Looking For Work In Chicago? Try These Places

Contrary to popular belief, you can make it in Chicago! 

The job market is fine; job seekers are looking for work in all the wrong places.

If you want to find quick employment, try the following options.

CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW STAFFING

Staffing agencies that specialize with conventions and trade shows are the best bets for people looking to secure relatively easy work and solid pay within 3 weeks of sending resumes.
(Some exceptions may apply.) 

Summer is very slow but the fall, spring, and winter are great times to find consistent work. 

Chicago's minimum wage is 10.00/hr for 2015 and will increase in increments until 2019 when it will be 13.00/hr.

* Convention Connection (Website)

Kate Zeitvogel, Director of Sales & Staffing
- Technology, Education, Retail focused shows
(Occasional medical shows)
- Wardrobe: White shirt, Black jacket and pants
Locations: Hyatt, Swissotel, Sheraton, McCormick Place

*Action Figures-Chicago (Website)

Lori Jaffe, Manager
- Medical and Government focused shows
- Wardrobe: Blue shirt, Black jacket and pants 
Locations: McCormick Place

*ShiftGig (Website)
Eddie Lou, CEO 
- Bartenders, servers, brand ambassadors 
Locations: Various 


EXTRAS CASTING

Chicago's TV and film industry is getting stronger every year. Extras can find work quickly without little hassle.
The only items to remember are: 1) Be ON TIME; 2) Bring 3 changes of clothes; 3) Bring 2 forms of ID; and 4) Be patient

Anthony White Casting
*Independent films and TV shows
("Southside With You", "The Blexicans") 

Joan Philo Casting
("Chicago Med"/ "Chicago Fire")


Tail Sticks Casting
("Chicago PD) 

(Google these places or find them on Facebook) 

Extras casting pays about 80 dollars for 8 hours with time and a half. You can get a pay bump for wardrobe fittings, vehicle uses (25 dollars) and a higher pay grade if you are a stand-in. (Stand-ins are test dummies to help light the scene for actors with similar physical features). 

Stand-ins get about 140 a day. But you have to pray that you look like the actor who needs one. It's like playing the lottery.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Native Chicagoans can try Uber as well. I have a few friends who are making big bucks from Uber. 

Just steer clear of places like ATN (Across The Nation) Promotions. They offer high paying jobs but take almost 2 months to pay for certain gigs. 

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Dear Periscope Users: Strategize, Then Monetize!

Before you start that Periscope account, please read this blog carefully!

Periscope is the latest live streaming video phenomenon. The sleek design and pop-up style chat makes it a great way to interact with current friends and make new ones. In addition to that, the app can help content creators generate buzz and monetize their brands.

Unfortunately, the average Periscope user is trying to generate attention with pointless streams. Instead of using the app to create amazing contents, most folks stream stupid stuff like picking out outfits, getting ready for bed, and criminal plots. (Yes, two idiots streamed their plans to commit crimes!) 

If you want to make money from Periscope, try the following tactics:

*Plan Your Broadcasts
It appears to be an obvious statement but very few appear to grasp this concept! 

If you must do something spur of the moment, turn your Twitter rants into a video discussion. 

*Engage With Your Audience
Don't just read the comments; use the comments to improve what you do.  

After each broadcast, stay in touch with your viewers and create customized content for their liking. When you build a following, you can merchandise your content (like the Hell To Naw video) or plan meetups at your local coffee shop. 

Big Zack TV will be using Periscope soon to create an amazing event that will get media buzz!

Stay tuned! 

*Keep It Clean
You can partner with businesses by presenting content they can post for a large audience. Try not to use vulgar language if you can help it. You can be funny without cursing. 

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