Imagine spending your workdays not behind an officer desk or flipping burgers, but working with some of the world’s best photographers and traveling to exotic locations to have your picture taken.

Breaking into the modeling industry isn’t easy, but if becoming a model is your dream, you can use the following six tips to make that dream into a reality. Don’t worry – America’s Next Top Model isn’t your only option!

Tip #1: Dress like a model.

If you want to be a model, you need to dress like one all the time, since you never know when an opportunity might arise. No, that doesn’t mean you have to dress in the latest fashions. On the contrary, as a model, you should look clean and classic. Wear natural-looking makeup and timeless outfits that show off your figure without being too revealing. You want to appear as a blank slate for designers.

Tip #2: Invest in modeling classes.

You might be a natural model, but if take modeling classes, your skills will improve tenfold. This is also a great way to network with other models and even meet talent scouts and agents.

Tip #3: Create a portfolio.

While you can get by on just a headshot, designers will be more comfortable hiring you if you have a body of work already, shown in a portfolio. If you haven’t been hired for any jobs yet, don’t worry. You can hire a photographer of your own to take some pictures, look for local photography students who are interested in filling their portfolios as well, or volunteer to model for nonprofits in your area.

Tip #4: Create social networking pages online.

The Internet is a great marketing tool for models, so take full advantage and start a Twitter account, Myspace page, Facebook profile, etc. Make sure you’re careful about what you say on these public profiles. Never bash an agency or company, share confidential information about designers, or complain too much, as it will come off that its difficult to work with you. Be pleasant and put your best face forward online.

Tip #5: Treat every meeting, audition, or go-see like a job interview.

If you were going on a job interview, you would prepare by reading up on the company, thinking about how you’ll answer questions, and practicing. That’s how you should approach meetings as a model. Essentially, they are mini job interviews, and if you show them that you’re prepared, they’ll be more likely to hire you.

Tip #6: Get your passport.

Some clients will ask you to travel overseas, and today, you have to have a passport even to go to other North American countries. If you don’t have your passport, it can takes months to apply for one, so designers will pass you up for another model who is better prepared.

Dreaming about breaking into the modeling industry? There once was a great interview with Judy Goss, a former Ford model and current Casting Director of More magazine.

According to Ms. Goss, who wrote the book, Break into Modeling for Under $20, there is four P process that one must follow to launch his or her modeling career:

1. Preparation

Ms. Goss says that being prepared includes mental and physical preparation. Mentally, you have to be ready and able to handle rejection — which happens a lot in the business, across all levels. Physical preparation means making sure that your — measurements fall into categories that you are going after — be it runway (also known as ramp modeling), lingerie and/or swimsuit modeling, or  plus-size modeling. (Note that the JobMonkey section on modeling jobs is a great resource about the wide variety of opportunities for models of all shapes, sizes, genders and ages.)

2. Pictures

“Keep it really simple,” says Ms. Goss. That means simple makeup and simple clothing, including at least one shot in a two-piece bathing suit. Ms. Goss also advises would-be models to send in no more than seven photographs by mail, or no more than three pictures by email. She also tells aspiring models not to pay for professional head shot. “Never pay for professional pictures before you have an agency. That’s a big misconception about our industry.”

3. Promotion

Promote yourself through target marketing, advises Ms. Goss. This includes finding the right modeling agencies that deal in the type of modeling you are going after. Smaller niche offices might specialize in just one or two styles of modeling (print modeling or child modeling, for example) while larger-scale agencies have a number of different divisions. Be sure you contact the right division, or your photographs will be lost.  A little research goes a long way!

4. Presentation

When all your hard work pays off and you get invited to an interview, Ms. Goss advises you to present yourself in the same way that you did for your pictures — simply. Simple make-up and a simple outfit are the way to go, she says. The same rule applies, according to Ms. Goss, if you go on an open call for models.

One last tip: Skip the modeling schools. Agencies don’t take them seriously, says Ms. Goss. “It’s just a waste of money.”

Have you dreamed of becoming a model?  Do you think you have what it takes to land a spot on America’s Next Top Model? Like American Idol for singers, Top Model is the be-all-end-all in reality show competitions for young, aspiring, and stick-thin models. But what’s it really like behind the scenes of this top-ranked show? Ex-model, actress, and author Paulina Porizkova dished (old article expired) with a Dallas Morning News reporter about her experience as a guest judge on the show. It seems she was none too enamored with host Tyra Banks, saying about her:

She does her work very well, but as a person I can’t tell you if she’s nice or not nice. I have no idea. If it was me, I would take the time to establish contact with my coworkers. I think you should not treat people that work with you like they work for you.

Check out the article for more inside scoop on the show and Paulina’s beef with the too-skinny look that permeates the industry today.

Of course, even if you aren’t a 5’11”, Size-0 cat walker, you can still earn a living from modeling. Want to know how? Read JobMonkey’s section on Modeling Jobs, which features all types of modeling opportunities — from ramp and photographic to body part, hair and plus size.

There are many different types of modeling jobs available, from runway models to plus-sized and child model jobs.

Modeling can be a full-time career or something done as a means to earn a supplemental income.

You can find current modeling jobs posted on our industry-specific job board. When you visit the board be sure to visit multiple pages as many of the best opportunities are posted on page 2 and beyond. Also, utilize the Keyword search to find specific opportunities.

New to the industry? Want to learn more about being a professional model? Then visit our content section pertaining to a career in modeling. Hand models, swimsuit and lingerie modeling…we cover the industry in detail.

Also, professional photographers are needed for a variety of different opportunities: studio photography jobs, modeling shoots, and more. Find out about modeling photographer jobs in our modeling careers content area. Learn what skills and abilities you’ll need to get these jobs.

Is your favorite TV show America’s Next Top Model? Did you dream about being a supermodel when you were a little girl?

I know we spend a lot of time here on JobMonkey talking about traditional jobs — from teachers and truck drivers to government employees and veterinarians.

This week, however, we’re talking about a job field a little less traditional … and a little more glamorous: Modeling.

While the modeling industry is rife with potential scam artists, it also offers an abundance of opportunities — and not all of them require you to be a 6 foot tall, 115 pound, size 2 runway walker. In addition to ramp modeling and photographic models, there are jobs for hand models, foot models and any other kind of body model imaginable. There is also plus-size modeling. Plus, the modeling industry also has jobs on the other side of the camera, including photographer, agent and stylist.

Here’s a rundown on the various jobs in the industry — maybe one is right for you:

Agent
A modeling agent is responsible for booking shoots, fashion shows and photographic work for his or her clients (AKA models).  You must also be able to find and train new models and take responsibility for their livelihood.  Your paycheck is typically a percentage of the pay earned by your clients.  To be an agent, you need experience in the modeling industry and contacts among fashion buyers, stylists, photographers, designers, etc.

Photographer
Most modeling photographers get their start freelancing for agencies, magazines or catalog companies. In-house photographers take head shots and help new models put their portfolios together.  Freelancers take shots for fashion catalogs, media shoots, print ads, billboards and other ad campaigns.

Hair Models
Hair models have gorgeous, shiny hair –Pantene commercial hair.  Ad campaigns, both print and TV, often use hair models. Unlike full body models, hair models can be any weight, height, shape or age. In fact, senior hair models are often in demand!

Ramp Model Jobs
The top modeling gig, ramp models are tall and thin — model thin. Slots to work for major designers can earn top dollars, but there are less cut-throat  opportunities, too, including local and regional work. 

Unfortunately, most of these jobs won’t amount to a full-time salary.  They will, however, let you get your feet wet in the modeling industry.

Photographic Models
Like ramp models, photographic models can earn top dollars when their shots grace the cover of major magazines or top-selling catalogs.  But also like ramp model jobs, there are opportunities for less high-earning (and less high-pressured) gigs including local catalog work and regional magazines.

Body Modeling Jobs
Jewelry campaigns need the perfect pair of earlobes to showcase their newest diamond earrings; shower gels need gorgeous shoulders to lather up on.  Great hands, fingers, feet, legs, back, neck, earns, arms and shoulders are all specific body parts that can earn you the title of body model.

Child Model Jobs
Child modeling can be fun for kids and a great way to pad the college fund from an early age.  On the other hand, it can be demanding and take children away from the business of being a kid — climbing trees, building castles, playing with friends and, even, attending school.  Of course, child models do get plenty of opportunities to play dress-up.  While regulations are in place to protect child models, parents must be vigilant that the work does not over take their child’s childhood.

Male Modeling
Opportunities for male models are as varied as those for female models — although the total number of jobs, and the paychecks, will not be as expansive.  The ideal start age for male models is 17-18 years of age, a few years older than for women.  Male models should have lean, strong, athletic bodies.

Hair and Make Up Artists
Here’s another opportunity to work “behind the scenes”.  Most model shoots have at least one make-up artist and hair professional on set at all times.  At runway shows, each model may be assigned her (or his) own artist.

If you want to learn more about modeling, start by visiting the Modeling Career pages of JobMonkey and conducting a thorough Google search, too.  Before signing with an agency, be sure to investigate them thoroughly. A good place to start is the Better Business Bureau.

And one final tip: Never pay someone to represent you.  If it sounds like a scam, then it probably is one.  You will need to exercise good caution along a healthy dose of optimism if you want to earn your salary as a professional model.