Chapter 8 Analyzing Job Descriptions

1. Chapter 8Analyzing Job Descriptions There is no way to better gauge your readiness for a particular job than to look over a detailed job description or job profile. As when we learned to analyze career ladders in chapters 5 and 6, we’ll now dissect two job descriptions so that you are familiar with the job description analysis process. Let’s start with a job profile for a record label intern, reprinted from Career Opportunities in the Music Industry.

2. Record Label Intern Career Profile Duties: Performing tasks in specific departments of a record company while learning the business under the direction of management Alternate title: Trainee Salary Range: $0 - $15,000 Employment Prospects: Fair Advancement Prospects: Good Best Geographical Locations for Position: New York, LA, Nashville

3. Prerequisites: Education or Training: High school diploma minimum, other requirements depend on position Experience: No experience required Special Skills and Personality Traits: Eagerness to learn; brightness; aggresiveness; knowledge of music and/or recording business; other skills, dependent on specific position Career Ladder: • Clerical position • Student Intern • Staffer in department

4. Position Description • Label intern performs many of the same duties as staff • Works under supervision of department head • Can be in one or multiple departments depending on size and structure of label • Interns duties usually start with handling tedious work no one else wants to do • As experience is gained, more duties and learning opportunities are included

5. Paid or not, intern is expected to function as paid employee • Always punctual • Dress appropriately (observe fellow workers – some labels are more informal than others) • Learn as much as possible about all aspects of business • Ask questions, volunteer for as much hands-on as possible • Intern responsible to supervisor • If internship is part of college requirement, a paper on work experience is usually expected (@ UIW it is in the form of a journal)

6. A good intern has a fairly good chance of becoming a member of the company staff after the internship has concluded! • What is a good intern! • 1st to arrive – last to leave • 1st to volunteer • Cheerful positive attitude • Demonstrates initiative

7. Burgundy Woods RodriguezClass of 2005 Best example of a good intern that was immediately offered a job upon completing internship. UIW Music Industry Studies Graduate. • Unpaid internship • 1st to arrive, 1st to volunteer, last to leave, • Interviewed all executives at Virgin and interscope

8. Salaries • Most internships are not paid • College credit is sometimes the only benefit (besides acquired knowledge and experience) • Paid internship can range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on how long they last

9. Employment Prospects • Despite low or no pay, many people seek these internships • They are available in multiple departments of every large record label • Smaller labels have fewer internships but exist in many of the smaller markets • Some are available through college programs

10. Advancement Prospects • An outstanding performance as an intern almost always guarantees a job at a label! • After label invests time and training, they have a vested interest in hiring intern (if they are outstanding!) • Former interns can advance rapidly in most departments • They start as staffers and transition to coordinators, supervisors, or directors in various departments

11. Education and Training • Interns at a label may only have to have HS diploma • College students may get internship for college credit through school assistance. (let’s discuss!) • Industry majors have huge advantage! (not in book) • Why? Labels prefer college students doing internships for credit for two reasons: • (1) They know students are graded • (2) They know students have been studying the business

12. Experience/Skills/Personality • Interns don’t need experience (sure looks good on a resume) • Desire to enter industry and eagerness to learn necessary • Chosen individuals are bright, articulate, aggressive, and have pleasant personalities • Students or recent graduates are likely to start in clerical positions before moving to internship (not always the case) • Author suggests reviewing other label positions in Career Opportunities in the Music Industry

13. Tips for Entry: • If you’re in a Music Industry program, check with your faculty advisor about internships • Contact record labels and other music related companies to see if they offer internships • If you live in one of the music capitols try to visit companies personally • Interns often chosen from ranks of clerical workers, try to contact the head of the department you want to intern in

14. Why Is This Important? If you’re serious about a career in the music industry, you must unearth this type of detailed job and earnings information. If you haven’t done the research and you just blunder along, how do you know you’re going to get where you want? How will you know a job has the potential to earn what you want to earn?

15. Job Descriptions Next is a job description for a position creating music and sound effects for a computer-game developer. Observing this helps you lay out a career roadmap, which is the specific skills, talents, and experience needed to obtain that position and prosper in a particular area of the industry. By developing a career roadmap, you will be able to know where you’re headed and if you have arrived, so don’t embark on your career without one.

16. With a job description in hand, take an inventory of the skills and knowledge required to fill the position successfully, and determine the areas in which you may be lacking in knowledge

17. Job Title: Game and sound designer; full-time salaried position Position Summary: This person will work with software designers and senior sound staff to create music and sounds for the company’s latest products. In addition to maintaining the highest possible audio-production values, the sound designer will be responsible for adhering to the stylistic approach determined for the specific product. Ability to complete work within an established timeline is required.

18. Job Responsibilities: • Edit sound effects and synchronize with animation and other interactive elements of the product • Edit dialog • Compose music segments, songs, and cues to enhance the product • Arrange music for the types of synthesizers utilized in PC and Mac computers as well as general MIDI synthesizers • Review s ounds and music to be developed with product-development team and software engineers to ensure playability

19. Stay current on various developments in MIDI playback systems for computer applications Qualifications: • Ability to compose music in a wide range of musical styles • Four-year degree in music or equivalent practical musical knowledge that can be demonstrated through composition and arranging examples • Extensive experience arranging music for various types of synthesizers including those commonly used in the general MIDI specification, Throrough knowledge of synthesis techniques, patch editing, and sequencing software.

20. Familiarity with digital sound editing tools such as Digital Performer, Pro Tools, and Sound Forge. Strong under-standing of the principles of digital audio and the physical properties of sound. Must know the basic sound properties of the various families of music instruments (strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, etc.). • Experience with Macintosh, Windows, and MS-DOS computers required. Basic knowledge of computer language such as C++ helpful but not mandatory. Practical experience in a recording studio environment is a plus.

21. Analysis • Job description clearly written – lots of specific info on required skills and experience • Although not spelled out, candidate should have experience playing video games • Game scoring similar to film scoring, music enhances action • Candidate will have experience as composer, sound designer, & arranger and be well versed in all things MIDI • Note: although composing is usually a solitary pursuit, this position requires frequent interaction with other members of team

22. Working collaboratively and adhering to deadlines may be as important as innate compositional abilities • Videogame creation requires dozens of individuals working as a team towards completion of final product • Candidate should also be proficient at editing dialog and working in a recording studio setting

23. Conclusion This job description makes it easy to create a checklist of the skills that are required and for a candidate to then compare his or her skill set to see if this person is in fact a viable candidate for the position.