Since your first semester at Belmont, you’ve heard our faculty and staff emphasizing the importance of networking in the entertainment industry. You’ve been encouraged to get involved with student organizations, do volunteer work in the industry, and do more passive networking through today’s technology platforms (like LinkedIn.)
When it comes to applying for jobs and internships, just submitting an application is not enough. Even if you have all the qualifications the employer/sponsor is seeking, it’s very likely that your application will be overlooked…unless you KNOW SOMEONE in the organization.
So, how do you make relationships work to your advantage when you are entering into an application process? First, once you’ve decided what companies you are interested in, see if you have any relationships with current employees or respected former employees. You can reach out to them BEFORE you apply to ask for more details about the position. This might help you focus on specific areas in your cover letter or resume, especially if the job description was especially bland. Or, once you’ve submitted your application, you can reach out to ask if they would be willing to forward your resume on to the hiring manager. Typically, any candidate that gets a personal recommendation from a current employee will at least get their application moved to the top of the pile. It does not guarantee you a phone or in-person interview, but it will draw attention to you.
Anytime you do this, always show your gratitude to the inside contact. Send them a thank you note or an electronic gift card (who doesn’t appreciate $5 to Starbucks?) Do this whether you move forward in the process or not.
If you haven’t been putting energy into networking yet, now is the time. It’s never too early, but you never know when it might be too late.