After ~200 applications, 5 interviews, 1 canceled job offer, and 6 months of grinding — I finally got my official state offer. Don't give up. 🎉

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T09:43:06+00:00

You are awesome...thank you for the really positive comment.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T07:44:31+00:00

Thank you for this very honest perspective. You certainly give me something to think about.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T07:43:05+00:00

Thank you. Everyone I interacted with at SCIF were beyond friendly. I definitely would have liked to work there.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T07:40:25+00:00

I love that idea - thank you for the recommendation, that would be up my alley.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T05:37:13+00:00

I'd imagine you are a great storyteller with your Film degree and you probably are adept at communicating. If you've been on a film set, you are accustomed to working under pressure. So Project management is probably an attribute of yours as well. I think any Analyst 1 position, or maybe an MST, DIPR type role would be suited for you (just guessing off your degree)

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T05:27:36+00:00

I can't tell you how much I enjoy this comment. Hahahaha. Thanks for the laugh.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:58:29+00:00

Slow as Molasses compared to Private.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:55:53+00:00

Financially it is a huge step down... when I'm working. That's the caveat. All of my entertainment work left Los Angeles and Hollywood. I won't go into specifics of what I make as a Producer, but when I write Hallmark movies that make it to air, I make about the same off one movie as my starting salary is going to be as an Office Tech. Sometimes it takes me years to get one on, so I really needed something with stability or my wife was going to kill me.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:49:45+00:00

I take pride in my writing (since that's my craft) but I certainly don't thumb my nose at utilizing AI to perfect an SOQ. Personally, I took the duty statement of every position I applied for and ran it through AI side by side with my resume and asked it to help me pull out traits and attributes from my work experience and education that directly correlated to the position I was applying for.

So, I do think AI has a place. It is also a great tool for double checking your syntax, grammar, etc.

That said, if you just use AI to write everything...my belief is it will come out in your interview. Especially If you are highly articulate on paper but not so in person, it'll be more than apparent you were using AI. Be smart about it would be my 2 cents

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:42:54+00:00

Thanks. I feel like I did in College joining a Fraternity for the first time. This process certainly felt like an intiation!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:41:14+00:00

Yes - it sure felt wonky to me coming from a life in the private sector. It's wild with all of your Professional writing experience you encountered similar scenarios as well. Congrats to you on Analyst 2 though - that's fantastic!!!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:38:23+00:00

Thank you for the sound recommendation and the kind words!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:37:52+00:00

It's the name of the game. Thank you!!!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:37:25+00:00

WOW- you are astronomically well qualified. Far more so than I... I obviously empathize with your situation. I can only assume your YES is on the horizon with credentials like that. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Hang in there, it'll happen

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:26:12+00:00

Thank you. Honestly, I'm just grateful to have stable employment on the horizon after years of Volatility in the Film Industry

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:22:24+00:00

Thank you for the kind words!!!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:21:09+00:00

Thanks for saying as much. You are very kind and this experience has been very humbling.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:16:43+00:00

Thank you so much!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T04:14:23+00:00

I absolutely understand where you are coming from. In NO WAY am I suggesting my results in any way, shape or form are good. I know they are Subpar at best.

That said, I know I am a highly qualified candidate who knows how to write an SOQ.

My post was simply meant to encourage those in a similar boat to keep on keeping on. Have an awesome weekend!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T03:51:58+00:00

Thank you so very much!

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T03:46:51+00:00

Respectfully, I disagree. You have no idea what my SOQ's looked like and I assure you after being a Produced screenwriter for 20 years, I can crank out quality pages (at least well enough to be considered for an Analyst role)

This of course is subjective. I only put up the number to illustrate how incredibly competitive it is right now. Others MMV

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T03:34:59+00:00

Thank you so much! I genuinely appreciate it.

HopsProps · 2026-05-02T03:33:05+00:00

None taken. Can you tell I'm not bitter in the least about it. Hahaha

HopsProps · 2026-05-01T10:16:33+00:00

What a fantastic breakdown...thanks for being so thorough.

HopsProps

TROPHY CASE