I am going to COOK (I have never made a chart before but it sounds fun)

Here's hoping for a better 2026. At this point I'm just waiting for the right connection to have the right gig at the right time. Still gunna be applying because you never know, can't win the lottery without trying. I'm thankful for the recruiters that actually gave me a shot at an interview.

This network is a more long-term strategy, but it's already leading to promising opportunities. I've picked up way more gigs in the latter half of 2025 because of this and updating my resume/portfolio based on advice from recruiters and colleagues. Still searching, but progress is being made.

Many industry panels I've attended stated just how unlikely it is to get a job from online applications. My data supports that. You basically have to win the lottery against hundreds or thousands of other applicants, so I shifted my strategy to making connections and building a solid network instead

While this data is horrifying in hindsight, I'm trying to put a positive spin on it to help me in the future.

List is a solid mix of office, restaurant, and factory work but my primary focus was film and entertainment gigs. All online applications, 99% with no referral whatsoever.