Behave Like a Pro

School for Film and Television Tip: Always present yourself as a successful working professional, even if you don't feel like one yet. This doesn't mean lie, pretend, or cop an attitude. It just means you should always exude confidence.

It's a simple matter of common sense. If you always come across as someone who knows her own value, others will be more willing to put their trust in you. Agents want clients who are winners. Casting directors want performers who are reliable and in demand. So if you want to become an actress, park your desperation and insecurity at the door, and let your self-esteem shine through. Drop the word "aspiring" and introduce yourself as an actress. Never undermine yourself with qualifiers, such as, "it was just a tiny role," and always have an interesting, dynamic, or witty answer to the question, "what have you done lately?"

Faking it until you make it is not lying. It's liberating and it's smart. The more you behave like a pro, the more you'll feel like a pro. And the more you feel like a pro, the more others will see you that way, too. Before you know it, opportunities will be coming your way.