TL;DR: This year taught me that producers want conversation over courses, that taste can't be automated, that presentation matters more than ever, and that real DEI work requires action not just anger. I learned to price my expertise properly, got comfortable on LinkedIn, helped get Kelly Gordon to Cannes, and distilled everything I know about CVs and producer career positioning into a guide. The industry is struggling at every level, but empathy and genuine partnership still win. I'm still slow compared to other recruiters, still thorough, and better value pound for pound than anyone else doing what I do.

I estimate that 98% of producer CVs I receive aren't good enough for today's market. They rely on word-of-mouth, but that doesn't work anymore. Here's what actually gets your CV seen: