Use the “Power Prep” to Land Your Next Job
Prepping for a Hollywood meeting is more than just picking out the clothes you’re going to wear - you have to be part detective, part researcher, and part performer. It’s finding out everything you can about the person you’re meeting, the company they work for, prepping yourself emotionally and intellectually and then, yes, choosing a killer outfit.
Here are 5 tips to help you “power prep” for your next meeting like a boss:
1. First, WHO are you meeting?
This one should be a no brainer. Find out everything you can about the person you’re meeting with before the meeting. Look into their professional background: What’s their current title? What companies did they work for before? What projects have they been involved with? Any major accomplishments? Awards? Also, try to research their personal life (don’t be a stalker!) just enough to find out if you two have any common ground for conversation. Like, where did they go to college? What are their hobbies?
*Pro tip: if you have a mentor and they know the person you’re meeting with, get them to give the person a quick call before or after the meeting to say how great you are (decide with your mentor what timing seems like the best strategy).
2. Come up with interesting questions (that you genuinely want to know)
If you ask interesting and perceptive questions, you’ll set yourself apart from the rest. (This is where all that research comes in handy.) Ask them how they beat out the competition for a major actor they just landed? Or what the most challenging part of working on a specific project was? Choose questions that show you’ve done your research (without verging into stalker territory). This also includes prepping a few great ice-breakers. Think, light and non-controversial. Bonus points if you can use your research to bring up something you have in common.
3. Practice Your Personal Pitch
When you’re meeting with a Hollywood higher-up, it’s easy to feel like they’re the one in the power position. Yes, they can offer connections, advice, maybe even a job - but you have plenty to offer too. Show up with enthusiasm, and be ready to share your insights, and personal point of view. And definitely be prepared to talk about yourself. Figure out which character traits you want to emphasize and polish the personal anecdotes you have developed that demonstrate them. Then find clever ways to gracefully insert stories that showcase your passion, and work ethic (these stories don’t necessarily have to be work-related. Maybe you have a great story about running your first marathon, or traveling solo around India).
After choosing a few anecdotes to have in your back pocket, brush up on your personal logline until it flies off your tongue (if it’s been a minute since your last meeting, practice on a friend or into your phone). Trust me, the more prepared you are with your personal pitch, the more relaxed and confident you’ll feel walking into that meeting (or logging onto Zoom).
4. Logistics matter
Meetings can be stressful enough, don’t add to your anxiety by being late or getting lost.
Always confirm the date, time, and place the day before (if it’s a Zoom meeting, check to make sure you have the Zoom link). If it’s an in-person meeting, figure out how long it will take to get there (most GPS apps have a function that helps you pre-estimate traffic conditions and travel times). Especially in Los Angeles, it’s good to live by the rule: being ten minutes early is being on time. This will make your entire commute there less stressful, give you time to find parking if necessary, and give you a few minutes to relax, breathe and get focused before you get out of your car.
5. Dress to impress - Hollywood style
Even if you’re interviewing for the lowliest PA job, always dress to impress - Hollywood style. There are two basic “rules”: don’t wear a suit (unless you’re trying to become an agent or manager) and don’t be a slob. Hollywood style is a lot like the industry itself, casual on the surface, but totally business underneath. Think casual-chic or pressed and presentable (just no suits). Nothing old, faded, stained, no shirts with anything too political or radical, and nothing too revealing. Finally, shower, don’t wear perfume, and invest in a good haircut. All of this might sound vain, but it’s not. Our first impression of a person is what they look like - make it count.
If you put time and energy into your power prep, you’ll be ready to walk into any room with confidence and give good meeting.
To learn more about how to power prep, check out my book Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP). You might also be interested in checking out my in-depth video course: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.
How do you “power prep” for meeting success? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!
And to learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.