INTERVIEWING If a girl walked into the room and didn't smile, greet them, and show enthusiasm, they view it as if they were just not interested no matter how beautiful she might be: “I once got a job because I sat up straight in the waiting room with a smile on my face. There were a lot of girls there for the same job, but I got it because the clients liked that first impression. You just never know who is watching you, or when.”
RUDE BEHAVIOR Professional behavior and a good attitude are essential to success. Be reliable, punctual, adaptable, considerate, pleasant, and loyal. A bad attitude will end a career before it starts. If you have had a fight with your boyfriend, a disagreement with your parents, or you just don't feel like giving 100 percent, you must lose the pout and lack of energy that goes with it before you go on an interview!
REJECTION AND HANDLING CHALLENGES WITH MATURITY Teenagers are the future of every profession. In the modeling world, they are the reason the industry exists. I am constantly researching the modeling industry and interviewing young models, and I am always impressed with their passion and determination. As this is the time of year when many young women are thinking of career paths, they can learn a great deal about professionalism from the young model. These girls must learn the ropes of their business quickly in order to survive in a competitive profession riddled with rejection. The same commitment applies to contestants in beauty pageants, prospective cheerleaders, aspiring actors, young people involved in playing sports, and in fact to all teenagers no matter what their goals.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE How you look and feel depends greatly on a healthy lifestyle. Your face will show the first signs of fatigue, which can often be interpreted as a lack of interest or boredom. There are 3,500 calories in a pound of body weight. To control weight you must understand the intake and output of these calories. Intake is the easy part! Output means exercise. Balance is everything. Time and effort spent on learning good nutrition is a good investment. Exercise in moderation, follow a healthy and balanced diet, and get adequate sleep. We all need discipline and boundaries in our lives. Learn good habits while you are young and you will have less stress to deal with as you pursue your dreams.
INSECURITY Everyone is insecure in some measure. One time a beautiful model told me: “We are always looking over our shoulders to see who the next new face will be.” A little insecurity is good for us, for it keeps us humble and makes us nicer people. In order to keep a lack of self-confidence to a minimum, though, it helps to educate yourself in every aspect of your prospective career or interest. Also, having your wardrobe in good shape; keeping your hair, nails and teeth looking their best; and acquiring some general knowledge of current events will help to boost your confidence during interviews or auditions.
CONFIDENCE Both Casting Directors and Talent Agencies look for talent who can take care of themselves, hold a conversation, and answer questions or express opinions on current topics. I offer this very important advice: “Believe in yourself and be yourself.” If you try to be something you're not, it becomes transparent very quickly. If you are prepared, look and feel great and are honest in your approach, you will feel confident. Even if you do not choose to pursue a modeling career, you can learn a great deal from the young model who handles these challenging situations. Here's one final piece of advice that virtually everyone in the modeling industry would endorse: “Don't give up your dream!” |