Your target employer list is in
the central element in your job search process. This list tells us, and you
where you want to intern and or work, so make sure the list is relevant to your
interests. It's pointless to pursue an internship or get a job somewhere that
you don't really want to work. Preparing a target employee list can help you
identify potential employers in your field.
What to do: Research
and write down the following information for at least 15 potential employers,
internship providers, companies, talent, studios, films, TV shows, etc.
Contact info: Get the full contact details of
each of the 15 potential employers on your list: address, phone, and email if
you can. Try to get a contact
name, along with their title and position and email address.
This is important so that you can contact these
potential employers for a possible internship, which could be your ticket to a
paid job or entry-level position.
Greatest achievements: Know
them! Oscars, Emmys, movies that grossed over $100 million, etc. If you
know what they are famous for you can impress them with your knowledge in your cover letter and during your
interview by showing them that you have done your homework, but if you don't
know, you run the risk of offending them!
Biggest names: If it is
a company that you were interested in, no the most important names of the
talent that they work with, producers, directors actors, and staff executive
assistants. It is very important to know the names of the people working at the
company, and also the names of the people or talent who made the company what
it is. You never know who might walk into your interview.
Reason: Find the one thing that
attracts you to the company. Perhaps your favorite TV shows, franchises, or
movies that were developed or produced there. Knowing why you were interested
in the company may mean the difference between standing out from the crowd and
getting lost in the shuffle at interview time. If you can address that reason
in your cover letter, it might ensure that you get the interview.
Connection: Try your
hardest to find one thing that connects you to the company maybe you and an executive
from there came from the same hometown, or you and the talent you are
approaching both share a hobby or favorite charitable cause? There is no
better way to establish a professional bond than by finding something in common
with that person beyond the entertainment industry. No matter how much you
idolize that person here she is just a person, like you.
Rank the list: Use 1 to 5 star system and rank the list.
Five stars for your top choices of places to work or intern, down to one star
for the less desirable. It helps you to narrow down which companies you
should target first.
SAMPLE ONLY:
Contact Info:
Eight Delta Marketing Group (EDMG)
4000 Balboa Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92661
Staff:
George Ohan, Senior Partner
Andy Nguyen, Partner
Anthony Bloodworth, Segment producer
Viviana Millan, Director of International Business
Greatest
Achievements:
Distribution for documentary film Brothers
At War. Manage social media
accounts for: American Legion, Cal Vet, and several film projects. Manage USO entertainment tours for
G.I.’s of Comedy and Harmony Music.
Biggest
Talent Names:
Gary Sinise, Norman S Powell, Jake Rademacher, Jack Scalia,
John Duffy, Xavier Ybarra.
Latest
Projects:
Film, Just Another Dance With My Father. Film, The Flag.
Fundraiser video, Gary Sinise Foundation.
Reason:
EDMG creates HD content for small business and big businesses. I really love how involved they are
with veterans, at-risk youth, and people with disabilities.
Connection:
George Ohan, their senior partner and I both love the Dodgers and ocean
sports.
Purpose:
I would like to intern or work at this company.
You will need 15 of these…. 1 for every place that you’d like to work or
intern. If you are reading this,
then you have found some very useful knowledge on landing work in the entertainment
business.