By Peter Berton

SAN MATEO, Calif. – The adult entertainment industry has been making digital waves since the internet made its public debut in 1995. Three years later, one enterprising publishing company launched what it believes to be the first online employment agency to address the needs of an industry mainstream agencies won’t touch.

Sexy Jobs still claims to be the largest and most-trafficked service of its kind. According to Marketing Director Sean Phillips, the staff believes everyone benefits when an online venue helps employers and job seekers remain well-informed about opportunities.

YNOT.com: How did the idea for Sexy Jobs come about?

Sean Phillips: I wish we could take credit for the idea, but it actually came from our customers.

In the late 1990s, we were in the publishing business, which is why our parent company is still called InfoNet Publications. At that time, we published books and pamphlets dealing with a range of adult topics.

Our most successful title was 1-2-3 Be A Porn Star. The book was quite popular back in the day, as it provided a complete, step-by-step guide for how to break into the industry. It’s out of print now, but I still sometimes see used copies for sale on eBay and Amazon for $500 or more.

During that era, we received dozens of letters from people who enjoyed the book but were frustrated that it didn’t include enough listings of adult companies that were hiring. They wanted a resource where they could quickly find up-to-date job opportunities throughout the industry.

Well, that’s when it dawned us: The internet was the logical place for something like that. It seems ridiculously obvious now, I know, but it was a breakthrough then.

What kinds of jobs do you offer?

We currently have 34 categories of adult employment including webcam models, phone-sex operators, actors and actresses [for] hardcore and softcore [productions], club dancers, nude models, fetish models, glamour models, companions, lingerie models, massage therapists, fantasy maids, makeup artists, reality performers, promo models, photographers, webmasters, managers, recruiters, production staff and text chat operators.

Which category sees the most demand?

Webcam models, without a doubt. Right now, almost 50 percent of all job offers being sent through our site — of which there are about 2,500 per day — are in regard to webcam employment.

What categories are new and growing? Which are in decline?

We’ve noticed some growing interest in social-media jobs, such as getting paid to tweet. It remains to be seen how significant this category will become, but we are in the midst of a complete site rebuild where this new category will be included, along with a category for [search engine optimization and search engine marketing] specialists.

As for declining categories, we really don’t have any. Even the oldest categories in the industry, such as phone-sex jobs, continue to remain very popular.

What qualifications are most in demand these days?

That’s easy. Talent that is reliable, punctual and professional will always be most in demand. But there is one other key characteristic that is becoming increasingly important in our digital world: the ability to connect authentically with fans.

For instance, in the webcam modeling space, most recruiters used to think that attractiveness — by conventional standards — was the most important factor for success. Now that we actually have good stats on the revenue webcam models earn, we see that what is often more important is how well the model can create a feeling of intimacy and connection with the customer.

This is great news, because it means the industry is truly wide open for adults of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds.

How can job seekers use your site most effectively?

The first step is to post a resume so our registered employers can start making job offers. It is really important to take the time to make your resume stand out.

Instead of saying, “I want a job that pays a lot of money,” I advise job seekers to describe their unique skills and talents. Even if you have no direct experience, you can always convey enthusiasm and interest.

Be professional, but creative. Have fun with your resume and be sure to focus on positives. That way, employers will know that in addition to being capable of performing the job, you also will make their workplace more enjoyable.

Another good pointer is to keep your resume brief. No one wants to read someone’s life story. Just write enough to catch a potential employer’s attention. You can share more details later.

Lastly, I highly recommend all job seekers upload good-quality photos. Don’t just take a picture of yourself in your poorly lit bedroom or bathroom. At the very least, go somewhere where there is good lighting and have a friend take a few photographs of you in different poses and wearing different outfits.

How can employers use your site most effectively, and what info should they include in their listings?

When employers contact talent, they should keep their initial inquiries brief but informative. Nobody wants to wade through a huge block of text to decide whether to respond to a job offer.

Don’t be repetitive or provide a lot of extraneous details, and definitely don’t include typos or misspelled words, as that can be a major turn-off.

Keep in mind that many employers are competing for the attention of the job seekers listed on the site. A kind and thoughtful message that acknowledges this basic reality can go a long way.

Also, be sure to make a clear and specific job offer. The biggest mistake an employer can make is to send a vague message. This is exactly the kind of email a job seeker is likely to ignore or delete.

Another no-no is to send the same message to every job seeker. Take the time to compose a message that reflects a job seeker’s unique objectives and qualifications.

In your message, you should include as much contact information as you can, including a phone number, an email address and a website, as well as the city where you are located, even if you are hiring outside of that area. Each of these elements adds credibility.

What is the strangest job posting you’ve seen?

Over the years we’ve seen it all, so I have to confess nothing looks too strange to us anymore. As long as [the activity] is legal and it occurs between consenting adults in an environment of mutual respect and consideration, we are okay with it.