Yes, research can be boring, but researching the film industry and increasing your knowledge is crucial if you want to get off to the best start. Ask yourself, do you want to be working on set as a member of the crew or be more office-based? Would you be comfortable being self-employed or would you prefer the security of a regular paycheck? There are many questions that are so important and you need to be able to answer them for yourself.

This website is packed full of career guides, plans, resources, and industry knowledge for you to read through and study. In the case studies section, you will find examples from individuals who were once in your shoes but are now established in their careers.

The more research you do, the more you will understand the industry, and that knowledge will inform your decisions going forward. Most importantly, it will help you in deciding which area of the industry you want to specialize in.

Once you have a clear idea about which career you want to pursue, you need to focus your energy on knowing as much as you possibly can about it. This is where our career planners come in. They are broken down into three stages, with each stage having realistic goals for you to complete which are either knowledge, skills, or experience-based. Career planners can be found at the bottom of each of our career guides, along with example resumes and other resources to help you find your dream job.

Many of your questions can be answered via our resources section, which includes comprehensive resume advice and example resumes helping you understand what it takes to launch your career. 

If you haven't already, make sure you join our Facebook group. It's there for you to post requests for advice from our career advisor, to find out how other members are getting on, and to discuss all things film-related. Getting involved in this kind of community discussion will increase your knowledge and help improve your chances of becoming the next Tarantino or Spielberg. You can post your resume for feedback, ask for help, talk about applications and get tips and tricks for getting ahead. 

And don't forget, if you have a question about your MFJF account or a job that you have applied for, you can always send us an email and we will respond as soon as we can. 

It's easy to jump straight in and start applying for anything and everything. Don't do it! 

Before you apply for anything, make sure you research the industry, review the relevant career planner to determine which stage of your career you're in, and most importantly -  change your resume using our resume advice. Once you've done all of these things, you are ready to apply for the jobs.

Take your time. Only apply for those jobs that are right for you and your chosen career. Before you apply for any job, check through the details to make sure you have the skills and experience required by the employer. Make sure your cover letter is tailored for that job and follow our resume advice to give yourself the best chance possible. 

We promise to ensure that My First Job In Film remains a vibrant community of new filmmakers, with up-to-date resources to help you improve your industry knowledge. Our aim is to help you improve your applications and to provide you with lots of exclusive and exciting opportunities in film. 

Whilst we love success stories about members who find work through the site, we are aware that not everyone will find a job using our service. What we can promise to all of our members, is that we will provide you with valuable career advice and industry information, giving you access to the tools and knowledge that you need to start your film career.

If you would like to tell us about a success that you've had, or if you would like to send us some feedback about the site or believe we can do a better job, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] We are here to help!

You have a passion for film, but little or no work experience in the industry. You might be fresh out of school, university or you might be embarking on a career change. Your initial focus should be on increasing your knowledge and skills, thereby improving your chances of success when applying for opportunities. These are all factors you can control, by researching and adding technical skills to your armory, as well as volunteering or simply picking up a camera and getting examples of your work online.

You have advanced knowledge and understanding of the industry, so your focus is on gaining experience and building up your list of industry contacts. Collaborations and internships are perfect for you as they add valuable experience to your resume. One key task is to get industry references, as these are a crucial way to elevate your applications.

You have a resume with multiple credits or internships and some excellent references, so you are set to find a permanent position and/or have established your own network of contacts to help you find regular, sustainable work.