The California State University Entertainment Alliance (CSUEA) partnered with Pipelines is sponsoring a series of “Zoominars” offering tips on how to get hired in a pandemically challenged jog market. Photo by The California State University Entertainment Alliance

By Carina Noyola, Staff Reporter

Even during a pandemic, media companies are hiring for entry-level positions, and while resumes and cover letters remain important, don’t overlook the importance of lighting during your virtual interview. 

Those were three of the factors touched on Thursday during a “Pandemically Challenged Job Hunt” zoominar sponsored by the California State University Entertainment Alliance and Pipel

The webinar, the second of a four-part series examining different aspects of getting a job in a media-related field, featured a panel of five women from media companies including a couple of heavyweights: Viacom CBS was represented by Karla Melara, its campus-to-career manager, and Senior Recruiter Amy Sanchez represented Disney. The panel also included: Samantha Stormo, head of production for NCompass; Heidi Espejo, talent director for Saatchi & Saatchi; and Shari Holly, director of operations for Pipelines, who was also a moderator.

The two-hour conference was attended by 300 people who listened to the panel outlined some do’s and don’ts regarding applying and interviewing for a job in a media-related subfield, such as advertising, web designing, film and production, and others.  The four-part series is directed at students and professionals who are interested in formatting themselves and their brand towards getting that perfect job opportunity.

A large majority of the meeting was catered to the formatting of resume submissions. A big factor covered was resume formatting, including using a clear font, and making sure that spelling and grammar are accurate and consistent as well as keeping a “polished” yet eye-catching feel to the preferred one-page document. 

Cover letters were touched in a clear and concise portion. The panel suggested that those looking to join the media field build their cover letter to match their individual experience with the prospective company’s mission statement. The importance of relatable experience was one that the group cohesively agreed upon. 

While little in the resume and cover letter segments of the webinar seemed much different from the pre-pandemic world, interviewing definitely was. The panel highlighted the importance of Zoom etiquette and offered insight into the experience of both interviewer and interview during the virtual meet.

The importance of the right background, lighting and “tech check” as Stormo called it was agreed upon throughout the panel.   Holly, Pipelines’ director of operations, recommended the use of a “polished” appearance and stressed the importance of going with the flow in order to deal with the technological glitches that may arise in a virtual interview experience.

The next of the four-part series, scheduled for Oct. 29, will focus on ESports 101: Careers in Gaming & Entertainment, and the final one, Nov. 12, will center on  Inclusion & Diversity in Design, Animation, Visual Media, & Immersive Reality. For more information please visit the CSUEH LinkedIn page or the CSUEH Website.