by Derrick Scott
The best way to gain experience and knowledge from others is by sharing – exchanging ideas, philosophies and experiences.
“You can rarely pay back the generosity of those who have helped you on your journey – but you can always Pay It Forward.”
Your time at school is up. If you’re well-disciplined and understand the competitive nature of the business, you’ve already been looking for your first opportunity. Don’t wait until the end of school to start your hunt, your classmates aren’t, and the thousands of other radio broadcasting students across the country aren’t.
Having been on both sides of the table, a student myself seeking that break, and a Program Director, hiring graduating students, I may be able to offer some advice, advice that most of your professors have tried to instill in you, and hopefully it has resonated.
Be open to opportunities outside of your comfort zone. Set aside your personal music tastes if you are seeking an on air position. If you want to work in a particular format, and are hell bent on that one format, you are shutting the door on other possibilities. No one said you couldn’t listen to your music outside of work.
I’ve often suggested to students that they apply for positions in formats they may not know, offering them an opportunity to learn another format, style of music as they build their career one format at a time.
I remember my first gig out of school, it’s wasn’t my dream job, or dream format. I worked in a small market, on an AM oldies station playing 50s and 60s. What did I know about oldies music, songs that were released way before I was even thought of? Nothing, but I took the initiative to learn, and soon was offered a promotion.
I recall being asked to meet with my PD. I was informed that the company needed a Music Director yesterday. I was asked what I knew about a Selector (remember this was over twenty years ago), and how much knowledge I had on the oldies format. I admitted not much but was willing to learn. No questions, or comments, I was simply handed the quarter inch discs then told, “You’re now the Music Director. You’ll need to learn the format, and switch over the music system to Selector. You’ve got one week”
The skills and knowledge that I quickly learned assisted me at becoming a Music Director in several formats for many stations, and helped me achieve my long term goal of becoming a Program Director, a lot sooner than expected.
Moving to a small city or town in another province might also be out of your comfort zone. There is nothing wrong with having a goal of working in your home province in a major market one day; however the likelihood of that happened right out of school is slim. Be prepared to start your career in a small market, unless you want to start in a major market doing casual part time, maybe not in your field, with hopes (and no guarantee) that you will work your way up.
That small market position will involve more than one job, you’ll need to be or become a jack of all trades. Those who have the ability to do more than one position with ease are those who end up finding work after school, and remain in the industry. Take this as another opportunity to learn and develop your skills, especially new skills. Those techniques could help you get closer to your dream position when the time is right. Don’t look at your first gig, in a format or town you may not like or be familiar with as a prison sentence. Be thankful you have a job in an industry that is shrinking; embrace it, learn from it, let it teach, shape, and mold you, getting you ready for your future.
Your first gig could save your ass down the road. Regardless if you are on air, in production, creative, or promotions…your first job is where you can make all of those rookie mistakes; learn from them, and hopefully still keep your job.
Major markets are not as forgiving, understandably.
If your first experience is in unfamiliar territory don’t become a hermit. Don’t become a hermit wherever you go, especially in a new town. Join service clubs, many of them are in need of young blood, with fresh ideas. Become a part of the Business Network Association, key if you are entering sales. Or volunteer with a charity. Become a part of the community.
Be seen, don’t hide behind social media. If you’re in front of the mic, or behind the scenes make a point of showing up at as many station, and community events as possible, introducing yourself to people you may not have met: life experience.
It’s that life experience that will nurture you into becoming a personality on the air, and not a liner reader. That life experience through speaking and meeting new people will strengthen your communication skills, benefit you in any position, inside and outside of radio.
Speaking of life experience, work hard at balancing “work and life.” You need to make a positive impression however that doesn’t mean working eighty hours a week. You need your down time to re-charge, and enjoy life. At the end of the day it’s radio. It’s not brain surgery, and you are not saving lives. Having a life outside of work, in the long run will benefit your work as well.
Network. Network. Network. Something your college hopefully got you ready to do. Networking with your classmates, or others who have been in the industry in a large market is fine, but the majority of your networking should be with those who can help you move onto that next opportunity.
Take ninety percentage of what you learned, and throw it out of the window. What you were taught will be completely different from how the first, second; third station runs its operation. Go with the flow, don’t over question. Questions are good but only in the right context.
You might think you know everything because you were in the top of your class, but there is a huge difference between school and the real world. Be a sponge. When I started my career, I found that I learned more about my position, and the industry by listening to others, constantly filing away ideas, and pulling them out when the time was right, and asking a lot of questions.
Whether you’re just entering the industry, or you’re a seasoned pro, take the initiative to ask for feedback on your performance. Being open to feedback, and especially demonstrating the willingness to ask for it was always a deciding factor when I was attempting to fill a position.
Way before you land your first job after your college sends you on your way into the real world, there is the interview.
We could devote a book to some of the “do-s and don’t-s” but we will leave you with some quick thoughts:
-Do your research. Know everything there is to know about the station, competition, and city.
-Ask a lot of questions, and not only “how much does the position pay” Find out what the challenges are that the station faces, offering how you can assist at addressing them.
-Make eye contact with everyone. It sounds basic, but in many interview settings there is more than one person in the room.
-Demonstrate that you have been listening to the station.
-Do a pre-interview with yourself.
Most importantly, in so many words, ask for the job.
These are a few suggestions that I’ve shared with hundreds of students over the year who have found work in the business. Many students that have practised these approaches I ended up hiring them right out of college.
Good luck, and happy job hunting Class Of 2012!
Posted: April 25th, 2012
Contact Derrick: derrickscott.ont@gmail.com
Derrick Scott is a multi-skilled Program Director with close to 20 years experience, including CHR/AC/Classic Hits formats and is regular contributor to RadioViz.com.
