If you are looking for work in the film industry, you have a number of options to choose from to find your dream job. The approach you should take will depend on the type of work you are looking for and what stage you are at in your career.
If you are taking a course at film school, then your college job board is a good place to start. Employers who are advertising there are recruiting for entry-level positions and welcome recent graduates. You may also want to ask whether any potential employers conduct on-campus interviews to find new staff.
Another approach you can use to find work if you are in school is to ask your instructors if they know of anywhere you should be applying. If possible, get the name of a specific person you should be directing your resume and cover letter to. You will have a better chance of getting hired if you are able to send them to a specific person, as opposed to the Personnel Department or the Hiring Manager.
Looking for work online is another way to get hired in the film industry. You may want to start by checking out the major job boards, like Monster or Career builder. Choose a job title or a keyword to find advertised job openings. You may also want to specify a specific location, if you want to limit your search to certain cities only.
The Internet also has some job sites specifically for people who are interested in finding openings in the film industry. On most sites you can register for free to see job listings for the TV and film industries. You can browse through available job openings or post an online profile that has the potential for being reviewed by hiring companies. Most job boards also include a list of companies which have posted job openings most recently.
Keep in mind that many jobs are never advertised, and you want to get your resume in front of as many people as possible when you are looking for work. Simply because the company is not advertising for a certain position doesn't mean that something you would be qualified for may not come up soon.
It's best to leave no stones unturned when looking for film industry job listings - it's a competitive business. On every job board site search for jobs by location, job title, or keyword. Also, look for information about specific companies by clicking on "Research Companies" when that option is available.
Don't overlook advertisements for entertainment or film industry interns and this is another way you can get some practical experience. You may even end up with a job offer if the employer likes your work. At the very least, you should be able to gain some valuable contacts through your internship experience.
You can also approach your job search for work in the film industry by making a list of all the companies you are interested in working for and conducting some in depth research on each one. Before you can present yourself to a prospective employer as someone who can add value to the organization, you need to have some idea about how you would fit in to that company.
Once you get to the interview stage, the research you have done on the prospective employer will pay off. When you are asked, "Why should we hire you?" you will be able to provide a well-thought-out answer.
Look for film industry jobs through your school job board or by searching through online job boards like the free board on JobMonkey. You can also conduct your own research to make a list of companies you are interested in working for. Get the scoop on careers in the entertainment industry from career writer Lisa Jenkins on JobMonkey. In addition to working in film or music you can even learn about reality TV casting calls and broadcasting careers. All information is free online.
