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Journalism Radio Jobs - Career Advice

L

lookmanohands

Anyone want to share some career advice with part-time-looking-for-full-time news radio producer?

I'm really looking for specific help on my resume/cover letter/demo tape. I have the field experience--but when it comes to the application process...well, I'm pretty clueless (or I'm just too busy gathering tape for the next freelance piece that's due!).

Websites, cover letter/demo examples. Any input is good input (except the whole get out while you still can lecture that some like to give. I would if I could, but radio for me is sort of an addiction).
 
No hands-

The fact that you have a passion for this business is a big advantage for you right off the bat. I hate to sound like an old man at 26, but for people getting out of school today, there are fewer and fewer that have the drive and motivation to work in radio. Perhaps thats due to the internet and other "distractions." So props to you for still having the "addiction."

The best advice I can give you is indeed a radio cliche, but not the one you were afraid of. "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Network, network, network. Talk to friends and colleagues. Find out who they know. It's OK to contact stations out of the blue, but make sure the first sentence out of your mouth is NOT "can you give me a job." Get to know as many people as you can. This is a small business, and people tend to look out for each other. That's also why you should be nice to everyone and not burn bridges, too. You never know who you will cross paths with again.

I'm a Top 40 guy, but I also have experience in news, and some of this stuff is pretty universal. SAVE EVERYTHING YOU DO. You never know when it might come in handy. And as far as putting a demo together, make sure it's got different stuff on it - feature pieces, hard news, an interview if you have it, etc. Make sure the first thing on your tape is the best. News directors and program directors have a tendency to push (or click) stop a few seconds in if they don't like what they hear. Shorter is better than longer. If someone is interested, you can always send them more stuff. But if you inundate them with too much on a tape, they may lose interest. And on the off chance they do make it to the end of your tape, make sure you finish strong as well.

Hope thats a start - curious to see what the others have to add.

-Jag
Night Guy
95 Triple X - WXXX
Burlington, VT
 
argytunes agrees with night guy... ;)

SAVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO!

Not only is your good stuff an excellent way to get your foot in the door...but many of your original ideas can be upgraded and recycled in the future.

Best of luck in your journalistic career.

argytunes
 
Good for you "No Hands"! I've always said that passion plus skill equals money. If you want something badly enough - and you work to hone your craft, you can have whatever you want from this business. Focus on what you want and go get it!
 
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