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The Best Laid Plans
January 29, 2013
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. It is always good to reach back for information from contacts at your internship.
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If you are just beginning your career as a program or promotions director, it is important to always have three plans handy for any proposal; Plan A, B, and C. There are always reasons why the best laid plans need altering. Regardless, always have the other plans ready just in case. It was a valuable lesson that a General Manager once taught me, “what if”. You need to over prepare in this business and in life.
Getting Your First Commercial Radio Job
Question:
I graduate in June with a degree in Music Communications. I have worked at my college-station for two years and an internship at a station last winter. We learned how to put together a demo last semester, but I am still not sure how to go about getting a job. I have submitted over 100 resumes without any responses. Do you have any advice?Answer:
It is always good to reach back for information from contacts at your internship. There might be a job there. Also, contact the Pd's in your town and ask for advice on how to get a job. Make that person a mentor and ask if they would mind critiquing your work. This approach might speed up the process for finding your first radio job.
Once You’re Hired:
 Prepare a list of questions and concerns
- Find out if there is a company manual that explains procedures in various departments
- Ask what calendar days of the month you are to be paid
- How are paid remotes distributed among the air-staff.
- Is there a production schedule and what is the turn around time on an assigned commercial
- Who is responsible for writing commercial copy
- Are sales reps required to attend their client remotes
- Can you work several overnight shifts in advance of your upcoming regular shift; it will give you time to learn the board and execute the format.
- In case of studio problems or missing commercials, who should be immediately contacted
- If part-time, are you paid only for hours already worked or can you also include hours scheduled for the upcoming weekend of the week timesheets are due
- What are the remote procedures for the in-studio jock and the person performing the live cut-ins
You can not anticipate everything, but there are many questions you need to ask your Pd and not your co-workers. Do not just e-mail or hand the list to the Pd, have it handy when you ask if he or she have a few minutes to answer a few questions. This process will establish that you are organized and think things through before moving forward.
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