Pitching for work.
This is a skill we all need to learn. Sadly many attempts get little or no attention, the timing is wrong or they are badly drafted. When they need extra painters employers are more receptive. But they are usually in a hurry, and don't want to spend lots of time selecting staff. So you need to hone a pitch that gets your information across clearly before they move on to the next email.
Whether or not they are hiring at that time, your objective is to go and meet them and the email and CV are designed to make this happen.
This is a skill we all need to learn. Sadly many attempts get little or no attention, the timing is wrong or they are badly drafted. When they need extra painters employers are more receptive. But they are usually in a hurry, and don't want to spend lots of time selecting staff. So you need to hone a pitch that gets your information across clearly before they move on to the next email.
Whether or not they are hiring at that time, your objective is to go and meet them and the email and CV are designed to make this happen.
Focus on the employer.
You are trying to get the employer's interest. The information presented should be clear concise and focused on them. They are not really interested in you, only how you will solve their staffing problem. A job application is not an autobiography. It should be short and to the point. Language should be conversational, not over formal but business like. If you read it out loud and it sounds wordy, re-write it
Do your research
Find out who you are talking to. Get a name. (Nobody likes dear Sir or Madam!). Find out what kind of work they do, who they work with, designers production managers and past productions. Can you include anything in your work credits that you have in common. Find out where they are, do you live nearby or have you friends or family you could stay with?
Make your pitch.
Be clear what you are asking for. If you want work as a painter then your CV should look like a painters CV, not an all rounder's. If the employer needs the all rounder CV, send that one. You will probably need two or three CV's, each appropriate to different pitches. To some employers you may need to be a painter/maker, to some a specialist scenic painter or artist. Sending the right CV to the right employer is important. Usually you will send an email, a CV and a link to a portfolio.
The object of the exercise is to go and meet the employer because if you can meet them they might remember you when they do need somebody.
You are trying to get the employer's interest. The information presented should be clear concise and focused on them. They are not really interested in you, only how you will solve their staffing problem. A job application is not an autobiography. It should be short and to the point. Language should be conversational, not over formal but business like. If you read it out loud and it sounds wordy, re-write it
Do your research
Find out who you are talking to. Get a name. (Nobody likes dear Sir or Madam!). Find out what kind of work they do, who they work with, designers production managers and past productions. Can you include anything in your work credits that you have in common. Find out where they are, do you live nearby or have you friends or family you could stay with?
Make your pitch.
Be clear what you are asking for. If you want work as a painter then your CV should look like a painters CV, not an all rounder's. If the employer needs the all rounder CV, send that one. You will probably need two or three CV's, each appropriate to different pitches. To some employers you may need to be a painter/maker, to some a specialist scenic painter or artist. Sending the right CV to the right employer is important. Usually you will send an email, a CV and a link to a portfolio.
The object of the exercise is to go and meet the employer because if you can meet them they might remember you when they do need somebody.
