Search for new opportunities but unsure of how to proceed? Struggling with the challenge of moving forward with your career when all you see are obstacles? Wondering how to summon the courage, strength and focus to find a new job?

Think like a professional actor.

Note: for the context of this article, the term “professional actor” refers to those individuals who earn the majority of their income by performing in front of a camera and/or a live audience. They belong to a professional union such as SAG-AFTRA or AEA. Also a few terms need clarification to understand the analogies to the job search:

Casting Director = Hiring Manager

Agent = recruiter

Audition = interview

Most professional actors folks never become a household name outside their own household; they work on industrial training projects, trade shows, commercials, cruise ships, theme parks and other areas that go largely unnoticed by the general public. But they all earn a living at their craft.

And they spend most of their time looking for work.

Being “in transition” is normal for them. They accept that as a given. Finding steady work (such as being cast in a hit play that provides employment for months) is the exception.

So how do they survive and even thrive?

1. Professional actors are always building and strengthening their networks.

Professional actors pursue relationships with agents in the hope that an agent will sign an agreement to formally represent the actor. The agent then begins sending the actor to auditions that the actor would not otherwise be able to access.  

So in theory, once the actor has an agent, the actor can sit back and wait for the audition offers to come in, right? Guess again.

The professional actor understands and accepts the responsibility of continuing to search for opportunities. Professional actors are always making connections, expanding their network and getting people to know them. They support their peers, attending showcases and screenings. They find positive things to say to each other at every chance they get. They only call their agents when they have found work and need someone to negotiate on their behalf for the best deal.

Lesson: While it is helpful to establish a great relationship with a recruiter, that is just one step in building your network that will lead to your next great job.

2. Professional Actors know the odds are against them; they don’t let that bother them

When an actor walks into a waiting room, everyone in that room looks the same. That’s what the casting director asked the agents to provide. The professional actor knows this and accepts it.  This part of the industry is outside the control of the professional actor, so no time is wasted worrying about it. Instead, professional actors focus forward; they are already searching for other auditions on the days they are auditioning.

Lesson: Don’t worry about how many other applicants there are. Apply and then focus on finding the next opportunity.

3. Professional Actors conduct themselves with a professional attitude

The professional actor understands that the audition begins before leaving home and ends after departure from the audition. Everything in between is strictly professional. If lines were made available in advance, they are memorized. If monologues are expected, then at least two distinct monologues are available without hesitation. If the actor’s resume indicates singing or dancing ability, then those talents can be displayed upon request.

Professional actors understand that the Casting Director is not the enemy, but actually a cheerleader.  Why? Because the Casting Director is looking for someone to solve the problem at hand, namely “Who can I find to do this job really well?” The Casting Director wants the Professional Actor to be that someone. That solves the problem.

Most importantly, if at the end of the audition, the actor is asked to try again then the professional actor makes an adjustment and continues. The professional actor understands that the Casting Director needs to find someone who can do the job. Demonstrating flexibility without hesitation can tip the balance in one’s favor.

Lesson:  Be your best from the moment you leave your house to the moment you return.

4. Professional Actors understand and accept that life is not fair

Example: a Fortune 100 company wanted a young guy and a young gal to be the happy couple in the big commercial campaign. This was a huge campaign with a budget to match. Getting cast in the commercial would be akin to winning a lottery jackpot.

The Casting Director put out the call to the best Agents in town, who in turn sent their best young guys and young gals.

At the end of a long day, the Casting Director sat behind a table covered in headshots of young guys and gals.

The client entered with his entourage of friends and family. The casting director held up two pictures . “Number One Guy, Number One Gal”. Pause “Comments?”

Some minor underling hidden in the back shouted out, “His nose is too big”.

The casting director replaced one picture. “Number Two Guy, Number One Gal. Comments?”

A new voice rang out. “She doesn’t match well with him”.

Casting director tried again. “Number Two Guy, Number Two Gal. Comments?”

Silence.

Casting Director turned to her assistant – “Book ‘em”.

And so a young actress lost a job because someone thought a guy’s nose was too big.

Bad break, right? Except of course, it also meant that a different actress got the job, because someone thought a guy’s nose was too big.

Lesson: Forces beyond your control can have a huge influence on what happens to your career. Accept it and keep going.

5. Professional Actors remain positive before, during and after an audition

Every professional actor has at least two universal experiences. The first one is when the audition goes perfectly. The people in the room are aglow. It is all but a formality that the part has been won. The professional actor leaves the room walking on air, knowing that the callback will be little more than a formality.

Except it never comes. No follow-up, no call, nothing.

The second universal experience belongs to the “imposter syndrome” of feeling like one is not worthy. The audition is terrible. The lines get flubbed, the performance is weak, the professional actor all but collapses in a heap in front of the casting director. The day ends with a question of whether or not it is too late to go back to school and learn a meaningful trade.

And then the word comes through – we want you for the role.

Lesson: You cannot know for a fact how you are being perceived, only whether or not you are doing your best. Believe in yourself, and let it go. Please remember, there is nothing guaranteed about finding work, regardless of career choice. But thinking like an actor might help you maintain a perspective that supports your professional journey, wherever it may take you