Five Steps to Kick Off Your 2026 Job Search

This has not been an easy couple of years for any of us in media and entertainment, but after a holiday break to renew and refresh, we hope you're approaching the 2026 job search in the right mindset. As you get back into the swing of networking and job applications, here are some steps you can take to ensure you make the most of the first few months of the year.

1. Get your story straight. We hope you’ve spent the last couple of months establishing goals and priorities. Now, it’s time to act on those goals. Whatever they may be, you need to make sure the story you are projecting about your professional value aligns with those goals. If you haven’t already, take a moment to outline your key selling points refine your elevator pitch (remember, you’ll need multiple versions depending on your audience!). 

2. Reconnect with your contacts. The new year is the perfect time to get back in touch with people you haven’t spoken to in some time – especially friends and close colleagues who will be your biggest champions in the job search. Spend the rest of this week making a list and emailing those people to set coffees, lunches, and drinks. Some may be pushed into February or March, and that’s ok. When you meet with them, remember to get specific about your goals and share your story with clarity so you will be top of mind when opportunities pop up. 

3. Create a calendar. It’s really hard to achieve your goals if you haven’t created some sort of structure or accountability system for yourself. Different methods work for different people – some people need to time block their calendars for meetings, applications, work, and personal time, and others do better working through a to do list that they create each Friday. Figure out what works for you, and find ways to set micro goals you can achieve each week. 

4. Pay attention. If you’re spending hours researching job boards each week, and that’s your primary way of learning about new roles, you are missing out! Get in the habit of reading the trades and your LinkedIn newsfeed, and make sure you are talking about current happenings in and adjacent to the industry when you're networking. Open roles are often filled before they are posted, so if you can stay on top of the news, you’ll know where to look or who to get in touch with to learn about openings before they are posted. Plus, this will enable you to think outside the box and find opportunities with startups or companies who are new to entertainment and media. 

5. Be intentional. When you are excited about an opportunity, pull out all the stops to get your resume seen by the right person. Don’t stop at submitting your job application. This takes time, and it means that you won’t be able to apply for tons of other irrelevant roles. That’s the whole point! If you can be more intentional about applying for jobs that you are excited about where you can bring a fresh perspective to the team, your applications will be stronger, and you’ll have a better chance of getting an interview. 

As always, we are here to support your job search in any way we can. We can’t promise that 2026 will be easier than 2025, but we can confidently say that if you approach your job search with clarity, determination, and intention you’ll be much better positioned to succeed in the current market.