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Moving from the film industry to others
I have a few years of experience in the film and theater industry as a producer, but as most arts go, it doesnt make the bills. I have produced multiple projects and co-founded a small company in which I was managing director for more than two years. I now need something that will actually pay as I am not able to move from my current geography for another 7 years. I realize I am qualified for things but am having a hard time getting anyone to even call back, the film industry is very insular here, and I cant do anymore for credit projects. Does anyone have advice on how to show what I can do in a resume that will get me noticed at the level of expertise I have, and that will pay a wage that is livable in Austin.
Anonymous
11/01/19 at 6:54PM UTC
Hi there! There is a bit of a debate going on on whether or not cover letters matter or not anymore on FGB! I am in the "they matter" camp because of situations like yours where you can definitely transfer over the soft skills you've gained into another industry. Cover letters can be a great way to explain that.
If you're also looking for a more familiar move, have you looked into advertising agencies? I previously worked at a few where the larger ones had producer positions for tv commercials.
Good luck!!
Erin Howard-ReidCareer Counselor
318
10/31/19 at 8:54PM UTC
If you're applying for jobs online, you might be running into a formatting battle with the company's Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). Essentially, ATS screens resumes for keywords that are listed in the job description.
Here's what I'd do to format your resume to get through with a high ATS score:
1. Start with your name and contact info at the top - that's where the software always screens for this info. If it's listed at the bottom it might be auto-rejected.
2. Underneath, add an objective/summary statement that includes the name of the title you're applying for AND the name of the company - people lose a lot of points by leaving this off. It may seem like a given, but to the ATS it's a requirement. It could be something like "Producer and Managing Director who will use ___________ (a list of skills or qualities required in the job description) as a ________ (job title) at _________ (name of company).
3. Underneat that, add your list of skills, knowledge, qualities, etc. However you word the title of this section, be sure to include key qualities/skills from the job description. It will increase your score.
4. Work History - describe what you've done as it relates to details in the job decription...Is it asking to manage a budget? Write how you did that with your films. Innovation/creativity? How did you use that? Be creative here, but be sure to sprinkle in the keywords.
In a nutshell, think of the job description as a hunger that needs to be fed. How will your resume feed that hunger? A generic resume will feed like McDonalds, and sometimes that's all that's needed. But if you make it a memorable meal that caters to the job description's palatte (sp?) you'll do yourself a big favor.
I hope that helps! I'm working on creating a free course on this. I wanted to have it up Monday but it may be a week later. Message me your email address if you want to be notified when the course opens. No pressure or anything :)
Erin
