Why You’re Not Getting a Job in the Entertainment Industry (Or Anywhere Else)
Sometimes it seems like I’ve read a million different resumes in the last three decades, and interviewed about as many people looking for jobs. After all that experience, one big thing bugs me, and it’s holding many people back from getting better jobs: The lack of a specific skill. Here’s the situation:
The other day, I was sitting in my office talking to a job candidate and asked him the big questions: So what are you best at doing? Where do you rock? What could you potentially be the best in the world at? How can you help our company?
His answer: “I think I’m good at connecting people.”
Folks, “connecting people” is a good thing, but it’s not a marketable skill unless you connect people with potential investors or donors. In 95% of cases, a skill (in the entertainment business) should sound something like:
“I’m a multi-camera television director with great experience in live programming.”
“I’m a video editor and particularly strong with designing motion graphics.”
“I’m a script writer, and dialogue is my greatest strength.”
“I’m a video shooter and I’ve shot in more than 20 countries in hazardous and dangerous settings.”
“I can budget and manage multiple productions and supervise film or video crews on location.”
People will actually pay money for these and similar skills, and skills matter for entry-level or below-the-line jobs in entertainment (or most other fields).
And if you don’t have much experience? Still focus on skills. You may not master a skill yet, but let the interviewer know what you’re focused on and your path toward mastery. So in your interview, stop responding about your considerable skills “working with teams,” “coordinating people,” “being highly motivational,” or any other high-sounding talents. All those things are extraordinary individual abilities, but people today are looking for someone who can very specifically help their company or project succeed.
Find out what that is, and align an actual marketable skill to accomplish that.
No producer in town I know of is looking for another employee who is “good at connecting people” unless they also have real-world skills. Unless, of course, it’s “connecting” people to the coffee machine…
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
