5 Tips For Models: How To Get Hired

When looking to get hired for a modeling job, the first thing you should know is that word of mouth is one of the best ways to get work. The following tips are the things that photographers, makeup artists, and creative directors look for, and discuss with each other, when it comes time to find a model.

1. Social Media: Keep a separate account specifically for modeling. When discussing a prospective model, the first thing asked is “what’s their IG?”. Your social media should show your modeling skills not random selfies with filters all over the place. Have a family and friends account for that. Keep your modeling accounts professional. It’s an online portfolio so show only your best work.
   
2. Communication Skills: Respond to all requests to work, if you’re available to work, say so. If you’re not available, say so, do not ignore someone who is reaching out to hire you. Also, stay in communication with the team that has hired you throughout the planning process. Be prompt with replies it shows professionalism. If you need to cancel from a job, give the person who hired you ample time to find a replacement with the understanding that emergencies do happen.
   
3. Be prepared: It may seem obvious but showing up for a job not ready to work will surely keep you from getting future work. Leave personal issues at the door. Separate your personal and professional lives. Your full attention should be with the job you were hired to do. If wardrobe is your responsibility for the shoot, be sure to bring more than you think you’ll need. Better to not use something than to not be able to get the correct look for the team. Most importantly, be on time. Showing up late, for whatever the reason, drags down the entire shoot and destroys the timeline of the day.
   
4. Take care of yourself: Modeling is about your appearance. Show up rested not tired or stressed from the travel to the shoot location. Dark circles may be covered with makeup but there is no way to hide tired eyes. Be hydrated and eat well before the shoot so that energy intake is working for you. If you have a skin type that needs attention, keep up on it. It’s important to look your best on the day of the shoot. Photographers and retouchers can fix almost anything but would rather not especially if it can be avoided.
   
5. Practice: If you are new to modeling or a job has specific requirements when it comes to your posing, practice your posing before hand. Believe me if a model steps onto a set and absolutely crushes his or her poses everything just flows with the shoot.

Modeling takes dedication but can be very rewarding. I hope this gives some constructive insight, for both experienced as well as emerging models, into what your prospective clients are thinking about when deciding who to choose for their projects.