Choose a font where it is difficult to distinguish between a lower case “L” and the number one. Choose a font that is hard to read and small enough so when it is copied or faxed, it is illegible.

Include graphics on résumés.

You’re such a card
Include only your name on your business card — maybe just a first name or nickname. They don’t need to know how to reach you or know what you do (title — are you a producer, artist or writer?). If you have an image on your card make sure it obscures important contact info. Don’t include both your phone number and e-mail address on your card. Hide your phone number on the back of your business card.

Demo Reels: If you want me, you have to show me.
“You have my reel.” Ask the recruiter or employer to find your reel. After all, you just gave them one at SIGGRAPH, along with hundreds of other applicants. Why give them another? They are supposed to keep your reel and résumé for at least six months, so why send a new one?

Don’t follow up quickly when a recruiter or potential employer requests your reel. Delay sending the reel — they can wait. Don’t have packages ready to go out the door, which include a demo reel, demo reel breakdown and résumé with current contact info on all.

Tell the recruiter you need time to redo your reel and take your time getting around to it. After all, you are working, in school or busy with other important stuff.

Why update your reel every six months, whether you are working or not? You can always get around to it when a job comes your way.

Don’t label your reel with yoru name and phone number and e-mail address. Or, keep an old label on it with an outdated phone number and area code — it shows you get around.

Ask to get your reel back. Expect a company to pay postage to mail your reel back so you don’t have to spend time picking it up.

Put everything you have ever done on your reel in no particular order. Employers will be impressed by how much you’ve improved over the years.

Put stuff on your reel that is not relevant to the job — i.e. cartoony stuff for a photoreal project. Don’t tailor your reel, résumé and cover letter to the job. Send out the same reel no matter what the job — don’t customize.

“I don’t have a reel, but can you view CDs or DVDs?” Don’t provide a viewer with your work so an employer has to work to see your stuff.

Breakdown Sheets: Guess what I did!
Don’t include a breakdown with your reel. Let recruiters and employers guess what you did on the reel. Make them call you to find out what you did so you can draw them into a lengthy conversation. Maybe you can convince them to give you an animation position when all you’ve ever done was wire removal.

Don’t include your name and contact info on your breakdown list.

Give them the brush.
Don’t have an answering machine or service so people can get through to you. Set your machine on maximum rings if you have one so they’ll have to call back when you’re home.

Don’t update recruiters when you move, change e-mail addresses or phone numbers — be mysterious.

Don’t stay in touch with employers. You’ll never run into them again.

The recruiter’s job is to help companies find top people. Make them work to find you and contact you. Don’t help them do their job — they might help you to get one.

If you find a company you want to work for, make them work hard to hire you. After all, whom else are they going to get?

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a recruiter, hiring strategist and career coach. She is recruiting artists for a visual effects film being produced in Los Angeles and is amazed by the variety of obstacles artists put in their path to being hired.