This content was submitted by Hayley Rhodes
My name is Hayley Rhodes. I'm a Senior Producer with experience in live and as-live shows including The One Show and the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as, more recently, true crime documentaries, and a bit of dabbling in development. I live in Hertfordshire but work all over the place.
Have you benefited from any ScreenSkills support so far and what motivated you to pursue this:
I got into TV because I wanted to make history programmes. Thirteen years on, for one reason or another - making 'safe choices' because of childcare, money etc - I hadn't made a single one. I signed up for the Telly Mums Network Mentoring Programme, which is supported by ScreenSkills, because I wanted to find out if I had the skills and experience to move in that direction, and if not, to work out how to get them. My mentor, Vicky Bennetts, has been amazing. She's helped me identify transferable skills and experience that I didn't even know I had, and to put them front and centre on my CV so it's a lot more obvious now to employers what I can do. She also introduced me to other people who can offer advice, and encouraged me to send off my CV speculatively, which is something I hadn't done before because I didn't really know how to sell myself.
What effect has this support had on your career so far?
The mentoring process gave me the confidence to apply for a couple of roles I wouldn't have dared to go for before - and I'm just about to start a two month contract developing history docs! It's literally the dream, and hopefully the first of many jobs where I get paid for geeking out about the past.
What is the most interesting/remarkable/proud moment or achievement of your career so far?
An idea I originated, researched and developed as an AP on a two-week placement with BBC Arabic became a really impactful documentary, Pregnant and In Chains.
If you could give advice to someone interested in pursuing your job role or a career in the screen industries more generally, what would you say?
You have far more transferable skills and experience than you think - it's just a case of rooting them out, and making sure you shout about them. At the same time, if you aren't landing the roles you want, it's worth asking around and finding out what's missing, and how you can fill those gaps to make yourself a stronger candidate. Most execs and talent managers will be happy to spend 10 minutes giving you feedback or advice that will help you progress your career.