So, you’re looking to get hired in the outdoor industry but are unsure where to start? Here’s some insight from someone who started at the very bottom. I was an unpaid intern driving 150 miles a day to work for free. While this may not be the only way, these tactics helped me land my first paid job, so they should have some merit.
No Task is Beneath You
To get your foot in the door, be willing to do the work others may not want to do. Perform every job with pride and give it your all. This doesn’t mean you have to do these tasks forever, but it shows your willingness to help wherever needed. Whether it’s logging footage, writing scripts, prepping gear, booking flights or buying licenses, do it to the best of your ability.
Be the Opposite of High Maintenance
Most people in this industry are on the road a lot, and nobody wants to be around someone who creates issues or makes waves. The easier going you can be, the better off you are. Although the hunting industry focuses heavily on hunting, it’s actually more of a job about relationships than most might imagine. You’re constantly dealing with outfitters, guides, the public, sponsors and more. There are a lot of moving parts, and you don’t want to be worried about an employee making waves, especially if the person hiring them is super low maintenance.
Find Your Strengths
We all have strengths and weaknesses. Identify your strengths and figure out how you can best utilize them to your benefit and create a profession around them. Some people are super organized, which is helpful in planning travel, logging footage, and ensuring all details are in place. Others have a creative eye and are great at running a camera and getting the shots, but being an excellent hunter is equally important for a camera person. As a hunter, you’re only as strong as your weakest link. You don’t want someone who knows nothing about hunting by your side when you’re stalking big velvet mule deer and trying to get within bow range. Filming is like being on a team—nothing should tear you apart. Everyone needs to be on the same team with the same goal. Mistakes will happen, but with good intentions, you can get past them and move on but always remain united.
Provide Quality Content
If you’re interested in being in front of the camera, find a way to provide quality content that’s unique. Figure out what makes you unique and be authentic. The quickest way to rise and fall fast is to gain popularity for something that’s not truly you. It may go viral for a week, but you need to think long-term. Come up with something that is genuinely you and something you’re comfortable being associated with for the rest of your life. Choose wisely.
Understand That Everything Takes Time
If someone had told me how long it would take to meet some of my goals, I would have laughed and said, “No way—I’ll do it in half the time.” While I still appreciate my early enthusiasm, understand that nothing goes as fast as you’d like. It takes years to turn a profit and not run your business in the red. It takes years to build a reputation as a good person, a real hunter, or an excellent cameraman. It takes countless hours to become a solid editor. Instead of getting frustrated with the process, know that you’re constantly improving and moving closer to your end goal. Always have a goal. Write it down, make a list of where you want to be or what you want to accomplish, and take baby steps to achieve it. Your first, second or third job might not be your dream job, but if it puts you one step closer to where you want to be, then you’re moving in the right direction.
Loyalty
I can’t stress enough the importance of loyalty at every stage of your career. Always be upfront with people and tell the truth. If you receive a better offer, let your current employer know. Explain that you or your family relies on your income, and you have a hard decision to make. You’d be surprised how much people will do to keep you around if you’re good at what you do. If someone goes above and beyond to keep you, never forget that and go the extra mile for them. Sponsors will have good years and bad years. True loyalty is rare, and if you can prove yours early on, you not only become a more trustworthy employee but also a person people want to associate with. That’s priceless.
Karma
If more people truly believed in karma, the world would be a much better place in my opinion. Always strive to do good, even when no one is watching or may notice. I believe everything comes full circle. This applies to not-so-good people too—they usually get what’s coming to them eventually. Always try to leave relationships either business or personal on a good note, emit positive energy, and leave the world a better place because of your actions. It may take 5, 10 or 20 years, but people will notice. Word travels fast, and you only get one reputation. Treat it as your most valuable asset.
