“You are always the last to know your own reputation”
— Lance Thompson

What people say behind your back is your standing in the community”
— Ed Howe
1853-1937, American journalist

You have two résumés. One is a written record of your education, skills, experience and accomplishments that you submit to a prospective employer.

Your invisible résumé is much more important and travels with you throughout your career. You begin to build it even before you land your first job. Your invisible résumé reflects how others experience you — your attitude, your reputation — and can be helpful or detrimental to your career. It is written by those who have worked with you and interviewed you. This invisible résumé can open or close doors more quickly than anything you can submit to an employer.

The animation, games and visual effects industry is worldwide, but it is well connected. Your invisible résumé is distributed any place two people in your industry get together — at work, social gatherings, meetings and, especially, when a company looks for new hires. Ever heard anyone say, “Anybody know this guy? What’s he like?” Word travels fast and your invisible résumé travels faster than you know. You add to your invisible résumé every day, but it is very hard to delete anything.

A is for Attitude
Why do companies interview you? They already have your résumé and demo reel. They can see you are qualified for the job. They know what you can do. They interview you to assess your attitude. Are you a complainer or a can-do person? Upbeat or depressed? Energetic or lethargic? Cocky or confident? Positive or negative? Innovator or clock-watcher? You might realize this assessment happens during the interview, but remember that every day on the job, your attitude is assessed and remembered by employers, co-workers and colleagues.

Does attitude make that much difference? Who would you rather work with eight to 10 hours a day — someone who says “This is stupid — I can’t do this — they’re asking the impossible!” or someone who is upbeat, cheerful, enjoys his work and puts forth his best efforts. Enthusiasm and passion go a long way to building your career.

Don’t be arrogant. Even if you are well educated and super talented, don’t dispense unsolicited critiques of other’s work, especially if you are not a supervisor or lead. An artist at a game company alienated several of his co-workers when he offered his opinions of their skills and abilities in an after work, life drawing session. His hubris cost him several job opportunities.

“Be a problem solver.” If something at work doesn’t please you, try to find a way that it can be fixed and if it can’t be, keep those complaints until you get home. No one wants to hear you moan about something that isn’t fixable. When confronted with a problem, find solutions and be excited about the project.

“The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it”
— Napoleon Bonaparte
1769-1821, Emperor of France