Obtain a four-year degree. You can major in just about any subject, but most talent agencies will not hire you if you do not possess at least a bachelor's degree. Business, finance, pre-law, communication and English degrees are advantageous because they provide skills and knowledge such as basic contracts and the art of negotiation, which you will need as an agent.
Move to Los Angeles, which is where all the major or minor talent agencies are located. In addition to Creative Artists Agency (CAA), William Morris Endeavor (WME), United Talent Agency (UTA) and International Creative Management (ICM) -- known as the Big Four agencies -- Los Angeles boasts dozens of mid-level and boutique agencies that provide you with a number of employment opportunities.
Apply to an agent training program. Almost all agencies, regardless of size, have developed agent training programs that are a systematic way to climb up the ranks to become an agent. Every successful applicant begins the training program in the agency mailroom, and works up from that position. To research the agency where you want to work, buy a copy of the Hollywood Creative Directory, a reference book that lists hundreds of talent agencies with offices in Los Angeles. Contact the agencies to obtain the application requirements for the agent training program.
Work in the agency mailroom where you deliver mail to the entire agency, make photocopies of scripts and learn how the agency works from the bottom up. Use this time to establish contacts within the agency. Mailroom workers also "cover" an agent's desk when his regular assistant is absent. This is invaluable hands-on experience that shows you exactly what the job of an agent entails.
Prove yourself in the mailroom and work your way to a full-time position as an agent's assistant. Though these positions are usually offered based on whichever agent has the need, you should make it known to your supervisor that you want to work on a literary agent's desk.
Work for a year at the agent's desk, transfer to another agent's desk and work there for another year. Then seek a transfer to become the assistant to a senior agent. Talent agencies want their trainees to experience varying styles of agenting, so you will often work as an assistant for two or three agents before you are deemed ready to be promoted.
Read scripts of clients that the agents you work for represent. Offer to read the scripts of potential clients that have been referred to the agent you assist. Offer to provide coverage -- written synopsis of a script -- so that the agent can quickly decide if it is something he wants to read. Treat clients with respect and go out of your way to help them. Listen in on every negotiation and client call that your agent handles so that you understand the various ways to deal with problems that arise.
Take clients to lunch and talk to them about their career aspirations. Learn how to listen to clients and to gauge their needs. Aggressively seek out networking opportunities by attending movie premieres and arranging after-work cocktails with young, upwardly-mobile producers and studio executives. As an agent, you will work with these same people who have the power to hire your writing clients for jobs.
Work for a senior agent in the literary department for several years, which puts you on course to receive a coveted promotion to a junior agent position at the agency.