How to find a job in California

California (CA) is the most populous of the American states and a thriving centre for tourism, business, commerce and home to Hollywood – mythical home of the film industry. Indeed, the state’s Gross State Product (GSP) is the largest of any state at $1.812 trillion - 13% of the country’s GDP. In this article, we will give a guide to different CA jobs and work in California.

Film industry, acting and agents jobs

Film industry California is, of course, home to Hollywood – the area which plays host to much of the industry and, indeed, a word which in itself has become a byword for the entertainment industry with all associated dreams of stardom. In this industry, there are many jobs for those involved in the making of films including cameramen, sound engineers, runners, casting directors, technical support, stunt doubles, researchers and of course the actors themselves and the directorial and production teams.
Actors There are plenty of opportunities for actors, but there are also many, many budding actors clamouring to take these opportunities. This means that the ‘Hollywood dream’ can turn sour for many. Often budding actors will take on casual, part-time jobs such as bartending or waitressing to make ends’ meat, while they audition and build up their contacts in the city. Agents There are also many jobs in fields surrounding the entertainment industry, such as agents. As depicted by popular TV show Entourage, these are companies which find work for their clients in the entertainment industry who in turn pay to be represented by certain agencies. Some agents will be freelance, for example, representing friends who are trying their hand at the industry. However, most will be attached to a large company such as the one Ari Gold works for in entourage.

Other jobs and how to get jobs

Other film industry jobs In this sector, there are many other job openings, especially jobs in LA. For example, there are many PAs, publicists, researchers, press officers and public relations people. Some of these are attached to agencies as described above. However, many are also variously employed by actors or actor’s companies or production companies. Other jobs Other notable jobs in California include jobs in media (e.g. the Los Angeles Times), jobs in its world-renowned fashion industry and jobs in the hospitality sector (California is known for its tourism). How to get these jobs As aforementioned, ‘networking’ is a good way to gets jobs, especially in the notoriously cliquey entertainment industry. Other ways people can get jobs in California is by looking in newspapers, online, signing up to employment agencies, looking at in-store vacancy ads or by just trying one’s luck and handing/emailing out resumes.