In the 1930′s, 1940′s, and 1950′s kids would flock to Hollywood, California in search of their dreams of stardom in the moving pictures aka the movies. These kids, like Norma Jean or John Wayne, would hit town and immediately begin the process of “being discovered.” The 4 steps they would often take can be equated to today’s job seeker or entrepreneur in their quest to find a job or “stardom” in their field.
1. Go to the Studio
Future Starlet or Star: Often the first (wannabe’s) strategy would be to go straight to Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, or other big studio and beg for a meeting or interview from a movie mogul, director, or talent scout. Banging on doors, collecting names, finding information to follow up was often the best these kids would manage.
Job Seeker or Entrepreneur on Linkedin: Often the first strategy is for job seekers and entrepreneurs to begin to show up on Linkedin, the modern day equivalent of the Hollywood studio. Here are a few steps to take “on the set”:
- Create a powerful profile on Linkedin
- Utilize the Linkedin internal search engine to find names, facts, and contacts of people and companies looking for their talents.
- Connect with targets by joining groups
- Showcase talents by answering Questions and asking Questions
2. Get Discovered
Future Starlet or Star: The next step was for these kids to go hang out in the drugstore soda fountain or by the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel. This was their form of networking to showcase their “look”, their style, or their originality.
Job Seeker or Entrepreneur on Facebook: The next strategy for a job seeker or entrepreneur is to build a Facebook profile. Here they can place pictures, videos, and samples of their writing. They can include links to their Linkedin profile as well as other information resources. Like the Hollywood actor in waiting, job seekers and entrepreneurs can showcase their expertise, originality, and focus.
3. Go to the Right Places
Future Starlet or Star: The next step would be to go to the Brown Derby for lunch or dinner. Ease drop on conversations, ask doorman or bartenders for tips on who’s in the place, and try to find the right people talking about the industry.
Job Seeker’s and Entrepreneurs on Twitter: Twitter is the place for people to find conversations about their industry, jobs, opportunities, and regional areas. Here a person can politely “inject” themselves into conversations, RSS subscribe to conversations, and begin to communicate and network with their targeted audience(s).
4. Hire a Manager, Talent Scout, Press Agent
Future Starlet or Star: Finally the wannabe would begin looking for help via an agent or other representative. The difficult process of trying to break in on their own becomes overwhelming.
Job Seeker or Entrepreneur establish their blog: Tired of sending out resumes, paying for advertisements, and waiting by the phone, these people establish their own blog. The blog becomes their press release, their talent scout, their agent, and their delivery system. It is the hub and centerpiece of their campaign to build a new business or find a new job opportunity. The steps include:
- Writing Articles: showcase talent and expertise
- Sending Articles: leaving links to their articles on other industry, company, or niche blogs
- Creating Video: video clips of themselves giving tips or explaining a process
- Recording Podcasts: recording their own “radio show” filled with information and expertise design to help people while showcasing their talents
