How to send out a resume/portfolio that works?

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I am trying to find work, and I refuse to enter the retail environment ever again - unless to sell cameras. I've done that (retail) for 10+ years, and having just spent $60,000 on education over the past 6 years, I think it would be tragic to put that aside and bag groceries to make ends meet. I know that sometimes such sacrifices must be made, but I figure there is no harm in making one last stand before giving in.

I want to send out a resume/cover letter/portfolio to every magazine, newspaper, internet publication, media company, news organization, and photography studio that I can find addresses for. I am not going to send things electronically because that is what the rest of the world is doing, and being thrown in with 100,000 other applicants in a huge bin of word files on some computer is not my idea of wise strategy. I don't want to be passed over via database search engine.

So, my idea is to write tailored cover letters, a single good resume, and 50 copies of my portfolio on little mini-cds - and send the package out to all those addresses with attention to HR.

Would YOU just put your pics onto the CD in fine JPEG format or send them as larger files - printable files? If I sent them as printable files, I'd have to send a DVD since they'd most likely print them at 8x10 or larger.

Any advice is welcome. Tomorrow is the day for mailings.
 
And would you put a wide variety of work into a portfolio or tailor it specifically for the job? For instance, if applying for work as a news photographer, would I want to stick with reportage type stuff, or would i throw in a variety of work from portraits to street stuff and landscapes?

I figure the eye is as important as the sense of action, so maybe a little of everything shows the HR that you have not only an ability to shoot an event, but also an eye for composition and aesthetics?
 
Taylor to needs. At least, that's the advice I hear everywhere.

Good luck with you quest!
 
Instead of just sending CV's and portfolios why not try researching magazines and sending stories on spec that fit their editorial needs? Picture editors are busy people and may not even look at your CD if you send one. By coming up with ideas you helping to make their job easier rather than just asking for work. Look for slots with broad picture led ideas and then research and photograph it. Perhaps try and link up with a freelance writer or do the copy yourself. In the UK photographers are freelance on the whole so there is no magic full time job to fill, rather your career will have to built up in stages. The only downside is you may have to consider getting a digital camera -this would make shooting self commissioned stories far cheaper - also I don't know how many magazines would still be willing to pay for film and processing if they gave you an assignment
 
Thanks, Toby. Yes, the digital thing is a definite issue. If I find the strategy for employment promising, I'll fund the purchase of a digicam somehow.

Your description of the proper strategy boils down to this from what I can understand :

Go out and 'cover' a story, shoot pictures, write copy, and send THAT along with a cover letter/resume?

Or just the article and a quick note?
 
Some thoughts:

1. After reading many stories of how well known photographers became successful, I have noticed that no two photographers did it the same way.

2. Someone once told me that being successful in a career just required patience to wait until those further along in their career died off.

3. Why would someone give you a job rather than a photographer they already know and trust?

4. Most people make their own career rather than wait for someone else to give it to them.

5. If the how-to books have the recipe for success, why do you never hear anyone giving them credit?

6. Doors open when you put yourself out there.

7. Rewards are proportional to risk.

8. Taking a risk and being stupid are not the same thing.

9. I can't remember this one.

10. I could be lying.
 
shutterflower said:
Thanks, Toby. Yes, the digital thing is a definite issue. If I find the strategy for employment promising, I'll fund the purchase of a digicam somehow.

Your description of the proper strategy boils down to this from what I can understand :

Go out and 'cover' a story, shoot pictures, write copy, and send THAT along with a cover letter/resume?

Or just the article and a quick note?
Click to expand...

I would go to your local newstand and find a magazine or paper that has a section you think you could fill. Shoot the story and then email or telephone the picture editor (make sure you know their name beforehand) just saying "I saw such and such a section and I have story that could fill that section are you interested?" Picture editors are inundated with people who just ask for work so the best thing is to try to build a relationship with them by supplying what they need. If they accept your work on spec next time maybe try ringing with some ideas rather than shooting them beforehand.

I wouldn't worry about the CV if you are selling work, a good CV won't make them buy an article they don't want, I would try and meet them if you can and bring your portfolio with the story, just try to build contacts and get work published. If a magazine has a freelance relationship with you the chances of getting a full time job with them if one comes up is much greater. If job comes up somewhere else you have a reference.

Hope this helps


Toby
 
You ought not to do the similar thing 145.355 other (would-be) photograhpers are trying to do. You have no idea how many applications editors/photo editors are receiving on a day to day base.

Either you need the connections; know the daughter of the lover of the thief whose wife .... etc. This is hard to come by if you don't have the relation already.

The other way is to shortlist who you would like to work for, research their needs well, go out and creat a portfolia matching their needs and bug the guy (personally) untill he finally publishes one of your photos. Mind you this only works 1 in a 100 times, but this is where it all starts....

Ofcourse you'r photos must be of a distinctive quality to, they must draw the attention of the respective editor.

Another thing is that It may take years to provide yourself with an acceptable income by photography alone (unless you plan, execute and photograph GWBushes assasination in the middle of Moscows Red Square, this might speed things up a bit). But once you've got a finer between the door, getting a foot in is slightly easier, and less painfull... follow up from there.

I actually started off with doing photos for research companies, very little money, lots of work but it get's you in the circle you want to be part of.

I am sure their are many ways of getting in, staying in is just as hard ..... they both require thanasity.

Ah last, very important ... try not to do "individual" shots ... editors like things with a story-line in them ....
 
I only interview IT guys, not photographers. But I think this is true in most industries - listing what you won't (or 'refuse') to do is not encouraging. However, being cooperative is. Just 2 cents.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
During my senior year of college my professor instructed us using a flash program. We made portfolios of are work on CD that looked basically like a web page. So check out Flash.

If thats too much I think there is a a freeware program out there called quicktime viewer or something. You can put all of your jpeg files into it and the program will spit out a button on your CD for your prospective employer to push thereby showing him a succesion of your portfolio images.
 
You could also print out a photograph and design a nice cover page, then under that put your cover letter and resume with CD attatched in a clear front cover binder thing.

The photo will get their attention, in your cover letter be sure to mention that CD in there. If they are interested in that photo they will hopefully want to see more.

-Mitch
 
The CD portolio is a non-starter. Print out photos of your five or six best photos on glossy paper, with appropriate caption material (very important ... the format can be found in the Associated Press Stylebook, which is the newspaper industry's honest-to-gosh reference bible). Include the CD for those few folks who want to give you a harder look. Also, if submitting any photos for potential publication, those should be on CD as well.

The CV is only important insofar as it show education and places you've worked/traveled.

It's much easier to pursue freelance jobs than a steady job (there's a long waiting list of talented, school-trained photojournalists looking for steady work).

News work goes to those who hustle and have good luck (and, most importantly, have fully prepared themselves for that rare moment when luck fleeting presents itself). Showing creativity in getting the assignment demonstrates that you'll be creative when fililng the assignment. The business has a very quaint philosophy based on "paying your dues." My last three hires for writing/photography jobs were based on a packet of a dozen or so printed stories and half a dozen of my best photographs, plus a resume that focuses on where I've worked and what I've covered (and tacitly acknowledges that I have no formal education beyond high school). It helps to be working, even if not in your field. At least folks know you have a work ethic.

Be willing to photograph stuff others don't want to. High school sports is a common grunt entry point for photojournalists. If you have a good looking portfolio and workable resume (the main thing of the resume is that, if you're a felon, you've got the pictures to prove it). Approach local photo editors and ASK THEM WHAT THEY NEED and say you're willing to do it, at least in the beginning, for the tear sheet and experience. If you deliver, you'll quickly get to the top of the list of people to hire next time there's an opening.

Those who are really successful in the photo field tend to work for themselves ... freelancing in photojournalism or running their own photography business in a local community.

Specialize. Find something you're interested in or can do that others can't or won't. You didn't say what your education focus is, but find some trade journals or newsletters in a field you find interesting and send them some photos they can use.

Right-place, right-time, camera-in-hand is a classic way to be prepared when luck momentarily presents itself. And then, even if you never get the luck break, you've still got a lot of great shots of your family and friends.

I built my portfolio spending nine years in the Army, where I developed a specialization, largely self-taught, in covering military and international situations.
 
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Go (as in show your face) to photo studios and see how you can help. See if you can help handle gear at a wedding. I started by helping a guy shoot team photos. Once they see that you can handle a camera, they'll start trusting you to do more. See who does the photos for the local schools. Yeah, it's low-brow photography, but it will get you used to working professionally. No matter how much you know about cameras, you probably know very little about working with photo clients at a paid shoot. Once you have professional experience, other shops will consider hiring you, or at least looking at your stuff.
Although I no longer do any paid photo work, I still hire people in my present position. I hate having to read cover letters, especially long ones. I only want to know if the applicant is qualified enough for me to want to interview him in person. That's where I'd want to see some pics if it were a photo job. Who has time to peruse an unsolicitated portfolio? I have a friend who shoots horse shows. He's always looking for helpers but he's not going to hire someone from a letter. He relies on word of mouth.
 
Having worked in this industry for 30 years, I would never send out a CD with images on them. Regardless of what anyone says, it will not get looked at, unless the person you sent it to requested to see it. Viewing a CD is too much work for a busy art director or photo editor. Send cards with an image or two, and follow up with a phone call within a few days to make anppointment to show your portfolio. You need to put a visual in their hands immediately without little fuss. Make sure the pople you send your cards to are in the market for your kind of work/style. Make it very targeted mailing to get the jobs you would like to do. It make take more then a handful of mailings to get in the door.

Good luck!
 
I don't know what is different or the same in the photography industry as it is in my industry, but consider this - at least true in the USA.

Resumes that contain:

1) photos of the applicant
2) mention of religion
3) mention of race
4) mention of age
5) mention of hobbies
6) mention of membership in fraternal, civic, or religious organizations

These are all rejected out of hand. The reason being that it is illegal to discriminate based on any of these things - and one could always claim that a person was selected because they listed something in the categories above and was selected because of that. Therefore, a resume must contain ONLY:

1) Applicant name, address, phone number. Email is now acceptable.
2) Job desired.
3) Employment history.
4) Job duties.
5) Education and degrees held.
6) Relevant awards, group memberships (professional organizations only).

Salary history and references are sometimes requested by the prospective employer if they make the first cut.

When we list a job, we often get a stack of resumes 200 deep. I spend about 2 seconds with each one on the first cut. I reject those with misspelled words, sloppy, etc without even reading them. If you don't have enough respect for me to even run a spell-checker, I'm not interested in you.

I read cover letters, especially when they tell me specifically HOW the applicant's experience relates to the job they are applying for. I am also looking for things that make a candidate seem more flexible, such as "willing to relocate." When I see a litany of the things they won't do, or are not interested in doing, or the problems that they had on their last job, I'm done with that person. I find myself amazed that people put such things in a cover letter, but they do!

Experience, education, and enthusiasm that comes through in the resume and/or cover letter all turn me on and make me want to know more about that person. Those things make me put the resume on the shorter stack of those I'll comb through again, looking for specifics that relate to the job opening we have.

After narrowing the list down to 15 or 20 'possibles', I start calling them on the phone or emailing and setting up phone interviews. I find it amazing how many people again - who say they want work, but then can't be bothered to respond to a request for a phone interview - or who are clearly bored, web surfing while talking to me, or actually rude. Once again, I often find people telling me what they won't do. Big red X. The minute I hear that, the conversation may go on for a bit to be polite, but we're all done - I am not interested.

I am always surprised to find that some folks can write a good resume, but sound like complete idiots on the phone - or the other way around. People whom you would think would have good conversation skills based on their resumes often do not - but I'm learning.

And finally, I bring in 3 to 5 candidates for a one-on-one all day interview with a number of people in my department, including the team they'd be working with. Again, always a surprise - some folks seem to go out of their way to cut their own throats. One tells me he can't stand a particular religion, another tells an off-color joke, yet another comments that he doesn't think he could stand to live here. Some don't bother showing up on time, one I recall had horrible BO at 9 in the morning. One guy showed up with booze on his breath - pretty sure he was borderline drunk. One woman brought her spirit guides with her and did a little trance right there in an interview room. A fellow showed up with his wife, and was incensed that she had to sit in the lobby the whole day (we have a secure building, sorry, but we're a bank). Another guy told us he flew in the day before the interview and signed a contract with a realtor - a bit presumptious, I'd say. People who don't wear a suit and tie confuse me - did they think we were interviewing for a spot in the mail room? Oh, and if you wear a suit - have it cleaned once in awhile. Food stains, pants and jacket way too small, these are not good things.

Anyway, in my world, we don't have portfolios, so I know that you have to submit examples of what you can do or have done - I would have no idea how to proceed in that arena.

But I thought maybe some generic experiences from my side of the desk might be helpful in some way.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
SHUTTERFLOWER, here's a few suggestions from someone who's been through it:

(1)Put yourself in the mindset of the person who's going to get your stuff.
(2)Therefore, make it easy as possible for him (her) to slog thru a mountain of applications he (or she) gets all the time.
(3) Put your resume on one page, double space.
(4) Send three or four samples of your work and have others ready in case you're asked...
(5) Personal calls, with your stuff in your hand, is a million times better.
(6) If you visit, wear a suit and tie, button-down shirt, leather shoes with a shine, be clean shaven unless you have a beard.
(7) Somebody looks at stuff that comes over the transom but it takes forever and you may never hear...If you go, you will know quickly what the chances are and learn for the next visit...


_______________________________________________________________
What to provide:

Your name, address, phone number, e-mail (plus a few samples of your work) & your age.
Your last three jobs or, better, the latest jobs in your field of interest...
Your education. Very brief bio
Three references, one in your field, two others who will help with good comments.
Salary: Open

All in one 8x10 envelope...if I can help, email me off line ..regards, bob
 
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