• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Looking for work...

R

Radioguy75067

Guest
I am looking for my next (any) radio gig and I was hoping that I could get some insight from you guys.

I was working for 910AM KXEB (owned by BMP Radio) when it was an Air America Affiliate. That was my first and only job in radio thus far. (Email me at [email protected] and I will explain how I got the job if you would like to know) I did all the Station Imaging, Commercial Production, Station Production, Morning News & Traffic Production, Board Operations, and Remote Operations and helped the promotions department. I also was an assistant to the engineer. (Mostly cause I was interested in the craft of maintaining a radio station and also, I was closer to the station than the engineer by about an hour)

I show up at least 30 - 45 minutes BEFORE my shift! I have great knowledge of Scott Systems, I do most of my production on Vegas 6 and Sound Forge, I have great knowledge of Adobe Audition, I have a Pro Tools program, but I don’t have an interface (Mbox) to install it or else I would have knowledge of it too. I can produce anything! I have an extensive library of royalty free music beds, (about 200 CDs worth) and I am currently working on getting "The General" sound library. I am even starting to work with Adobe Photoshop. I am easy to get along with and really like working in a team environment, which is if that even exists in radio anymore below the corporate level. I don't mind wearing several "hats" when it comes to my job. I even have an online radio station that I would like to launch to showcase some of my abilities, if I could ever get the monthly income from my job to support it. I just don't get it, I have some great qualities, but I can't even get an interview!

I digress.... I have gone to every radio station in Dallas and dropped off my resume and filled out applications where I was given one. I have sent anywhere from 8-15 emails to every job position that I see an ad about (not all at once, its just that I send them emails whenever they renew the ad), but I still can't seem to get anything. I got a call back once from Jack FM, and even a tour out of it, but that is as far as it has gone. I work as a backup for BIZ Radio 1360 AM, but 6 hours a week is not cutting it.

There seems to be an extensive wealth of knowledge here on the Dallas radio market, and more than likely some PDs. So I was wondering if anyone had some inside knowledge as to how to get a job in this market. I have tried everything that I was taught in school and what I have learned from people that I have met in the business, but it all seems to not be working. I have sent in so many emails to apply for a PT Board op Position at CBS Radio (which the ad has been posted for the last 6 months) that I'm pretty sure that they have either banned my email address by now or have flagged it as spam! It's not that I want to work for CBS specifically; I'm just using that situation as an example. If anyone knows of something that I can do to better my chances to work in this market, I would greatly appreciate ant input you might have. I guess the next step would be to rent a billboard, but I can't afford that...LOL. I would even like to work for a production house if anyone knows of one in Dallas that is looking for a production assistant. Anything would help at this point!
 
Well the first thing I often hear is, "it’s not what you know, it is who you know". Befriending those who already work in the business is a good first step. It might also be wise to look for work in smaller markets first. The experience will help and this will also give you more opportunities to get to know others.

R
 
Radioguy75067 said:
I am looking for my next (any) radio gig and I was hoping that I could get some insight from you guys.

I was working for 910AM KXEB (owned by BMP Radio) when it was an Air America Affiliate. That was my first and only job in radio thus far. (Email me at [email protected] and I will explain how I got the job if you would like to know) I did all the Station Imaging, Commercial Production, Station Production, Morning News & Traffic Production, Board Operations, and Remote Operations and helped the promotions department. I also was an assistant to the engineer. (Mostly cause I was interested in the craft of maintaining a radio station and also, I was closer to the station than the engineer by about an hour)

I show up at least 30 - 45 minutes BEFORE my shift! I have great knowledge of Scott Systems, I do most of my production on Vegas 6 and Sound Forge, I have great knowledge of Adobe Audition, I have a Pro Tools program, but I don’t have an interface (Mbox) to install it or else I would have knowledge of it too. I can produce anything! I have an extensive library of royalty free music beds, (about 200 CDs worth) and I am currently working on getting "The General" sound library. I am even starting to work with Adobe Photoshop. I am easy to get along with and really like working in a team environment, which is if that even exists in radio anymore below the corporate level. I don't mind wearing several "hats" when it comes to my job. I even have an online radio station that I would like to launch to showcase some of my abilities, if I could ever get the monthly income from my job to support it. I just don't get it, I have some great qualities, but I can't even get an interview!

I digress.... I have gone to every radio station in Dallas and dropped off my resume and filled out applications where I was given one. I have sent anywhere from 8-15 emails to every job position that I see an ad about (not all at once, its just that I send them emails whenever they renew the ad), but I still can't seem to get anything. I got a call back once from Jack FM, and even a tour out of it, but that is as far as it has gone. I work as a backup for BIZ Radio 1360 AM, but 6 hours a week is not cutting it.

There seems to be an extensive wealth of knowledge here on the Dallas radio market, and more than likely some PDs. So I was wondering if anyone had some inside knowledge as to how to get a job in this market. I have tried everything that I was taught in school and what I have learned from people that I have met in the business, but it all seems to not be working. I have sent in so many emails to apply for a PT Board op Position at CBS Radio (which the ad has been posted for the last 6 months) that I'm pretty sure that they have either banned my email address by now or have flagged it as spam! It's not that I want to work for CBS specifically; I'm just using that situation as an example. If anyone knows of something that I can do to better my chances to work in this market, I would greatly appreciate ant input you might have. I guess the next step would be to rent a billboard, but I can't afford that...LOL. I would even like to work for a production house if anyone knows of one in Dallas that is looking for a production assistant. Anything would help at this point!
Click to expand...

Radioguy,

You sound like a nice guy and know a lot. It puzzles me why CBS hasn't called upon your services or anybody else. Hang in there, it's a tough industry to be in right now.

Log in to TAB to find daily openings. It's a good source. Good luck my friend i hope you find something!
 
I wish you luck with your search. Your description of yourself sounds like a highly motivated person.
 
Robert;s advice is pretty sound. Market 5 is tough to get in,especially with two broadcast schools,two universities in the area with RTF students ( not to mention Mesquite ISD),other producers,programmers who are unemployed or seeking to move.

So what can make you standout? Address yourself. What package am I sending? How is my letter(cover) worded? Correct grammar,no errors?
What type of audio sampler am I submitting?; cassette? website? CD?. How long is it? 3 to 5 min. is enough. The first 50 seconds is crucial.

How does it look? Labeling. Plain and simple with name ,address,contact info, is the best way to go. Picasso,or movie imagery is not.

Finally comes the attitude, once an interview is granted.
How are you dressed? Shirt hanging out? Hair out of place? Is your moustache,beard(if you have one) neatly trimmed. Wearing slacks not jeans? Sports jacket at least?

How do you present yourself?Are you a good listener as well as a talker?
Do you come across as "A know it all"?"Are you sitting up straight,and making eye contact? Do you refrain from any "negativity" "My last employer was a $#%$,"they didn't offer ME..."Do you swear a lot?

These are suggestions that can help you,provided that you can actually see your self doing,and decide its time for a new approach.

Can you be upbeat without being cocky?
Robert suggested small markets to start. That is good advice,BUT they are (thanks to consolidation and a very weak FCC) almost vanishing of the landscape ,and becoming "rimshots" or they are satellite programming. Some major market,producers, announcers actually had in the last 10 years gone to smaller markets. The money surprisingly was almost the same in some cases,BUT they were happier.

Corporate radio websites FYI are usually for EOE purposes. They usually have someone in mind to hire,but need to give the public an "equal Opportunity to apply.

So hang in there,and best of luck.
 
If you really want your foot in the door, check on grunt jobs in the promo department...

Sure you'll make diddly squat, and spend a fair amount of time hanging banners, trying to register people for prizes, etc, but it gets you in the door. And I know of at least a couple of stations that ALWAYS seem to be hiring...

And as a guy that hires for some of the positions you've mentioned, I'll tell you flat out: If my promo director says you're dependable, hardworking, etc, I'm MUCH more likely to give you a chance than some guy off the street...
 
Thanks guys, all of you have helped me think of some stuff that I can improve on or try anew. I was hoping that I would not have to go the promotions route, but I guess that seems to be the only way to go. I just hate the thought of going back to being looked at as if I know nothing. I have spent too much time and money to have that being waived in my face and not taken seriously. I guess I will get a game plan together (since the goal has changed now) and start applying to all the promotions departments in Dallas. I just hope that they don't get mad when they find out that I am working for two or three stations just so that I can afford my bills. Once again, Thanks Guys, I am very pleased with the feedback that I have gotten!
 
Look at it this way... Promotions or Janitorial. What's the lesser of two evils? ;D

R
 
I've been in this industry for over 30 years now, and the biggest thing I've learned is indeed its who you know. Secondary to that, its what school you went to. I tried to break into the Metroplex starting as early as 1980 (granted, only a few years into my career), but even then, I could not get a foot in the door even working overnights at the lowest rated station.

All the jobs then went to North Texas grads. It has changed since then, but you can look at every station in the metroplex and find the influence of North Texas.

The best advice I can give to you is to seriously look at something outside the market. There are still some very good markets out there that are looking for good talent. Wichita Falls, Tyler, Brownwood, Waco, San Angelo, Abilene are all within driving distance.

The TAB suggestion was also excellent. You don't have to be a member to post an ad. Good luck to you.

John
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom