How to find a job in the radio industry

1. How to find a job in the radio industry

2. What job would you be most interested in? Radio Producer: • Radio Producers work in both speech-based and music Radio. • Play a key role in creating what is heard by listeners – aren’t usually heard on air themselves. Responsibilities: • Creating and co-ordinating the content of Radio programmes • Managing the creative process - Involved with the business and technical aspects of programmes.

3. What qualifications would it be good to have? Do I need a degree? A degree in radio is not always essential but would be good in any other media related subject. Undertaking a graduate course: • Determine whether the course offers a good grounding in practical Radio production skills. • Has good contacts with the Radio industry • If the students are successful in obtaining work in Radio AFTER the degree.

4. How did Marcus get his chance in the Radio business and what is his role now? Applied for internships at several local radio stations – got rejected. Once he completed uni and obtained a degree in ‘Media production’, he then applied for more internships. Finally received a reply from the local radio station ‘Rock FM’, who were happy to give him some experience.

5. How did Marcus get his chance in the Radio business and what is his role now? Through gaining the experience from ‘Rock FM’, Marcus then received a reply from ‘Bang Radio’ Offered an UNPAID internship doing: • Voice overs • Station imaging • Tea making • Shadowing

6. How did Marcus get his chance in the Radio business and what is his role now? Through having a regular spot on ‘Bang FM’, Marcus then got recognition from ‘BBC Radio 1Xtra’ who gave him the chance to: • Have unpaid experience for several months • See how things worked at a commercial radio station • Made tea – mingled with people working at the station, got the chance to learn what other people did at the station.

7. How did Marcus get his chance in the Radio business and what is his role now? • After the unpaid experience, Marcus was called back to ‘BBC Radio 1Xtra’ who couldn’t give him anymore unpaid experience so they had to play him. • Became a freelancer • Gained access to the internal job site.

8. What would you do first before sending in an application? Build up my CV so that it includes radio related content. Volunteer to help at local radio stations to gain some experience – doing either runner work by making tea or providing general help around the building. Show that in my CV, I can tick all of the boxes that the employer requires.

9. How important is being a runner or volunteer to get a job in radio? Being a runner or volunteer means that you can: • Gain experience through socialising with employees. • Get on friendly terms with employees so that they can show you what they do. • Build up your knowledge of the area you are particularly interested in.

10. How might working for a community radio help with this? By working at a community radio station, you can: • Have an insight into how basic equipment works. • Learn the key elements of radio that will be required in commercial radio stations. • Gaining new abilities.

11. What qualities and skills would you need? To be a successful radio producer, you need the following: • Ability to generate original ideas - think of creative ways to communicate them. • Excellent writing and story-telling skills that can suit different audiences and platforms. • Ability to work independently but also as part of a team. • Self-motivation and adaptability • Ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines