hen it comes to working in entertainment, you may find that your job interview is a lot different than what it would be if you were seeking “regular” employment. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that positions in creative fields often require a great deal of collaborating. It’s not as though you can sit in the corner and tend to a spreadsheet all day; in the entertainment business, you will be talking to people—and maybe even doing some negotiating—during the whole day. Even if you’re not in front of the camera, people will have to find you at least slightly charming. This goes for every gig in entertainment when you’re starting out—whether you’re a gaffer, a grip or a production assistant.
Because jobs in the entertainment industry tend to be highly coveted, you can expect that there will be more competition than you would face for a regular job. Actors, for example, may find themselves competing with hundreds of people for one small speaking role in a commercial. But although the entertainment industry has its downsides, there are some extraordinary perks. For instance, if you’re not the kind of guy or gal who likes to wear a suit to work, you’ve found the right industry! In the entertainment field, it’s not uncommon to see some of the most powerful people wearing casual outfits. For this reason, do not assume that you can write anyone off during the interview process! The young girl wearing jeans and a hoodie may be the person who is in charge of ultimately hiring you; you need to put your best foot forward at all times.
Since many entertainment jobs are seasonal, you may find that being staffed on a show year-round is a daunting task. This is why it is so crucial to cultivate your network in entertainment. Today’s production assistant may be tomorrow’s location manager, so you should make it a goal to befriend everyone in the chain of command. Although the entertainment industry is very hierarchical, people do tend to move up in a hurry. Job interviews in entertainment almost always require a referral, so don’t miss an opportunity to make connections during your interview. Those connections will help you reach the goals that you’ve set in front of yourself and keep these goals at the front of your mind.