BURN YOUR RESUME
The ongoing POV Series explores the business of filmmaking.
This is the time of year that we start getting emails from soon to be college graduates wanting a job in the film business – usually with a resume attached. These are emails that usually state what you’ve done, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve prepared for the next step.
But 9 times out of 10, they miss the bigger point:
These emails should not be about you.
They should be about me.
This is the challenge: I want to know that you understand the market. I want to know that you understand my challenges. And I want to know how you propose fixing them. This is your value – not just to me, but to any employer. This is the secret sauce to getting a gig anywhere. This is the magic to getting hired.
What is your pitch?
Yes, this requires some research (but you’re good at that, right?) and some time. It requires digging deep on websites, finding out who does what and what makes them tick, and then coming up with mini-marketing plans that you can present quickly on how you will help.
It’s not easy, but mandatory. This is your differentiator and something your resume can’t address. And the best part? You begin sharpening your game, so that every ‘No’ becomes the foundation to a better ‘Yes’.
PRO TIP: Don’t worry about presenting ideas that are bullet-proof or perfect. Just show that you are ahead of the curve in the way you approach the job. Prove that you are no ordinary job applicant.
Other tips:
Never address your intro email ‘To Whom it May Concern’ or similar. Find out who the people are, and always always always include a name. This shows an extra level of care.
And if you do connect and talk with someone, send them a ‘thank you’ email. You’ll be surprised.
If you don’t have a website, you need one. Squarespace is one solution. Or a baller Insta feed.
Check out this site for a treasure trove of great job-finding resources: asktheheadhunter.com. This is where a lot of the above comes from.
Keep reading. Maybe this or this.
Keep creating content. Write, shoot stuff, write again.
Keep your overhead looooooow. Dangerously low. Live close to the bone to provide yourself the runway for your dream to take off.
Don’t. Give. Up.