Creatives: No Luck Online? Get out and Dance!

We’ve all spent hours online replying to job postings and trolling sites like work.com, workopolis, LinkedIn and Craigslist. But let’s face it, it gets pretty discouraging after a while especially when you aren’t getting the responses you want, and at a certain point, you start to get the feeling you need to try a different approach. This article is going to explore an unorthodox approach to the job market and getting the “in” that’s going to get you the position you want without having to rely on the numbers game of online applications.
It’s no secret that face-to-face interactions are the most meaningful ways to get to know people and this is precisely what you want to use to your advantage. Creative industries are often more socially oriented than other industries, which gives you a significant opportunity to make an impact on potential employers. The goal is to build your personal brand identity as well as grow your network of people who can refer you to potential jobs. Whether it’s music, art, publishing, advertising, or fashion it is possible to track down the places and events where you can meet the people who work in these industries.
Using the magic of LinkedIn, find pictures of the people who you want to get to know so you will be able to spot them. You may want to be careful viewing individual profiles, as they will receive a notification if you are currently logged in. Next, find places these people are likely to hang out socially or events tailored to their industry. You can find several art openings almost every weekend in this city so keep you eyes peeled. If the music industry is your goal, then find the artists that are represented by the people you want to work for, and find out when and where they are playing. Chances are you will spot a booking agent or manager that you could strike up a conversation with and start an organic relationship that could help you. Now beware if you do get into a situation to get to know someone in a position of influence, don’t ask for a job. That would be stupid. The most valuable thing that someone in the industry you want to work in can give you is information. By asking for a job you are not only going to look like jerk and probably end the relationship, but you are going to lose the valuable information that an experienced person can give you. Remember, no one is going to do this for you, you are going to have to do it on your own.
Your goals around meeting the people in the industry you want to work in is to gain information about the industry and get your name out as a person who wants to work in that industry. Again, do not ask for a job straight away in any capacity. You can let it be known that you are looking but if you ask for something directly you are likely to turn your new found contacts off and then you will be back to square one. Ask questions and share you interests regarding the industry with you contacts and let the relationship grow organically. This way when as opportunities cross one of your new contacts horizon, they will be likely to let you know about it.
Getting to know people in the industry you want to work in personally is probably the most powerful employment tool you can use. However it does take some finesse and dedication. The fun part is that you can be productive while you party, which makes this whole process seem a lot less like work and a lot more like fun. Tread lightly and remember to pursue relationships before employment and build your personal brand.
David Morton