Jessica’s Answer:Is any job really steady this day and age? For the most part, positions in the entertainment industry are freelance. There are some studio and agency jobs that are contract jobs, but the reality is, nothing is truly stable in this industry. Some...

Jessica’s Answer:This is a tough scenario. I've coached a lot of husbands whose frustrated non-pro wives, give them ultimatums, young adults whose parents "give them a few years," and friends who joke "Are you still doing that (insert your talent here)...

Jessica’s Answer: You already do, you just have to own it. Every person brings his/her uniqueness to what he/she does. Where you get stuck is when you’re in the presence of someone who can hire you, or who impresses you. All of a sudden “you” leave the room. You start...

Jessica’s Answer: You don't HAVE to do anything. How successful do you want to be? If you wanted to be a ski instructor and you lived in Miami, Florida (snow ski, not water ski), how successful could you be? I don't recall the last time there was snow in Miami. That...

Jessica’s Answer: Back in the day, you were one or the other. In recent years, the business has changed and people go back and forth. Is it difficult? That depends. Do you have solid relationships with people who can hire you in both? Do you have individual marketing...

Jessica’s Answer: This was a question from one of the people in my teleseminar series.  I addressed it on the call and thought I'd share it with everyone.Here are my suggestions for asking for referrals: 1. Ask people you’re not in direct competition with. Who...

Jessica’s Answer: This came to me in the comment section of question 47.  The answer: Not as carefully as you may think. Remember, when I'm suggesting you pursue mentors, I'm referring to "business advice and guidance" mentors. Everyone who has reached some level...

Jessica’s Answer: Before spending valuable time on seeking representation,  do an honest evaluation of where you are in your career.Are you making enough money to make you attractive to an agent and/or manager?Are you so busy with work that you can't manage your...

Jessica’s Answer: Unfortunately, there is no "right path," no clear ladders to climb, no rule book. Fortunately, that means you can choose your own path, build your own ladder, make your own rules. My suggestions for doing this are: 1. Get mentors. Plural. Get advice...

Jessica’s Answer: That question is impossible for me to answer without my Magic 8 Ball. So, let me re-phrase it as: Do internships in the entertainment industry have the POTENTIAL to lead to anything after? Now, I can give you a firm yes-- IF you treat the internship...

Jessica’s Answer: This must be someone who attended one of my speaking engagements recently, where I suggested union screenings as a place to network. Here's how I see it: Going to the movies in a regular theater, you can be attending with anyone: students, plumbers,...

Jessica’s Answer: Great question! And for those of you who are not interested in management, simply insert any job or genre that you are interested in transitioning to. Because, that's what this question boils down to: How do you transition from one area to...

Jessica’s Answer: Personally, I wouldn't advise you to avoid it. Get pigeon-holed. Be an expert at something. Build a reputation. Then, when you are ready and you have the right relationships, you can transition to something new. The chameleon strategy is a hard one....

Jessica’s Answer: This question is too easy. Answer: DON'T BE FAKE.Obvious isn't it? Yet, so complicated, and trust me I'm not being sarcastic. I'm sure the person who asked this question is dead serious as were the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of people who've asked me...