How To Land Your Dream Job As A Production Manager

If you want to land your dream job as a production manager, there are some things that you need to do. You have to know how much your profession is worth, and how much of what you’re asking is good business sense. 

A production manager is one of the most important people in any film or TV show, so it’s important that you know all about this job before applying for it.

20 -5 tips for landing your dream job in product management
Takeaways
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for production manager positions.
Showcase your knowledge of production processes, quality control, and team management during interviews.
Network with professionals in the industry to expand your connections and increase job opportunities.
Continuously develop your skills and stay updated on industry trends to stay competitive as a production manager.
Negotiate your salary based on industry standards and your qualifications to ensure fair compensation.

Study Classic Films And TV Shows

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of movies and TV shows that have come and gone over the years. But if you want to land a dream job in production management, it’s important for you to study classic films and television series.

To start, take a look at some of your favorite films or TV shows. Then, look at their credits who made them? Who worked on them? Who worked with those people who worked on them? 

By studying those who have succeeded in the industry, you can better understand why they were so successful, as well as what steps they took while climbing the ladder towards success (and what mistakes they may have made along the way).

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Check Out The Production Budget Of Your Favorite Films

The next step in your journey is to study the production budget of your favorite films. What you want to do is look up their budgets and see how much each person or department was paid.

For example, let’s say we’re looking at Interstellar (2014). The movie cost $165 million to make and was directed by Christopher Nolan. You can check out the full breakdown of its budget here: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=interstellar14.htm

If you scroll down on that page, you’ll see that Christopher Nolan was paid $50 million for directing this film that’s a huge chunk of change! We also learn here that Matthew McConaughey earned $9 million for starring as Cooper in this film (a pretty good deal if you ask me). 

And here’s where I’m going with all this: if I were going after a job as Production Manager on Interstellar or any other big-budget film.

I would definitely make sure my salary needs were met before taking the position because there are always other qualified candidates who would jump at such an opportunity given its payday potential! That said…

Talk To Every Single Person Who Works In The Industry

If you want to be a production manager, you need to talk to as many people in the industry as possible. The more people you talk to, the more people who will recommend you for a job.

Talk to every single person who works in the industry talk to those who are working right now, those who have worked before, and even those who are retired from it (but still have contacts). 

You should also talk to people who work in other industries so they can give you advice about making your resume stand out or preparing for an interview.

But don’t stop there! If someone tells them they know someone else who works in production management, then ask them if they would mind introducing you via email so that your contact can recommend them as well. 

By having these recommendations on your resume when applying for jobs throughout your career path will help boost their chances of getting hired because employers know how difficult finding good employees can be without network connections like this one.”

Ask Questions And Listen To Feedback

Asking questions and listening to feedback are two of the most important skills you can develop as a production manager. You’ll be responsible for hiring, firing, and maintaining a team of people who will help you get your job done.

Asking questions shows that you’re interested in getting better at the job and willing to learn from others. Listening carefully to their answers (and not just waiting for them to stop talking so you can tell them something) helps build rapport with coworkers.

And can provide valuable information about how they work best so that you can make effective decisions about how to manage them as an employee or colleague.

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Get An Agent Or Manager Who Can Help You Get A Job

Get an agent: A good agent can help you land your dream job. Find one by doing research and talking to other production managers about their experiences with agents.

What to expect from an agent: Your agent will negotiate contracts on your behalf, which means they’ll be negotiating both the payment terms of the job (how much money you make per day, week or month) and residuals (a percentage of future profits). 

You should also expect them to help you fill out paperwork like tax forms and visas as necessary.

Negotiating a contract with an agent: When negotiating with an agency, ask what other services they offer like commercial representation or publishing deals for books or music projects that may have been created while working at a company over time.

In addition to getting an excellent grasp of all things finance related by reading articles such as this one from Entrepreneur Magazine written in 2009 titled “How To Negotiate Like A Pro” written by Scott Edward Walker Esq., 

There are two main things I would recommend for anyone looking at becoming more successful when negotiating contracts with companies looking for new employees such as yourself: First off, don’t just say yes when asked if something is okay; 

Instead, give feedback about what parts do seem acceptable but then also mention additional items that might need changing before agreeing upon anything final until everything feels right; second off remember most people who work in HR departments aren’t lawyers.

So don’t feel bad asking lots questions before signing any documents because chances are they won’t know much either since most contracts have already been finalized prior so don’t let fear hold back progress!

Make Sure You Have A Good Portfolio Before Sending Out Your Resume

What Is A Portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of your best work, which can be in any creative field. In the world of digital production, you might include a link to your website or social media accounts. 

You could also include screenshots from projects you’ve worked on and any awards or accolades you’ve received in relation to those projects. 

All of these things are helpful for your prospective employer to see as they consider whether or not you’re the right person for this position.

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What Should I Put In My Portfolio?

When putting together your portfolio, make sure to include examples of your best work that show off both technical expertise and creativity, and don’t forget about copywriting! Some employers may ask for resumes with cover letters; 

Others might ask only for applications via email or LinkedIn profiles (for more on these options see How To Apply section below). 

If they do request an application with cover letter (as many do), make sure it’s easy to read and concise without being too formal/stiff sounding; 

Remember: at this point in time we just want them interested enough in us so that when we do get invited for an interview then we have something really good going into it!

Leverage Social Media To Find Out About Job Opportunities

Social media is a great way to network with people in your industry, find out about job opportunities, learn about companies and their culture, and keep up with the latest trends.

It’s important not to spam people on social media or leave comments that are too salesy or promotional. Instead, use these sites as an opportunity to make connections with other professionals who work in the same industry as you do.

If someone posts something that relates to what you do for a living or even if it doesn’t comment on it! It’s always better to be helpful than self-promotional when engaging others online.

Write A Great Cover Letter For Your Resume

A cover letter is a great way to show employers that you’re enthusiastic about their company and the position. A well-written one can make all the difference in whether or not an employer looks at your resume. Here are some tips on how to write an effective cover letter:

Know what you’re applying for before you write the cover letter. Know who will be reading it, what they’re looking for and what they need from someone who fills this role at this company. 

Then create a narrative around these things using strong but concise language that highlights why you’re a good fit for them specifically.

In addition to your own personal story, it’s also important to know some facts about the company itself: its mission statement, values and history; its competitors; products and services offered; etc., so that whatever story you tell about yourself (and why) aligns with theirs (and why).

Practice Interviewing If You’re Going To Do It For A Living

If you’re going to be interviewing for a living, practice interviewing. It will help give you a sense of what the process is like and how to prepare for it.

Practice interviewing with friends who are willing to play the part of an interviewer. Be sure to role-play being on both sides of the table (i.e., interviewee and interviewer).

Have someone who works in your field conduct mock interviews with you as an applicant looking for work or as an employer conducting interviews. 

You can also hire a professional recruiter or career coach to help you prepare for interviews in person or online by Skype or phone call (this may be particularly helpful if English is not your first language).

Practice interviewing with people from different cultures, genders and races than yourself so that when faced with these situations outside of practice sessions, it won’t come as such a surprise or shock!

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Don’t Be Afraid To Ask People What They Think Of You

You’ll want to ask for feedback from your boss and colleagues, who can give an honest opinion about how you are perceived in the office. If you’re nervous about asking for feedback, just remember that it is their job to be supportive of you as well!

In addition to asking for feedback from those around you, consider taking a self-assessment test. There are several free resources online that can provide insight into how you’re perceived by others. 

This kind of information will help show where there might be room for improvement in certain areas like communication skills or time management.

When giving feedback to your peers and superiors, keep in mind that honesty is important but tactfulness is equally key. 

Depending on what kind of relationship exists between the two people involved (i.e., if they’re friends), some negative comments may need to be delivered delicately without hurting anyone’s feelings too much while still being truthful enough.

So as not to seem like fluffing things over instead of being real about what went wrong/could’ve been done better/etcetera–which also means being sure not make any assumptions before first checking out whether or not those assumptions might even warrant questioning at all!

Start Networking On Linkedin, Twitter, And Other Social Media Sites

If you use LinkedIn or Twitter, start connecting with people in your industry. You can also find groups that are relevant to your job search and join them to get advice from those who have been there before you.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If something seems confusing, ask someone for help! Don’t assume that everyone knows what you do or how it works they probably won’t unless they work closely with production managers like yourself every day!

Ask for help with all aspects of your job search (not just the big things like writing cover letters; also small things like finding out where the best restaurants near the office are located). 

The more people know about what this job means to YOU personally (and not just how much money it pays), then the better chance YOU have at landing that dream position as a Production Manager

Know How Much Your Profession Is Worth, And How Much Of What You’re Asking Is Good Business Sense

There’s a difference between what you’re asking for and what you’re worth. The former is about your personal needs and desires, while the latter is about how much of an asset and value-add your company could get by hiring you. 

Whether or not it’s realistic to ask for a certain salary depends on this difference, but often times if something seems too high there are other ways to make up for it (like offering more vacation time). 

It’s important that you know this so that when someone tells you no or says they can’t go higher than some number, they don’t think it’s because they don’t value your services enough.

It may just be a matter of economics! You’ll have more negotiating power if both sides understand where each other is coming from.

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Conclusion

Remember that no matter how hard you work, there will always be someone else who can do it better. 

You need to know what your profession is worth, and how much of what you’re asking for is good business sense. It’s also important not to lose sight of why this job means so much to you in the first place!

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

How to Land Your Dream Job: This blog post provides valuable insights and tips on strategies to secure your dream job and stand out from the competition.

Tips to Successfully Apply for Production Manager Jobs: Explore this article to learn practical advice and best practices for applying to production manager positions and increasing your chances of success.

6 Steps to Your Dream Job: Discover a step-by-step guide to achieving your dream job, including tips for resume building, networking, and interview preparation.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about landing your dream job:

How can I stand out from other applicants during the job application process?

Employers receive numerous applications for each job opening, so it’s crucial to differentiate yourself. Some strategies include tailoring your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, conducting thorough research on the company to demonstrate your knowledge and interest, and following up after submitting your application to express your continued interest.

How important is networking in finding and securing a dream job?

Networking plays a significant role in the job search process. Building connections and relationships with professionals in your field can provide valuable insights, job leads, and potential referrals. Attending industry events, joining professional associations, and utilizing online networking platforms can help expand your network and uncover hidden job opportunities.

How can I prepare effectively for a job interview?

Preparing for a job interview involves researching the company, understanding the job requirements, and practicing your responses to common interview questions. It’s essential to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and fit for the role. Additionally, preparing thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer demonstrates your interest and engagement.

Should I negotiate my salary when offered a job?

Negotiating your salary can be a crucial step in securing a job that aligns with your financial goals. Research the average salary range for similar positions in your industry and consider your qualifications and experience. When negotiating, approach the conversation professionally and confidently, emphasizing the value you bring to the organization.

How can I continue to grow and advance in my career after landing my dream job?

Continual learning and professional development are essential for long-term career growth. Seek opportunities to expand your skills through training programs, certifications, or pursuing higher education. Additionally, proactively seeking new challenges, taking on leadership roles, and building a strong professional network can help you advance in your career.