Does anyone get work from this?

Hi Kevin

I've been an SJP member since about June and have got 3 jobs from it, teaching, composing and writing.

However, one of those contacted me, but the other two I saw adverts for an applied.

I've had a look at your profile and CV, and your designs are fantastic - I like the style. Equally, you have a huge amount of experience. But therein lies a minor problem. Take the "employment" section itself - it is so long, even though I did scan over it, it is a tad off-putting to read if you were looking for a designer and just wanted a snapshot of their work.

Couple that with your CV, which is a number of pages long with large paragraphs of writing. Again, not attractive to a reader who wants to get a "snapshot" without having to read in more detail.

My SJP profile is by no means perfect, but decided to approach it in a different way. I have included my relevant work experience and main shows on my "employment" section, but even as this grows I will keep it to as short as possible - picking out the best bits. The rest of the shows I have worked on have gone into a similarly formatted MS Word Doc called something like "Production History". That one includes ALL my work in theatre.

My CV is then entirely separate, standard 2 page CV that I would send out to any employer (needs updating actually!!!). Although the content of yours in interesting...it is too long, in my opinion. The pictures are great, but are perhaps better to not be on the actual CV but in the portfolio (as they would be if you applied for a job). Also, I understand WHY you have included "up an coming work" in your CV, as it does look good...but it also appears like "lack of availability". Maybe mention the names, but no dates.

My content is different to yours (obviously!!!), but I have also uploaded music files as samples of my work so people can have a look-see, and will add stuff whenever I can.

So, you clearly have loads of work experience, and have done some great stuff, but trimming it all back a bit, getting potential employers to focus on the "best bits" kind of snapshot, MIGHT yield some more responses.

Oh also, if you put the photos on the Portfolio you would be able to see which ones are taking more views than others, etc.

Anyway, I am not a CV expert and nor do I have "answers", but there's just a few ideas for you to ponder.

Feel free to take a look at my profile and be as equally critical - always good to get objective opinions!

All the best
Colin

• 13 years ago
• 1

I have. Maybe not as much as I thought I would have but still enough to keep me renewing my membership.

I think I joined pretty early on so I'm not too surprised that it has steadily gotten better as a source of work. The more of us in it, the more work will follow, I think.

It is a very funny time for our industry right now and I fear it will get worse before it gets better, as such employment is much harder to find. Therefore sites like these could be very useful.

However, I've yet to see any job solely advertised here and free posting services like Arts Jobs do also cover most of the adverts that are here. [Google ACE's ArtsJobs]

I'd take the advice above regarding your CVas it is pretty sound. Theatre CVs are traditionally one-pagers and don't normally have all the 'mission statement' or wordy bits. In theatre you know someone who knows someone so all employers are really looking for is your training and your last few jobs and to see if they know one of your last employers. As a production Manager I get bored and skip lengthy CVs, I do just want the overview in facts not words.

Though on this site I think it is ok to be more exhaustive, especially if you have a broad spectrum of work to show off. IMHO, of course.

• 13 years ago
• 2

Some really interesting points there, and I agree that these are scary times for the industry! (gee, did I pick the wrong time to venture out!!!).

When applying for jobs, be careful that you don't give the impression that you are just sending out a blanket CV and application detail. I take great care when applying to specific posts that I have tailored my CV and application to the post I am applying for, and i have done the research into the job.

I am a great believer in applying to jobs you ACTUALLY want to do or can do. From my own experience, I would rather work with someone who has some experience but a genuine interest in [the post I want them to fill] as they really want to develop and move forward, than someone who has "done everything" and sees themselves as the "finished product" and can do the job, dead easy. Sometimes that is what an employer wants - a casual technical job as a follow spot op needed urgently, for example, just needs someone who CAN do the job and is available. Extending the lighting example, a post for a technical manager that is longer term might be open to someone with a lot of technical experience but little/no management experience...the job might be suited to someone who wants to develop a career.

So, anyway, I am waffling, but what I mean is, jobs are not going to FIND you, so you have to get out there and dig for them...not just applying to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, but applying to what you want and can deliver or train to deliver.

I have got to a stage now that I am thinking there is something wrong with my profile - I have had lots of views, but not yielded HUGE offers of work...perhaps there is something I need to revisit in mine.

So, to finally shut up, be reflective, TRY to be objective, and if ever turned down for something ASK FOR FEEDBACK!

• 13 years ago
• 3

Heya Ive been on here about a year and havent got a job from stage jobs pro either, little worrying xxxx

• 13 years ago
• 4

Looking over this post again, I'm wondering if some of you are expecting jobs to come to you or if you are daily checking the listings and applying directly?

You won't get jobs passively from this site, it just doesn't work like that. Think of it a a job listing site, and apply for work that takes your fancy...

• 13 years ago
• 5

Indeed, it is an excellent meeting and profiling place, but the onus is still the individual to get out there and look for work.

I don't think people expect things to be thrown in their lap by SJP - or I hope not - and it also depends on what level membership you have.

• 13 years ago
• 6

I have chased and got two jobs and have been offered one job, so all in all I would say it works, but I am in a very small minority section, Opera Stage Management!!

• 13 years ago
• 7

Hello.
I have been a member for about a year now and have applied for alot of jobs and managed to land too. What eveyone is saying above is right. You only really get any luck if you search yourself. Alot of people will look at your profile but rarely approach you. If you think about how many profiles there are on here!! I would just say, be more pro active and look around! Like everyones profiles btw. all look very exciting!
Ha maybe we should all get together and create something!! That be easier!

Cheers Christian

• 13 years ago
• 8

Get together and create something? You mean, combine our profiles into a Frankenstein-esque creation? A strange patchwork attempt at theatrical perfection? What if it turns against us and stampedes through the membership and creates its own other being?

Oh hang on, maybe you meant we should get together and be theatrical? Hmmmmmmm

(Dammit Colin, THINK before you type...now, where is that delete button...?...)

• 13 years ago
• 9

Thanks for the reply guys :) I have now spent the last 3 hours scouring this site and applying and applying haha loving the idea of mushing all of us theatrical people together to create something crazy

• 13 years ago
• 10

So we could all get together, like on-line in some sort of, I don't know, theatre-workers-type-website where we could share ideas and look for work? You could even include a forum where folk could interact on important topics.

Hang on...

• 13 years ago
• 11

Whoa, slow down there...that's sounding VERY technical and adventurous there! Perhaps lets take some time to step back and absorb your ideas.

Hmmmmmmmm

• 13 years ago
• 12

Well it been 2000 hits and a finally got a job from the site only for the company to break my contract at every opportunity and not to fully pay me what they owe. Not bitter just shafted. Dont abuse others goodwill!!!

• 13 years ago
• 13

Sadly, good will does get hunted! There are a few out there happy to abuse people's good will, and all we can do is hope they are in the minority, outnumbered by genuine people.

• 13 years ago
• 14

When scorcese said my films may not change the world but they surely should help it from getting any worse, I would remind theatre producers that in there poor judgement they destroy the milk of human kindness and the industry they wish to succeed in when they cannot see beyond the money and wiser folk then themselves. Or has scorcese got so wrong?

• 13 years ago
• 15

What I actually mean is maybe we should all get together and produce and amazing peice of performance! We all seem to have different professions we could all bring.... not an online forum but an amzing, innovative peice!? who's in??... also do not get put down by the job front..if you were not any good then you would of not got this far!! think positive!!

• 13 years ago
• 16

Im up for that :)

• 13 years ago
• 17

Il be honest,ive never been able to get a decent paying job from SJP. Only ever small experiance boosters.

still waiting on an employer to actuly take me on,

my mail is stacked with rejection replys

:(

• 13 years ago
• 18

I'd be up for a nice sha-bang project! In fact, you might be onto something there - an "SJP" company project based on people who have met and networked on here!

So, I shall play an opening gambit and offer to throw my "writing" hat into the ring.

• 13 years ago
• 19

Just got offered a job, finally haha oohh I will throw my Stage Management skills into this mix haha

• 13 years ago
• 20