Job no longer active...Arrrgh!

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	Topic: Job no longer active...Arrrgh!
Posted : 10/05/10 / Views : 801 / Replies : 6 /
Stephanie.Gunner 10 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Hello everyone, sorry but just need to get this off my chest! I've just conscientiously written out an application in response to a Casting Call, which CCP notified me about today. I researched the company, found out names of addressees, explained why I'd be suitable based on their, and my, previous work, only to click on the link to find out 'This job is no longer active'. It had a closing date of 21st May and it was only posted a few hours ago! I know it's the nature of the beast but crikey, you've got to be quick round here! I know posters get a lot of responses but I don't want to hastily scrabble out a badly written application just in case I've only got an hour to respond. Anyone else had this experience?

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	Reply #1
Posted : 07/05/10
amandaj 226 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Yes I definitely have.I'm conscientious in my responses too - but if it's paid you really have to crack on! It's good to have letter prototypes which you adapt.However, the more applications you make, the quicker you get.The more you tailor things to the job the better, but strike a balance between detail and speed, and keep them to no more than 3 or 4 short paragraphs.

	Reply #2
Posted : 07/05/10
peterhalpin 236 posts last on: 5 hours send private reply	If it helps at all for future applications, I have spoken to people who work from the other side, i.e. those that receive our applications to cast for roles! They have all said pretty much the same that they want to get short, concise cover letters from sites like this. Relate briefly to appropriate previous work, give any specific details they have asked for in the brief and your contact info. As you say, they often get loads of applications in a short space of time, so they don't want to be reading lengthy letters 50 times in an hour! They'll knock it down to a shortlist based on photo, poss showreel if applicable and your experience, which they can look into in more detail later from your CV. I find I get a pretty good hit rate from here with cover letters like the ones below I recently sent out: Hi, I have good experience of corporate shoots, having both acted and presented on them. I have also played the businessman role on several occasions. I am London based and my contact info is below. Many thanks, Peter Halpin 07984 218289 peter@peterhalpin.co.uk Hi, I have a lot of very good presenting experience, including shoots that have required script learning and technical jargon. I have also done many a corporate/video shoot and numerous training/tutorial presenting jobs. My showreel is on my CCP profile here and my full presenting CV is available here: http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/cv.asp?ref=M103176&pub=6 I am free on the 19th for the proposed shoot date and am London based. Many thanks, Peter Halpin 07984 218289 pete_halpin@hotmail.com Hope that is of some help and wasn't too patronising as I'm afraid it may read!!

Reply #2

Posted : 07/05/10

peterhalpin
236 posts
last on: 5 hours
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If it helps at all for future applications, I have spoken to people who work from the other side, i.e. those that receive our applications to cast for roles!

They have all said pretty much the same that they want to get short, concise cover letters from sites like this.

Relate briefly to appropriate previous work, give any specific details they have asked for in the brief and your contact info. As you say, they often get loads of applications in a short space of time, so they don't want to be reading lengthy letters 50 times in an hour!

They'll knock it down to a shortlist based on photo, poss showreel if applicable and your experience, which they can look into in more detail later from your CV.

I find I get a pretty good hit rate from here with cover letters like the ones below I recently sent out:

Hi,

I have good experience of corporate shoots, having both acted and presented on them. I have also played the businessman role on several occasions. I am London based and my contact info is below.

Many thanks,

Peter Halpin
07984 218289
peter@peterhalpin.co.uk

Hi,

I have a lot of very good presenting experience, including shoots that have required script learning and technical jargon. I have also done many a corporate/video shoot and numerous training/tutorial presenting jobs.

My showreel is on my CCP profile here and my full presenting CV is available here:

http://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/cv.asp?ref=M103176&pub=6

I am free on the 19th for the proposed shoot date and am London based.

Many thanks,

Peter Halpin
07984 218289
pete_halpin@hotmail.com

Hope that is of some help and wasn't too patronising as I'm afraid it may read!!

	Reply #3
Posted : 08/05/10
AmandaFullerton 132 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	I couldn't agree more Peter, keep it brief I have been on the other side and the rate of applications in a hour can swamp you. You have then to be very ruthless and get rid of anyone that doesn't look right and then get a smaller more manageable list to probe a bit further, showreels/CV etc. It is not worth spending time researching ( although I think researching is worthwhile sometimes)and writing a considered application only to find you have missed the boat and the application is closed. We had to close our applications an hour after posting as we already had well over 100 actors to choose from! Speed is crucial on paid work!! Just my thoughts, of course not Gospel!

Reply #3

Posted : 08/05/10

AmandaFullerton
132 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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I couldn't agree more Peter, keep it brief I have been on the other side and the rate of applications in a hour can swamp you. You have then to be very ruthless and get rid of anyone that doesn't look right and then get a smaller more manageable list to probe a bit further, showreels/CV etc.
It is not worth spending time researching ( although I think researching is worthwhile sometimes)and writing a considered application only to find you have missed the boat and the application is closed. We had to close our applications an hour after posting as we already had well over 100 actors to choose from!
Speed is crucial on paid work!!
Just my thoughts, of course not Gospel!

	Reply #4
Posted : 08/05/10
katekavs 178 posts last on: 10/01/12 send private reply	Several of the jobs that I have got and been seen for which posted on this site were through a personal application made direct to the company. I know this won't be appropriate in many cases, but particularly with theatre work a direct email or a phone call can set you aside from the 100s of applications received throught this site. You said you did a lot of research into the company and clearly have a strong desire for this role, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste. Best wishes Xx

Reply #4

Posted : 08/05/10

katekavs
178 posts
last on: 10/01/12
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Several of the jobs that I have got and been seen for which posted on this site were through a personal application made direct to the company. I know this won't be appropriate in many cases, but particularly with theatre work a direct email or a phone call can set you aside from the 100s of applications received throught this site. You said you did a lot of research into the company and clearly have a strong desire for this role, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.
Best wishes
Xx

	Reply #5
Posted : 09/05/10
Stephanie.Gunner 10 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Hi everyone, many thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it! I have been keeping my answers short, but they could be even shorter, and I think it's more about having the confidence to let my CV and photo speak for themselves. I have this urge to self-justify and explain when it's probably not needed! I will phone the company in question tomorrow morning (tried before but no-one there on the weekend) to double-check if there's any chance of applying directly, otherwise will chalk this one up to experience! Thanks for letting me vent, and thanks again for all your help. Best wishes xx

Reply #5

Posted : 09/05/10

Stephanie.Gunner
10 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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Hi everyone, many thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it!

I have been keeping my answers short, but they could be even shorter, and I think it's more about having the confidence to let my CV and photo speak for themselves. I have this urge to self-justify and explain when it's probably not needed!

I will phone the company in question tomorrow morning (tried before but no-one there on the weekend) to double-check if there's any chance of applying directly, otherwise will chalk this one up to experience! Thanks for letting me vent, and thanks again for all your help.

Best wishes xx

	Reply #6
Posted : 10/05/10
Magnus.Holvold 42 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Thank you so much for these tips. As someone just starting out, this kind of thing is very useful to know. Magnus

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