program directors returning calls

[Radio info Man]

As a program director do you return emails and calls from folks looking for a gig in the business? Some pd's do, some don't. I remember when I started in the business...I would try to call pds for help growing and learning, networking trying to land my first full-time gig. I would call and never could talk to them, always voice mail. Never received a call back. I told, myself when I'm a pd I will call back. I'm happy to say I do a large percentage of the time. Then sometimes I'm swamped with work and don't do it. How about U>?

 

[Radiogeek1019]

I wish PD's did return calls. Most PD's are jerks and won't even return an email.

 

[Kent]

What I've found is that most PD's will respond, but only if you make it easy enough. I always used to enclose a pre-printed letter and a SASE that the PD just had to sign to verify he received my package. When it comes to actually networking, I've found that the best way to do that is to schedule an appointment with the PD and have him go over the tape with you. Like the other poster, I've had the same problem with just getting to voicemail with more than a few. I've found the best way to get a PD to respond to your request for an appointment is to get ahold of him when you have access to him, like during an airshift or at a remote. I've also made friends with other jocks at stations and had them let the PD know I'd be calling. My experience has been less that PD's are jerks, though I've certainly dealt with more than a few jerks in this business, than that they have so much to do. In most cases, PD's are programming more than one station and have less help than they did 15 years ago.

 

[johnnyssr]

I have programmed for 15 years and I have returned every letter, phone call and email. Reason, you never know. I have never sent a "ding" letter and have always been honest so before anyone says "all" program directors, don't include myself. My advise to anyone who feels that they should bunch certain people into a group, before they know the situation, would be this, get better and my god grow up.

 

[bigdude9192]

I know its very difficult to land a gig when you young in the business and you can't get any feed back. I would always ask for comments, just to get better at the job search part.

 

[NOXPD]

I return phone calls and emails although I prescreen on my voice answering machine I don't take calls from unknown syndicators, to save them time since our lineup is pretty solid and won't be changed.

 

[Lafayette Unplugged]

Part of your job as PD should be to have a few good people ready to hire so you're never short-handed. Nobody's too busy to not take a 5-minute call so you won't be sitting there saying, "Gee, one of my weekenders quit and now I'm stuck! Better dust off this folder of tapes and resumes I haven't looked at in a year".
Plus, it's just courteous to return a phone call or voice mail. Don't burn a bridge and be considered a "jerk" for the rest of your tenure because you don't return calls.

Even if you just hire away from the other stations or think you don't need to take a phone call, you should consider it as important as anything else you do to keep the station running smoothly and sounding sharp.

When you're out rebooting computers on Christmas Eve instead of being with your wife and kids, you'll probably wish you would've taken a few more calls.

Also, the people who REALLY WANT TO WORK FOR YOU and love radio are the biggest pests. One of the things the PD should be looking for is, "Does this person want to bend over backwards for me or is he just trying to avoid working at Long John Silver".

 

[tjthedj]

Long John Silver probably pays better benefits, and smells better inside.

 

[Tired-Old-Dog]

I am in a city with well over a million people. I can't give my time to
everyone who wants my time. I wouldn't be able to do my job.

 

[Lafayette Unplugged]

I'll let you off the hook.
Return 5 calls this year. ;D

OWNER: "Why does our weekend on-air talent suck?
You should be doing your job looking for talent when we need it"
PD: "I didn't have time"

What will the owner say next?
Text 1 if you think it's "No biggie. I don't return calls either. There's alot of people in this city."
Text 2 if you think it's "You're done as of today. Our receptionist Beth will help you find boxes for your crap. I need a PD who is pro-active in cultivating new and cheap parttime help"

Vote...........NOW!

 

[CChase]

You think getting a PD to return a call (or even e-mail) is bad?

How about a Station Manager? Generally, I think they're worse...

Note how I said "generally." I don't want to offend ALL Station Managers.