Changing Modeling Agencies

Changing Modeling AgenciesChanging Modeling AgenciesBreaking up is hard to do. Whether youve been with yourmodeling agency for 5 months or 5 years, its never easy to cut ties and explore other opportunities. But, there may come a time when you feel the need to move on. Whatever your reasons, switching agencies is a big deal and you need to make aya youre doing it for the right reasons, and that youre doing it in the right way. The Right Reasons to Switch Modeling Agencies Your agency is no longer excited about you. Has your agent dropped off the radar? Have they stopped pushing your career? No longer booking you job after job? Sure, business might be slow, but your agency also might have stopped submitting you for jobs. If this is the case, its time for a serious chat with your agent to find out whats really going on.Your agency has the wrong clients for your look. If you have a high-fashion look but are signed to an agency that favors the commercial side of things, then youll ne ver get as many bookings as youd like. You no longer feel supported in your career goals. If your career plan doesnt match the plan your agency has set out for you, then neither of you is ever going to be happy. Before pulling the plug, though, make sure your goals are actually achievable (not every model is built to be a runway model, for example) and that your agency is actually aware of your plans.You dont get along with your agent. You and your agent dont need to be best friends, but you do need to have a professional relationship that is open, honest, and civilized. If you find yourself avoiding all communication with your agent because youre afraid and/or uncomfortable, it might be time to move on. They have a bad reputation. No model wants to be associated with an unprofessional organization thats known for losing models and clients.A better opportunity has come up. If another agency has better clients, better agents, better pay, and better terms, then signing with them might be just what your career needs. Just dont jump the gun and let your emotions lead the way, though. Before signing with any agency, no matter how great they seem, you still need to do your homework and research them thoroughly. The Wrong Reasons to Switch Modeling Agencies Youd rather be signed to a big-name agency...just because. Remember, bigger isnt always better. While being on the roster of an elite agency does come with a certain amount of prestige, it doesnt guarantee work. Youll be a small fish in a big modeling pond, and that means lots of competition and less personal attention. Not always the best environment for a blossoming modeling career. Consider sticking with your smaller agency, unless of course it actually makes sense for you to step up.Youre upset/unhappy but havent tried to fix the problem. Heres the thing Its perfectly fine to want to switch agencies, but you need to a) make sure your agency is aware of your concerns and b) try to solve the issues together before leaving in a huff. The situation might be fixable with a little hard work and/or a change in direction. If its not, or if your agent is unresponsive to your needs, then at least you tried When You Are Ready to Make a Switch If youve communicated your concerns to your agent, tried your best to work it out, and are ready to sign with a new model agency, there are still a few things you need to think about before officially parting ways The legalities. Before you do anything, you need to read over your modeling contract. Many contracts require models to give at least 30 days notice (sometimes longer) in order to terminate the agreement, and some have loopholes that allow you to get out of it if the agency hasnt fulfilled specific duties (like booking you a certain amount of work, for example). If you leave before properly terminating your contract, you could face serious legal ramifications, including financial penalties. Sometimes the agency wont particularly care if your e leaving (dont take it personally) and wont bring up the contract at all. If this is the case, you should still get the agency or a lawyer to draft a termination agreement, just to cover your back. Get a Second Opinion.Whether its from an attorney or an experienced model agent getting a second opinion can be very helpful. Experienced agents at ModelScouts.comoften offer free guidance and advice if you are struggling with your decision.Dont burn bridges. The modeling industry may seem big, but in reality, it is incredibly small, and chances are youre going to run into your agent or associated professionals at some point in your career. So, its important that you leave your agency on the best terms possible. Break up with them in person if you can (Skype is a good backup plan), kindly explain your reasons, thank them for all theyve done, and wish them all the best. And, never ever badmouth them to other models, agents, or industry professionals. Theres a good chance your harsh words will get back to them, and that can greatly hurt your reputation as a professional model.

The Professional Benefits of Volunteering

The Professional Benefits of VolunteeringThe Professional Benefits of VolunteeringIf youre thinking about changing careers its often necessary to find a way to develop new skills. This is not always possible in your current stelle so doing volunteer workcan be a fantastic way of breaking into a new industry or profession.Even if youre not planning to change careers, there are numerous personal benefits of volunteering. Including volunteer work on your resume not only demonstrates you have the required skills, it shows that you are passionate, have a positive attitude, are motivated by things other than money, andthat youre willing to help others. These are attractive attributes for employers.Meeting others through volunteer work is the most common way people expand their network and such connections are invaluable for professionals. The health, psychological, and healthbenefits of volunteeringshould not also be underestimated.Aside from personal gains, the benefits of volunteering fo r the communityare immense. Although there are professional benefits of volunteering, the main motivations are normally entirely selfless.The professional benefits of volunteer workJust because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean that it is any less valuable. The skills you learn when volunteering are just as useful as those you learn in paid positions and including them on your resume is just as convincing for employers. Here are some of the professional benefits of volunteering.Gaining career experienceVolunteering gives you the weg to gain work experience in your field. If youve just graduated or are applying for entry-level jobs, you can find yourself in a chicken-and-egg situation when its hard to get your first job in your desired field. However, volunteer work is easier to find. By getting that valuable first experience under your belt you become much more employable.Trying out a new careerIt can be difficult to know which career you want to pursue without actually trying it. Taking a full-time, paid position is a big commitment and skipping between jobs and careers too regularly will make it seem to employers that you lack direction. Doing volunteer work is a fantastic way of trying something to see if its what you want to do.Training opportunitiesThough more affordable part-time courses which are emerging, the cost of education is generally getting more expensive. With this in mind, receiving free training can be as valuable, if not more so, than receiving a wage. Many organizations who use volunteers provide extensive training which can be invaluable in the long run.Improves job prospectsVolunteer work improves your job prospects for two main reasons. Firstly, in a competitive job market, professional networking is essential and volunteering is a fantastic way of expanding yours. Getting a professional recommendation from someone can significantly increase your chances of getting a job. Secondly, employers look favorably on job applicants who have volunteer work on their resume. It makes a very positive impression.How to list volunteer work on your resumeShould you include volunteer work on your resume?Resumes should be as concise as possible which means space is limited. You should include volunteer work on your resume if1) The position demonstrates that you have skills which are relevant to the job youre applying for.2) You are writing a student resumeor ab entry-level resume and have limited experience.3) You have gaps in your work experience section on your resume to fill.If you decide to add volunteer work to your resume you have options. If the experience is related to your career or to the position youre applying for then you can include it in your work experience section. You should make it clear that its volunteer work by either including the word volunteer in the job title or in brackets after the job title.If the experience you gained is unrelated, you can include a Volunteer Work or Volunteer Experience section o n your resume. However, if you have gaps in your work experience, you can use any voluntary positions to plug the gaps.Many candidates use resume templates to produce professional-looking documents quickly. You should tailor your resume for each job application to meet the specific requirements of each one. Using a resume builderallows you to make quick edits.

8 Ways to Develop Better Management Common Sense

8 Ways to Develop Better Management Common Sense8 Ways to Develop Better Management Common SenseWe all like to think we have common sense. After all, its common, so most people must have it, right? When we look around, it seems like we are often surrounded bypeople who lack common sense. But what is common sense, anyway? Most of us know it when we see it more so, most of us have no harte nuss pointing it out when its missing. According to Merriam-Webster, it is, Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. When we think of someone who is lacking commons sense, were talking about the repeat offenders who, for whatever reason, seem to consistently make errors in judgment that most people wouldnt make. But is common sense teachable or is it an innate trait? We believe common sense can be learned. In fact, we dont buy into the notion that anyone is hardwired to be lacking in common sense. Try following the below steps as a guide to improving your own , or someone elses, common sense. While different people will have different results with each of these steps, people can change if they want to and are willing to work at it. Admit You Have a Problem The first step- and the hardest and most important- is to recognize theres a problem. With consistent and caring feedback, and after getting repeatedly burned, someone might have enough self-awareness to step forward and declare Im lacking common sense and I need help Without taking the first step, theres no hope. You, your employee, or co-worker is doomed to a career full of boneheaded moves. Slow Down Many errors in judgment are a result of impulsive, hasty decisions. If you know youve got a problem with common sense, you need to sacrifice decision speed for decision quality. When in doubt, sleep on it. Bite Your Tongue If there is any doubt that what youre thinking of saying might be taken the wrong way or get you in trouble, then dont say it. Yes, youll be less talkativ e and less funny, but thats a lot better than having your foot in your mouth all the time. GetFeedbackFrom Others Before you send that email, have that conversation, spend that money, or make any decisions, seek out the advice of others. Test the decision with your manager, peers, direct reports, or anyone else that can give you honest, constructive feedback. Then, make sure you listen to that feedback. Take a Personality Assessment Take theDISC,Hogan, or some other credible personality assessment to identify your natural tendencies and biases, and how those tendencies may be influencing your analysis, judgment, and decision making. Even better, have a professional help you interpret the data. Get a Coach In this case, you may even want to get a coach with a clinical background- someone that can help you examine your thought process a sounding board to test pending decisions and someone to slap you on the side of the head. Find a Role Model Find someone you admire th at always seems to make the right decisions and ask how he or she does it. Walk through a number of examples of decisions theyve made, and ask them to explain their thought process. Engage in Self-Help Read a few booksonjudgment,decision-making,problem-solving, and/orcritical thinking.