A staggering 701,000 Americans lost their jobs in March amid the coronavirus outbreak, with 459,000 workers in the leisure and hospitality industries affected, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mandatory shelter-in-place orders have caused live music venues, sports arenas and theaters to close; museums to lock their doors; major outdoor festivals to cancel; the film industry to halt production; and resorts, casinos and amusement parks to suspend operations.
If you worked in the entertainment and leisure industries and lost your job, take heart. While you might not feel that this is a great time to look for work, in fact, many businesses are still hiring vigorously. Plus, getting in the job search game now could benefit you.
After all, your years of work experience have helped you create a skill set that will translate to other jobs. Here, we show you how to find work fast, even in an economy that has been hit hard by COVID-19.
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Transferable skills to emphasize on your resume
Whether you were a stage production worker, ticket taker, usher, concessions attendant or amusement park worker, you have acquired valuable skills that you can transfer to other jobs. By learning to articulate the merits of these transferable skills on your resume, you'll have a leg up on the competition.
Below is a breakdown of the hard, technical and soft skills you may have mastered as a worker in the entertainment industry that you should consider adding to your next resume:
Hard skills: Sales, problem-solving, handling money, mathematical aptitude, business awareness
Technical skills: Operating equipment or systems, Point-of-Sale (POS) systems, computers, cash registers
Soft skills: Communication, customer service, teamwork, negotiation, persuasion, multitasking, time management, ability to work independently, organizational skills
Certifications and training: Certified Special Events Professional, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Certification
These industries are hiring people with your skills
If you worked behind the scenes, including technicians and production workers, you might be a fit for one of the following job titles:
- Stock associate (for example, at a drug store like CVS)
- Warehouse associate (for example, for an essential business like PepsiCo)
- Driver (for example, at a courier company like UPS)
- Meal delivery person (for example, for a restaurant delivery company like GrubHub)
If you worked front-of-house, including lobby attendants, ticket takers, cashiers, amusement ride operators, concession workers, you might be a fit for one of the following job titles:
- Grocery delivery person (for example, for an app like Instacart)
- Meal delivery person (for example, for a restaurant like Domino's Pizza)
- Bank teller (for example at a bank like Chase)
- Caregiver (for example, at a nursing home)
- Cashier (for example, at an essential retailer like Walmart)
If you worked as a customer success manager, post production director, talent relations coordinator, you might be a fit for one of the following job titles:
- Grocery store manager (for example, at Whole Foods)
- Warehouse manager (for example, for an essential business like Target)
- Facilities manager (for example, in a manufacturing plant, like GOJO Industries)
How to apply for these roles and what you'll need
In person:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- Identification, such as a driver's license or passport
Online:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- A brief cover letter
Where to look
Do I need a resume during the COVID crisis?
While it's true that some businesses are no longer requiring current resumes during the coronavirus outbreak, others prefer candidates who have them, so we advise giving yourself the best chance with an updated resume before you begin applying for a job.
Some businesses might also require a cover letter, so again, it's best to be prepared. Even if it's not required, a cover letter could certainly help you stand out from the competition. All you'll need are two or three short paragraphs to introduce yourself and describe what you bring to the table. Our cover letter builder can help you create one quickly.
Below, we've provided a sample resume to help you as you update yours for your new position.
Text resume example: Concession associate applying for meal delivery role
Name: Wilson Healey
Address: Fredericksburg, VA 22402
Email: example@example.com
Phone: 555-555-5555
Summary Statement:
Hard-working entertainment professional with two years of customer service as a concessions associate and extensive point-of-sale experience seeks a role as a delivery driver for a meal delivery service. Outstanding communication skills, reliable and friendly.
Summary of Skills:
- Exceptional time management skills
- Experienced with POS systems, including Square, Upserve and Vend
- Outstanding driving record
- Strong customer service skills with a track record of customer satisfaction
- Able to effectively handle customer requests and address problems on the fly
- Able to work well independently
- Flexible and friendly worker with a dependable nature
Work History
Concessions Associate
AMC Theaters
Fredericksburg, VA
1/2018–3/2020
- Served refreshments to over 100 customers per day in a timely and friendly fashion
- Answered customer queries and resolved complaints to ensure customer satisfaction
- Utilized Square POS system and trained new employees to use the technology
- Maintained inventory and generated reports
- Stocked shelves and cleaned workspace
Concession Assistant
Riverside Center for Performing Arts
Fredericksburg, VA
1/2017–1/2018
- Served refreshments to customers in this high-volume family-friendly theater
- Assisted customers with queries and complaints
- Utilized Upserve POS system and trained new employees to use the technology
- Cleaned workstation after every shift
- Ensured workstation was well stocked after every shift
Education & Certifications
James Monroe High School
Fredericksburg, VA
2016
SafeServ certification
National Restaurant Association
2018–Present
LiveCareer Resume Builder example: Concession associate applying for meal delivery role
