I think you’d be pretty fulfilled regardless of the fact that you didn’t make a dime. You need to be aware of your finances, but don’t let money blind you to other successes.

4. Don’t let your freedom job consume you.
If you can get it together to clock-in on time and smell good for your Saturday night bartending shift, then you can work on your web series or creative portfolio for three hours on your day off. Don’t forget why you decided to take this job in the first place!
​
Find yourself a freedom job -- or celebrate the one you’ve got -- that allows you to make some money, stay focused, and pursue your calling. Honor the very human desire to pay your rent each month and take the occasional vacation!​


--Brian Patacca
This post originally ran on Backstage.com

For over 60 years, Backstage has been the #1 platform for actors and performers. Our casting tools allow performers to manage their careers and help creators and casting directors find top-notch talent, while our magazine and site offer news, advice, and guidance from industry insiders and experts. 

Now is not the time to worry about your entertainment career

4/9/2020

 
At Hollywood Resumes, we obviously value careers -- we know there's a lot of joy and fulfillment in working in a role and industry you love, which is why we love helping our clients prepare the materials they need to secure their dream jobs.

But in times like these, you may need to remind yourself that your career isn't everything.

It's fair to say that most people are facing some work-related challenges right now. To all the essential workers: THANK YOU. We know most of you don't get paid a typical "essential" salary, and we see you, appreciate you, and hope that this cultural shift will lead to greater recognition for the work you're doing. And if your work is considered "non-essential" -- let's dwell on that for a minute. It doesn't mean your work is not important or of no consequence, but the categorization is a good to remember that we work to live, not the other way around. Sometimes, it's okay to put your career on the back burner.

If you find yourself out of a job, you're understandably concerned. After you figure out the fundamentals of how to support yourself and your family, you may start to worry about your long-term career. If fear that your career has been completely derailed starts to creep in, take a deep breath. There's no benefit from worrying about things you can't change. When you're back on the job hunt, hiring managers will understand what happened -- the memory of coronavirus isn't going to fade any time soon. If you need to take a part-time job to pay the bills, don't worry about how it will look on your resume down the road or if it's good for your career -- take the job and pay your bills. If you have other ways to stay solvent, take this time to focus on other areas of life, like connecting with the people you love (from afar), engaging in your hobbies, giving back to your community, and practicing self-care. If having a career plan will help you feel calmer, you can start to research companies and roles that interest you and update your resume, but it's also totally okay if you're not feeling up to it -- the world has, in a sense, pressed pause on "career" right now, so take advantage of the time to focus on other things.

Similarly, if  you're working remotely but have very little to do, or are still getting paid but can't actually "work" remotely, don't sweat it. You don't need to invent projects for yourself or find extreme ways to stay on top of your boss's radar. Everyone understands that certain jobs are slower now, and no one is going to blame you for the downturn. It's okay to do household chores, learn a new skill, binge-watch a show, and have marathon Zoom calls with your pals from college. And certainly, if you are sick or caring for someone who's sick, take the time you need to get better or care for them. You don't want to waste precious moments doing busy work. Save your energy for the things that matter most in life: your health and happiness and that of the people you love.

If your work is piling on and you're feeling up to peak performance, by all means go full steam ahead! But remember that just because you're working from home doesn't mean you're suddenly on call 24/7. You should make an effort to keep to your normal hours. And if you're not feeling up to peak performance, that's understandable, too. Take a close look at the work you're doing: Is there anything that's actually not that important? Would you really be doing every single project you're working on right now if you were back in the office? Make sure you're putting your health (physical and mental) first. Take sick day if you need one. If you're caring for a sick relative or have young children at home and you need to take on more errands/housework than usual, tell your boss. Even if if you're just plain overwhelmed by your proximity to the grimness of illness and death, give yourself a break. If you really think your boss would fire for you not being on your A+ game during a pandemic, it's probably time to question whether you still want to work there. Because now more than ever, career isn't everything.

Your career will still be viable when this pandemic ends. Now's the time to lean in to the more essential aspects of life. Put yourself first, and do what it takes to stay healthy and happy!
​

Professional development opportunities for when you're stuck at home

4/3/2020

 
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You're done bingeing Tiger King -- so what is there left to do when you're confined to your home? Now's a good time to consider professional development opportunities, like taking an online course to build your skills for when the job market picks back up.

If you're hoping to make a career transition, online courses can help boost your resume. Coursera and edX offer a ton of free college courses, where you can learn about topics like marketing, negotiation, computer science, and other fields. LinkedIn Learning also offers a range of courses and suggests classes that may interest you based on your profile. The platform even has software training courses, so you can learn Adobe Creative Suite and other industry-prominent programs. The Los Angeles Public Library also has resources for free courses, including language courses -- we're often told by clients that they wish they could include foreign language proficiency on their resumes -- now's a great time to learn those skills. And if you're willing to spend a bit of money, you could try platforms like Udemy, where you can learn about pretty much everything under the sun. Even if you're not trying to make a career move, it doesn't hurt to try something new!

For entertainment-focused learning opportunities, professional organizations and guilds can be great resources. If you're a member of any of these organizations, keep an eye on their newsletters and social feeds -- many are hosting webinars and online workshops for entertainment professionals. You could also consider joining Stage 32, an entertainment industry social networking platform that offers webinars on a range of topics, like screenwriting, independent filmmaking, and production. MasterClass is another online resource that offers a few entertainment-related classes.

In addition to taking courses, you can focus on building skills and knowledge on your own. Read the trades and watch buzzy films or TV shows to stay on top of industry happenings and trends. Or hone in on your story evaluation skills by reading scripts, whether it's catching up on the end-of-year lists like The Black List or The Blood List or tracking pilot season. If you're a writer, you should be working on your spec -- for some inspiration, check out AnyPossibility, a platform with amazing resources designed to help keep writers on track with their scripts.

Any of these options are good ways to pass the time during these difficult weeks. But if you're not feeling so ambitious, there's also nothing wrong with kicking back with a good book, movie, or TV show, or podcast. A lot of people are feeling overextended these days, so if actively learning something new is too much right now, give yourself a break. As we've said many times, consuming content is a big part of being in this industry because it allows you to develop your taste. Lean into your interests and take a mental note of what brings you satisfaction on screen -- when you're ready to look for a new job, you'll want to tap back into that and target companies that create content you enjoy. And for now, you'll have some quality screen time.

Angela Silak & Cindy Kaplan

    Hollywood Resumes

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Jimmy Benson, 401(K) 2013, christiaan_008, televisione, Dai Lygad, MarkMoz12, Krists Luhaers, Nguyen Vu Hung (vuhung), Hollywood_PR, State Farm, Joe The Goat Farmer, HandsLive, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., thedailyenglishshow, dno1967b, flazingo_photos, jmrodri, cliff1066™, Joe The Goat Farmer, flazingo_photos, starmanseries, anitakhart, jimmiehomeschoolmom, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., hfb, gminguzzi, thedailyenglishshow, Visual Content, mkhmarketing, Peat Bakke, Visual Content, vlauria, flazingo_photos, flazingo_photos, cafecredit, StockMonkeys.com
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