# How do I get a job that I wouldn't normally?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-job-that-i-wouldnt-normally/147952>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 11, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-job-that-i-wouldnt-normally/147952 "2003-01-11T14:19:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-job-that-i-wouldnt-normally/147952/1 "2003-01-11T14:19:35Z")

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I’m a uni student, doing a Communications degree and majoring in Journalism and Video.

It’s too early for me to be thinking about getting a job, and working in the real world, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do it, right?

So anyway, I notice this advertisement on a website,

> [@](#):
>
> Fly TV is looking for a presenter/producer to join its Sydney team from January 2003. You’ll be required to research, present, shoot and edit your own stories. Training will be provided.  
> If you think you’ve got what it takes send us your CV, photo and showreel( if you’ve got one!) to

And I think, “hey I could do that!” Fly TV is a youth channel, I’m an actor, I know how to do all that stuff, so if training is provided, I’m overqualified!

I know, I know. It’s not that simple. And I can think of a thousand reasons why I shouldn’t get that job. But I think I’ll apply. What do I have to lose?

So, what can I do to better my chances? How do I go about making them believe that despite not even having finished my degree, I can do all that shit better than anyone else can?

And, what’s a “showreel”?

(And, I have no idea why it says "from Jan 2003 in the ad, considering it’s already Jan 2003. All I know is that the ad is till up there, so I might as well give it a go)

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**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-job-that-i-wouldnt-normally/147952/2 "2003-01-11T17:26:10Z")

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Showreel is probably a video. I’d make up a little story with you as presenter and have someone make a video of it for submission to the potential employer. Good luck!

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**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-job-that-i-wouldnt-normally/147952/3 "2003-01-11T17:30:55Z")

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Go for it. What have you got to lose?

The actor who plays “Angel” on the TV show of the same name, and on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” got his job by sneaking into the studio and making a nuisance of himself to various producers, who liked his looks and his chutzpah.

Now he’s got his own show, and makin’ lotsa bucks.