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Frustrated PD Looking For Work
March 19, 2013
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It is easy to remember my days of applying for programming jobs and waiting for the phone to ring. Being superstitious, I would eat what I considered my lucky breakfast, lunch and dinner until I received word of a decision. These were considered lucky meals because, well, actually there was no reason; I guess it was my way of handling anxiety. Recently I had a conversation with an employed PD looking for the next opportunity. For obvious reasons, names, stations, and cities are not provided.
Frustrated: I am ready to get out of here and program somewhere else.
The Coach: I totally understand.
Frustrated: Well, what can we do to make something happen, my friend?
The Coach: It's about patience and keeping your ears open. Tradition is forever changing and adjustments in thinking are required in dealing with the realities of today's marketplace. The opportunities are all around us in places we never dreamed of. The skills you have are adaptable to all things.
Frustrated: I interviewed for this job and it went way past the scheduled time. The GM and I talked for over two hours; he even introduced me to several people around the station. He was supposed to get back to me by the next Wednesday, but I did not hear from him. So Thursday I shot him an e-mail and he replied back informing me it was between me and one other dude. Then I got some inside info from someone who knows someone at the station.
I am not so sure that I am a big fan of this GM. A buddy of mine tells me he heard that a cat named #### is coming to take the job. Some cat from Cumulus . Said they sealed the deal Friday. But that I was a close second. I am tired of being a CLOSE SECOND! I am not being cocky, but I am a damn good programmer. My stations are all SOLID! What the f##k am I doing wrong?
I mean really, bring in a dude, not winning where he is, to program winning stations when my s##t is doing good? Quite frankly, the GM can kiss my a## and so can Clear Channel if they can't see how well I would help their digital presentation. To be honest, they have a bunch of older cats up at iHeartradio trying to do something that NONE of them have formal training in. At least that is what I went to school for.
The Coach: Winning is not always the sole criterion. Many a skilled PD has done a great job just getting their station to another level.
Never take not getting hired personally; it really takes a bit of luck too! Your skills are in place, it is a matter of time. In my career there were jobs I got, that I should not have, and several I should have that I didn't. It is a matter of percentages, it just takes one person to say yes, and then you forget about all the no's.
Frustrated: Agreed.
The Coach: Sometimes guys that did not hire me, made recommendations to others and came back to me later if their original hire did not work out. I always created relationships with those who almost hired me.
Frustrated: As I try to do, but this guy, he made it sound like I was the guy. What happened?
The Coach: It sounds like it was a tossup. But it is not a deal with this alleged other PD until something is announced. Remember, everything is heresy outside of the actual individuals involved. If this other person gets hired, the only way to know why you did not get the job is to ask the GM. But first wait for an announcement and not third-party information of a rumor.
Frustrated: The GM was to get back with me about the job two days ago.
The Coach: I never treat hiring deadlines as absolutes. I too have been guilty in the past of missing a few by three or four days. Things happen, who knows, maybe there was a problem with billing for the cluster or some family problem. Try to relax and concentrate on the job you do have.
Conclusion
The good news for this PD is that he is working and continues to get interviews for other jobs. Oh, and by the way, the rumored guy to get the gig he was also in contention for? The gentleman was hired by another station and the job in question still remains open. The morale of the story: Never listen to well-intended inside information; the only person that knows who will be hired is the one making the final decision.
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