Friday, October 8, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 583: Yesterday on Buzz radio you said no dates on resumes. Can you elaborate?

I was talking about the mistakes people make on their resumes and one of them is to model a "corporate business resume." These types of resumes are done in more of a paragraph format and have the dates the person worked at each company.

As I said on The BuZz, your resume doesn't get you work, it gives you credibility. So with each word or number you put on your resume you have to ask yourself, is this something that they could say "no" to? And obviously if it may make them say no, you don't want it on your resume.

Dates can give a lot of information that people can say "no" to. For example:

1. If your first credit was in 1963, and the director looking at your resume was born in 1983, you may get passed over because the young director doesn't want an "old guy" telling him what to do.

2. If your first 10 credits are all in 2009, clearly, you just started last year. While you have ten credits, you may still be viewed as lacking experience because you've only been working for a year.

3. If your most recent credit is 2010 but before that your last credit was 2001, the person reading it may wonder, "why wasn't this person being hired?" You may have a great answer, like you left the business to care for a parent, but you may never get the chance to explain.

4. If your most recent credit is 2001, people will really wonder, why hasn't anyone hired you and a major red flag goes up.

You don't want to raise any flags, red, yellow, or otherwise. It's just safer to keep your resume simple and date free, in my opinion. Besides, if they really want to know dates, they can check IMDB.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 582: Do you think youth have an advantage because of their excited optimism?

The question added: I continue to understand in a clearer light where the phrase "we are our own worst enemy" comes from. Self doubt, fear, intimidation, discouragement, etc. are heavy burdens and can truly create a heavy load to carry on the journey of many a gifted artist! I suppose that perhaps this can be why successful ventures are frequently stumbled into by the confidence and excited optimism of youth ... in that nervous innocence we tend to take a more "action" oriented approach versus "thinking" about the best plan of attack and ultimately "thinking" ourselves right into another day, week, month, year, etc!!

Here's how I feel about this: Confident, excited youths don't just stumble upon success. Confidence and excitement at EVERY AGE, attracts people and opportunities. Therefore, if you are dealing with fear, self-doubt, etc, (again, at ANY age), you have to do the personal development work to shift your mindset. I've worked with people who were burnt out on the industry, beaten down by lack of acknowledgment, and ready to give up. Those who were willing to re-ignite their passion, despite their "baggage from the past," went on to relaunch successful careers.

The mind is a very powerful thing. You MUST gain control over your thoughts. Sometimes, it takes a lot of work. Other times, people are just ready... and it happens instantly. Either way, whatever your age, you can have genuine confidence and excitement about what you do and people will be drawn to you and want to work with you.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 581: I'm on a roll dayplaying on 1 show, how do I turn it into more work?

The best time to seek out work is when you're working. If you're working a few days a week on a show, the best way to turn it into more days is to call people (either from set, on your way there, or on your way home) and share your passion about what you're working on. People get caught up in your excitement and passion and want to be around people who are so positive.

If you've had mentors or champions in the past, call them to tell them you're working and thank them for their contribution. If they are working on a show, perhaps ask for a set visit on an off day to maintain the momentum of being on set.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 580: What's your favorite new show so far?

New show? No Ordinary Family... it's the updated "with a twist" version of The Greatest American Hero. I'm not a big fan of remakes of shows like 90210, Melrose Place, etc. I have great respect for the hit shows from the past, and like it when writers see a concept that worked and put a twist on it. To me Glee is the Fame of this generation, only FAAAAAAAR better than the remake of Fame done a few years ago.

I get scared to get attached though. New shows I fall in love with tend to have a bad track record. In fact, if market researchers had me watch their pilots and I LOVE IT, they can pretty much gauge that it's going to be a bust. Luckily for 24 fans, I didn't start watching until season 2.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

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Monday, October 4, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 579: I had a stranger I reached out to on FB tell me not to contact her there and gave me her email.

The question continued: "Now I'm embarrassed because I made a request of her on Facebook, when I didn't really know her and obviously it bothered her. What should I do?"

Sometimes I just want to shake some of you! I don't want to sound harsh... okay, maybe I do, because this is a competitive business and you have to get over yourself. Seriously, let's break this down.

1. You reached out to a stranger on Facebook and made some kind of request.

2. The stranger responded to you.

3. Not only did the stranger respond to you, but she gave you her personal email and told you how she preferred to be contacted.

4. SHE INVITED YOU TO EMAIL HER

What is the problem? What are you embarrassed about? WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU GET THAT YOU BOTHERED HER? I don't know about you, but I don't give my email address and welcome further contact to people who bother me.

What should you do? Grow a pair, and email her!

Seriously, people. Stop reading into things and act like professionals who want to make it in this business!

ps: while I was bothered by this question, I'll get over it in about 2 minutes, so feel free to email me more questions in the future.

disclaimer: this blog post was written before I had my coffee... oh wait, I don't drink coffee.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

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Sunday, October 3, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 578:Do you suggest books on being an entrepreneur?

The question read: You referred to Business Tools, and books written by people like Richard Bronson. Are there any specific books or courses (next to yours of course) that you may recommend that help with building confidence, a presence, advice on being an entrepreneur?

What's unique about what I do, is I spend $20,000/year to get all of the business tools that entrepreneurs use and then translate it into language that artists, craftspeople, and technicians, can relate to. So, yes, there are many courses out there for entrepreneurs. I am personally in Ali Brown's MPC Elite program, I've also worked with and recommend Star Ladin, for branding as well as business for heart-centered entrepreneurs.

When it comes to books, I like biographies on people like Richard Branson, Warren Buffet, as well as "Mommy Millionaire." I've read so many books on being an entrepreneur that have different areas of focus; social media, branding, client care, confidence building, etc. that I would recommend Robert Finkelstein's book recommendation section (because I can't remember them all).

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 577: While I target my 10 contacts should I continue to mass email the other hundreds of companies out there?

That is a question that only you can answer. To make that decision, ask yourself these questions:

1. How much time out of your week does the mass mailing take?

2. What are the results of your mass mailings?

3. If the answer to number 2 is "low results," does the time you spend on the mailings warrant continuing with this "cold-call" method, or would your time be better spent on focused work and relationship building?

I know what I would do, but only you can make that decision for your business.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1280: I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language (cont'd)

"I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language. I  am looking to improve my comprehension when I read my text book...