Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for joining me again on the career couch. It's so nice to have you here with me!

In the past, we've gone over the actual process of writing your resume and we've gone over what you should and shouldn't do to market yourself and put yourself out there. We've even gone over how to approach a successful job interview! However, today I would like to talk about taking a different approach to your job search. Let's face it, resume writing, marketing and interviewing are all practices that seem very "business-y to those of us that are a little more on the creative side. So why not approach your job search from a more creative angle. Instead of thinking of your resume as a listing of the things you've done in your life, consider it to be YOUR STORY. If you think about it, that's exactly what your resume is…the story of your career. Whether you've just graduated and are embarking on a new career, or you're a seasoned pro, everyone has a story to tell, and the story you tell best is what you know…ie what you've done in your life, right? Well, that is the story that those who are in a position to hire you (recruiters, producers, directors) are interested in most…the story of your career!

OK, so you're with me and putting that spin on things puts your job search in a whole different light, right? Awesome! But right about now you might be scratching your head saying, "I get it and it sounds good, but how do I tell my story?" How do you go about getting your story out there so that folks can see and get what you've done and what you're all about? Weeeell, as with everything in the business world (and make no mistake about it, there is a reason why it's known as the entertainment business…it very much is a business) there are ways to go about things, and then there are ways to go about things…if ya know what I mean.;-) So, check out the list below to find out the best way to tell your story and show the hiring world what you're all about:

Resume – YOUR RESUME, quite frankly IS YOUR STORY. It is the story of your career and what you've done thus far toward that career. So make it read like a story. Be sure that you include in your Objective/ Summary Statement what it is that you do best. You always want to include a statement about what makes you incredible at your craft, and you want to also tell the employer why they should hire you…so that is in essence your pitch. Then, under each position you've held, you want to list things in bullet point form that reflect what you've done. Here you want to stress actions you've taken and the results that have come from those action. (So, this would be where you mention that you stepped in when the texture artist beside you was out sick for two days and you did their job as well as yours so that dailies were finished on schedule.) Don't just make your resume a listing of tasks that you've performed at work…that boils down to nothing but a job description. Instead, tell anyone reading your resume why you are good at what you do, and list examples. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR MODESTY when telling the story of your career. Put it all out there and tell them how great you are! Trust me, no one else is going to do it, so do it for yourself and put it all in YOUR STORY! Be sure to include any awards and honors you've earned and always list your education after your job history (putting education at the top smacks of someone who just graduated). When you are finished writing your resume go back and look at it with fresh eyes and make sure that it flows, as if you were telling the tale of who you are and what you've done in your life. This is the key to a congruent resume that flows. Plus, it makes for an interesting story!! ;-)

Marketing Materials – Make sure that your business cards, your website, your portfolio and any postcards or booklets that you send out reflect the best parts of your work and tell the story that you've told in your resume! All of these materials should work in conjunction with your resume to tell a cohesive tale and bring your story to life! Keep in mind that your marketing materials along with your resume, are your calling card and quite often they are the first and sometimes the only thing an employer or recruiter sees of you. If these materials tell a story that appeals to the employer, you will get a phone call to come in for an interview! So, it's in your best interest to make sure these materials fit right in with the rest of your story and weave the tale of an artist that is worth the price of admission!

Interview – Prior to your interview, take a look at your resume and brainstorm about possible questions that will be asked of you. During the interview you may be asked to expound on your story and give more details to your tale. In this vein, you might want to think of some short stories to go along with the points you've made within your resume. Don't go overboard with it, but sometimes an interesting story about how you saved a production or stepped in and got the job done when something was on the line can help to personalize things for you with the interviewer. Plus, people tend to remember anecdotes, especially if they are good stories that are well told. ;-)

The important thing to remember is that any time you are telling people who you are and what you've done in your life, you're telling them YOUR STORY. We all have a story to tell and telling the history of your career is relaying that story. So, get out there and tell your tale! Show people what you're made of and what you can do! Everyone likes to hear a good story, so make sure your story is an interesting one that will hold the person's attention. Also, as you go through your job search be sure to keep in mind that your story is a work in progress. And, above all remember that the best part of YOUR STORY is yet to be written. Searching for your next job is just a matter of beginning the next chapter in what will be a long and successful story…YOUR STORY!

Until next time…stay tuned!