Job tips from Actors

So...listening to NPR's Planet Money the other day...a podcaster brought up the topic of, "survival jobs". I'm very curious as to why so many people thought of a "survival job" as a new concept. Do we really have an entire generation of workers who have
a) never worked outside of the industry in which they are interested/trained in
b) never worked part time or for minimum wage
c) never worked strictly for money
???

That's why so many of the "economic" suggestions, tips and topics have been making me snort in disgust lately. These are the things (brown bagging lunch, walking or taking the bus to work, giving up activities and eating out) that people have been doing for YEARS in order to save money. And, in fact, the things that my parents have been doing all their lives, mostly out of personal preference, but also because they trained themselves, as starving teachers, to live without. But the authors of the podcast brought up that it's an actor concept. The typical waiter/bartender/delivery person job is flexible enough for a professional actor to go on film shoots, rehearsal and auditions. But has no one else taken these jobs because they needed to pay rent? Really?

My work path started when I was 16. Since then I've taken several jobs and was really good at them too, but only one of them has been in architecture. And the money became freedom. I think it used to torture my parents quite a lot when I would go out to eat, shop or take my insanely pricey voice lessons. The latter is totally justified; I have a second career that pays, I've met people via that second career that have helped me get back on my feet, and in 2008 - the year that sucked - the only thing I was successful at was theater. And the first two, have been cut way back. To the point, where I've literally told friends how much money I had in my wallet so that I could keep an eye on my spending.

What was very thoughtful, but not necessarily heart warming for the NPR podcasters to bring up, was the topic of the glut of people now taking on "survival jobs" pushing out and displacing people who take these jobs as their livelihood positions ie. real jobs. It's the same as the virtual upending of the Mission in San Francisco (the district) of the native workers who established themselves and built an entire community for the hipster invaders who decided that living in the seedier area of town was a better use of their time and money and dirty Chuck Taylors. And on the other side of the table, was the absolute arrogance of people who refuse to take jobs that are "beneath" them.

At lunch with two classmates last weekend, the two former architects/drafters both professed their astonishment and admiration for my new bookkeeping position. The outlook on the architectural profession is not good people. In fact, it's quite horrible unless you're interested in working in institutions (which I might be) like libraries, hospitals, schools and factories. Yeah, my training is all in commercial retail - because for the last 15 years...that's where developers' interests have lain. What was surprising is that neither of us was interested in taking a "survival" job. In fact, they seemed proud to have turned down positions they felt were beneath them. My point, is that sometimes a "survival job" turns into more opportunities than you could ever have dreamed of.

In many ways, actors have a lot to offer in the way of career advice these days.

1) Don't try to cling on to any job or any idea you have your career too closely. As people like Madonna have shown - your flexibility, evolution and willingness to embrace the new will be key to keeping you alive in many new industries. These days, think of expanding and adjusting rather than sticking to what you know.

2) Drop the act. Arrogance and stubborness and pride will get you nowhere in today's work world. Humility and a willingness to learn will get you far. Yesterday's personal assistant is today's star on Broadway or movie set.

3) Work hard, research your new job role the way you research a new character. Be willing to take direction, but also make sure you bring something to the table.

4) Diversify. TV, commercials, modeling, movies, stage and print. Fashion and cosmetic lines. Endorsements. A lot of actors do it all including their "joe job". If you're an MBA, but have always had an interest in teaching - take a weekend job coaching or helping run an afterschool program or a youth program at a local community center. You never know when a second job turns into a second career that you can turn to in times of trouble.

5) Keep learning. Actors are always going back into their coaches to adjust, rebuild and enhance their skills. Plus it keeps your brain active. They're always reading new plays/scripts, adding or building upon talents like dancing, playing an instrument, writing or surfing.

6) Build your team. No man is an island and most successful actors have: an agent, attorney, personal assistant, trainer, life coach/therapist, business advisor and style/image consultant. (and a bevy of press agents, hairdressers, make-up artists, dressers, drivers and housecleaners/nannies) While you probably don't need to put any of these people on retainer; if you want to move up, you gotta spend some dough to make dough. Taking new head shots or creating your reel can bring in more jobs and is a great investment. Make some calls, consult some experts.

7) At the same time know when to save your cash. Roth IRAs are great for non-taxed savings. And there are several other funds you can invest in that are similar. There are some great CD options out there now as well as money market funds that you can "store" your money in. Actors are notorious for knowing how to live cheaply, but after a while-you find you have a nice little cushion to put aside for a rainy day.

NRP Planet Money Podcast & Blog