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Job hunting....with kids

C

captainrexk

Just want to throw out some things and get an opinion.
1) Is it "who you know & who you blow" when it comes to job searching, or is it lots of time spent (sweat equity)? Seems like I've always come "this close" to landing a gig, but always something happens whereas I don't get the gig. Y108 just hired "Officer" Mike Tyler for nights. He's been in Idaho, but worked with Welch & Woody years ago. Seems like he may have had a inside thing or 2. When I found out on the 'net....they already had done interviews & were ready to make a choice. And it took a wander over to Infinity's job site to find out that Y108 was even hiring! Sounds backhanded and inside, but I suppose it's legal, eh? It just seems like I wasted my time & effort in even applying. Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm not whining, I'm just frustrated because I'm somewhere where someone may have to die a horrible death before I'll even be considered for something else. I've been here long enough to gain a lot of experience, but it seems like I'll really never be able to use it here. So, I'd like to go somewhere where I can use these talents more.

2) I am pretty much responsible for 3 kids, my wife works during the day, 3x a week until 9. So, much of my time's taken away from a good job search campaign, and I'm probably missing out on a lot more than I know about. If there are any radio people who read this, I'd like to know how you deal with this. Do I a) divorce the wife & kids and break out on my own.....or b) do as my old man would call "tough it out"?

Any of youse radio folk are more than welcome to reply.
 
Well. Not to discourage you, but most of the time if you see a radio job "posted" its already been earmarked/filled. Thats just a posting to fulfill EOE requirements. They "posted" my last job on the bulletin board the week I started working it.




> Just want to throw out some things and get an opinion.
> 1) Is it "who you know & who you blow" when it comes to job
> searching, or is it lots of time spent (sweat equity)?
> Seems like I've always come "this close" to landing a gig,
> but always something happens whereas I don't get the gig.
> Y108 just hired "Officer" Mike Tyler for nights. He's been
> in Idaho, but worked with Welch & Woody years ago. Seems
> like he may have had a inside thing or 2. When I found out
> on the 'net....they already had done interviews & were ready
> to make a choice. And it took a wander over to Infinity's
> job site to find out that Y108 was even hiring! Sounds
> backhanded and inside, but I suppose it's legal, eh? It
> just seems like I wasted my time & effort in even applying.
> Does anyone else feel this way?
>
> I'm not whining, I'm just frustrated because I'm somewhere
> where someone may have to die a horrible death before I'll
> even be considered for something else. I've been here long
> enough to gain a lot of experience, but it seems like I'll
> really never be able to use it here. So, I'd like to go
> somewhere where I can use these talents more.
>
> 2) I am pretty much responsible for 3 kids, my wife works
> during the day, 3x a week until 9. So, much of my time's
> taken away from a good job search campaign, and I'm probably
> missing out on a lot more than I know about. If there are
> any radio people who read this, I'd like to know how you
> deal with this. Do I a) divorce the wife & kids and break
> out on my own.....or b) do as my old man would call "tough
> it out"?
>
> Any of youse radio folk are more than welcome to reply.
>
 
> Well. Not to discourage you, but most of the time if you see
> a radio job "posted" its already been earmarked/filled.
> Thats just a posting to fulfill EOE requirements. They
> "posted" my last job on the bulletin board the week I
> started working it.

That's not unique to the broadcasting industry. You'll find that to be the way it works for most jobs.

As I've often said, perhaps you have to ask yourself if you are trying to work in radio because you genuinely and truly love radio broadcasting, or if it is because you have skills and talents as a performer, and being a radio disk jockey is the outlet for your talents that you've chosen. You might find that instead of trying for a job telling jokes into a microphone between records, you'll have better luck stringing the jokes together into a good hour of comedy and working as a stand-up. Or, if you want to be a talk show host because you have something you want to say, maybe you should try writing those things down and getting them printed in a newspaper or magazine instead of speaking them on the radio.

It's amazing how you luck can sometimes turn around by shifting your focus towards something similar but not quite the same.

Of course, that advice isn't strictly radio advice, it's general purpose advice applicable in most situations.

Though some might also call it pontificating.
 
> Just want to throw out some things and get an opinion.
> 1) Is it "who you know & who you blow" when it comes to job
> searching, or is it lots of time spent (sweat equity)?
> Seems like I've always come "this close" to landing a gig,
> but always something happens whereas I don't get the gig.
> Y108 just hired "Officer" Mike Tyler for nights. He's been
> in Idaho, but worked with Welch & Woody years ago. Seems
> like he may have had a inside thing or 2. When I found out
> on the 'net....they already had done interviews & were ready
> to make a choice. And it took a wander over to Infinity's
> job site to find out that Y108 was even hiring! Sounds
> backhanded and inside, but I suppose it's legal, eh? It
> just seems like I wasted my time & effort in even applying.
> Does anyone else feel this way?
>
> I'm not whining, I'm just frustrated because I'm somewhere
> where someone may have to die a horrible death before I'll
> even be considered for something else. I've been here long
> enough to gain a lot of experience, but it seems like I'll
> really never be able to use it here. So, I'd like to go
> somewhere where I can use these talents more.
>
> 2) I am pretty much responsible for 3 kids, my wife works
> during the day, 3x a week until 9. So, much of my time's
> taken away from a good job search campaign, and I'm probably
> missing out on a lot more than I know about. If there are
> any radio people who read this, I'd like to know how you
> deal with this. Do I a) divorce the wife & kids and break
> out on my own.....or b) do as my old man would call "tough
> it out"?
>
> Any of youse radio folk are more than welcome to reply.
>

dahn'nouht - - - I feel your pain! I've been there before, too. I only got my current job after a longtime vet was forced to retire because of a serious medical condition. If I were you (and I'm sort of in your position now) I'd take the advice of 'Radio Realist'. That seems to be where it's at. But, again, it all depends on why you're in the industry in the first place. If you leave me an e-mail address, I'd be more than happy to discuss it with you.<P ID="signature">______________
...Steel City Spin...</P>
 
> Well. Not to discourage you, but most of the time if you see
> a radio job "posted" its already been earmarked/filled.
> Thats just a posting to fulfill EOE requirements. They
> "posted" my last job on the bulletin board the week I
> started working it.
>
>
>
>
> > Just want to throw out some things and get an opinion.
> > 1) Is it "who you know & who you blow" when it comes to
> job
> > searching, or is it lots of time spent (sweat equity)?
> > Seems like I've always come "this close" to landing a gig,
>
> > but always something happens whereas I don't get the gig.
>
> > Y108 just hired "Officer" Mike Tyler for nights. He's
> been
> > in Idaho, but worked with Welch & Woody years ago. Seems
> > like he may have had a inside thing or 2. When I found
> out
> > on the 'net....they already had done interviews & were
> ready
> > to make a choice. And it took a wander over to Infinity's
>
> > job site to find out that Y108 was even hiring! Sounds
> > backhanded and inside, but I suppose it's legal, eh? It
> > just seems like I wasted my time & effort in even
> applying.
> > Does anyone else feel this way?
> >
> > I'm not whining, I'm just frustrated because I'm somewhere
>
> > where someone may have to die a horrible death before I'll
>
> > even be considered for something else. I've been here
> long
> > enough to gain a lot of experience, but it seems like I'll
>
> > really never be able to use it here. So, I'd like to go
> > somewhere where I can use these talents more.
> >
> > 2) I am pretty much responsible for 3 kids, my wife works
> > during the day, 3x a week until 9. So, much of my time's
> > taken away from a good job search campaign, and I'm
> probably
> > missing out on a lot more than I know about. If there are
>
> > any radio people who read this, I'd like to know how you
> > deal with this. Do I a) divorce the wife & kids and break
>
> > out on my own.....or b) do as my old man would call "tough
>
> > it out"?
> >
> > Any of youse radio folk are more than welcome to reply.
> >
>
"Do I a) divorce the wife & kids and break
> out on my own....."

How could you think such a thing?
Have you looked at other parts of the radio industry?
 
> > Well. Not to discourage you, but most of the time if you
> see
> > a radio job "posted" its already been earmarked/filled.
> > Thats just a posting to fulfill EOE requirements. They
> > "posted" my last job on the bulletin board the week I
> > started working it.
>
> That's not unique to the broadcasting industry. You'll find
> that to be the way it works for most jobs.
>
> As I've often said, perhaps you have to ask yourself if you
> are trying to work in radio because you genuinely and truly
> love radio broadcasting, or if it is because you have skills
> and talents as a performer, and being a radio disk jockey is
> the outlet for your talents that you've chosen. You might
> find that instead of trying for a job telling jokes into a
> microphone between records, you'll have better luck
> stringing the jokes together into a good hour of comedy and
> working as a stand-up. Or, if you want to be a talk show
> host because you have something you want to say, maybe you
> should try writing those things down and getting them
> printed in a newspaper or magazine instead of speaking them
> on the radio.
>
> It's amazing how you luck can sometimes turn around by
> shifting your focus towards something similar but not quite
> the same.
>
> Of course, that advice isn't strictly radio advice, it's
> general purpose advice applicable in most situations.
>
> Though some might also call it pontificating.
>
Not knowing what area Dahn-nout is working, I can only guess that it is in the programming side, as he'd be out making sales calls during the day and probably wouldn't be on this board.

There are not a whole lot of on-air job openings in this area. Are you at a "major market" station. Or, are you on the outskirts of the Pittsburgh demo? I would suggest to you that in order to fullfill your dream of being on the air, you will need to pursue a job at a smaller station. It would be easier for you to obtain that job here in Pittsburgh, if that's where you are.

Mr. Music
 
I recently signed on to a web site that helps beginning on-air wannabes, just for kicks. Well, the gent that runs said site sent me an e-mail over the weekend....here's part of it.....

"Broadcasting Tip #1: If you ever see an on-air broadcasting job advertised in the newspaper, disregard it.
Federal law mandates that broadcasting companies have to post openings in publications the general public can easily access. You'll find these positions have usually been filled weeks prior to their posting, so save your postage."

The guy's name is Michael Madden, don't know if he's related to Mark (LOL), but he hit the nail on the head. I guess it says a lot for those working at smaller-sized stations who want to move along, eh?
Should anyone dispute what I've written.....I'll add his e-mail address so you can write him....but here's more

"The best place to find broadcasting openings, by far, is directly at the station. The company usually post's them in house for their employee's first, which saves on interviewing time and expenses. Plus, when they hire in-house, their risk is minimized since they're already familiar with them as an employee."

Here's his e-mail address: [email protected]/
 
Everything you said about applying direct and about jobs being filled before they are posted in public is dead-on correct, and is also true in most other industries as well.

> I recently signed on to a web site that helps beginning
> on-air wannabes, just for kicks. Well, the gent that runs
> said site sent me an e-mail over the weekend....here's part
> of it.....
>
> "Broadcasting Tip #1: If you ever see an on-air broadcasting
> job advertised in the newspaper, disregard it.
> Federal law mandates that broadcasting companies have to
> post openings in publications the general public can easily
> access. You'll find these positions have usually been
> filled weeks prior to their posting, so save your postage."
>
> The guy's name is Michael Madden, don't know if he's related
> to Mark (LOL), but he hit the nail on the head. I guess it
> says a lot for those working at smaller-sized stations who
> want to move along, eh?
> Should anyone dispute what I've written.....I'll add his
> e-mail address so you can write him....but here's more
>
> "The best place to find broadcasting openings, by far, is
> directly at the station. The company usually post's them in
> house for their employee's first, which saves on
> interviewing time and expenses. Plus, when they hire
> in-house, their risk is minimized since they're already
> familiar with them as an employee."
>
> Here's his e-mail address: [email protected]/
>
 
captainrexk said:
Just want to throw out some things and get an opinion.
1) Is it "who you know & who you blow" when it comes to job searching, or is it lots of time spent (sweat equity)? Seems like I've always come "this close" to landing a gig, but always something happens whereas I don't get the gig. Y108 just hired "Officer" Mike Tyler for nights. He's been in Idaho, but worked with Welch & Woody years ago. Seems like he may have had a inside thing or 2. When I found out on the 'net....they already had done interviews & were ready to make a choice. And it took a wander over to Infinity's job site to find out that Y108 was even hiring! Sounds backhanded and inside, but I suppose it's legal, eh? It just seems like I wasted my time & effort in even applying. Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm not whining, I'm just frustrated because I'm somewhere where someone may have to die a horrible death before I'll even be considered for something else. I've been here long enough to gain a lot of experience, but it seems like I'll really never be able to use it here. So, I'd like to go somewhere where I can use these talents more.

2) I am pretty much responsible for 3 kids, my wife works during the day, 3x a week until 9. So, much of my time's taken away from a good job search campaign, and I'm probably missing out on a lot more than I know about. If there are any radio people who read this, I'd like to know how you deal with this. Do I a) divorce the wife & kids and break out on my own.....or b) do as my old man would call "tough it out"?

Any of youse radio folk are more than welcome to reply.


Here's my take on it:

This is nothing new. It's not necessarily a matter of who you blow or know...unless you are looking to land in a bigger market. I have been in the Pittsburgh radio market from 1990 to 1994, and I sure am glad I'm out. It's gotten worse than ever when it comes to job security, so I thank God for my small market gig that pays enough, though it won't make me rich. My soon-to-be-wife has a good job with the federal government that pays very well, so if I lose my gig here, we're not in immediate danger of losing the house or anything like that.

Presentation means a lot, too. If you're looking to be a major market jock in a prime daypart and nothing else, it might not be a bad idea to either consider downward mobility (some very good jocks have done this and have found themselves much happier) or perhaps even a career change. You work harder for a smaller paycheck, but the GM will know your name, family history, and ask you how your kids are doing. I wouldn't trade that for a million dollar a year gig in New York City. OK...maybe I would...but it sure as hell would be on MY TERMS!!!! But I'm not looking...I'm happy where I am.

Good luck and God speed, friend.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, I would love a job in radio but I have spoken to many big time people in radio (At least in Pittsburgh) and they said they only way you can do it is by finding another fulltime steady job with income and benefits and be a part time host / DJ somewhere in your free time and if you got the talent / love for radio and stick with it, you can someday find a full time radio job. But they said its hard to get a job right in the fulltime field and its very hard in the Pittsburgh field because stations are cutting back big time around here but if you are willing to re-locate to a small no name city and get a part time job, you can work your way up to the bigger markets.

Unfortunately the only air time I can get is at Sheetz.

"Hello welcome to Sheetz Pump Five Please Pay Inside When Your Done." haha
 
Being employed in a recruiting and staffing business (though not dealing with radio specifically), I can sympathize.
It is very frustrating to put a very good, qualified candidate in front of your client, one that you are 100% sure is
capable and qualified, only to get no response from them. It always leaves me holding the bag, having to make some excuse to my candidate on their behalf. Corporate HR departments are in many ways black-box operations. You are rarely if ever privvy to their processes or their thinking. But quite often, the individual hiring manager has already made a decision that he wants a certain candidate, and the HR Dept. is just going their due-diligence in covering the company's butt when it comes to EEOC. They are in the end pretty much free to make any decision they want, so long as all of the excuses are duly noted. And the more the government ratchets up EEOC enforcement, the sillier this dance becomes. I wish I had a good
answer for you.
 
The closest thing to a real answer I can give you is to accept a part-time role at any station, regardless of market size or format. Even if it's not the job of your dreams, the fact that you're in the business does give you some credibility and you can build on that by networking with people at other radio stations. Most of the gigs I had in my lifetime were by sending out unsolicited airchecks to radio stations, and I almost always got a callback. There are very few radio stations out there that aren't looking for part-time people. When you get the part-time gig, you may have to wait until something full-time opens up, if it happens. And if not, then keep looking...you'll at least have something to put on your resume that shows you're at least in the business. And more people who get the jobs are those who are in it right now in SOME capacity, as opposed to those who have been in it but aren't now at all. I wish you the best.
 
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