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So, you want to get a job in the Music Industry?

• 27th May 2010

OK so you’ve finished university, you’ve got your Music related degree in hand? Maybe you’re fresh out of school? Maybe you’ve been running gigs in your local town and you want to know more?.. HELL, maybe you want to join a traveliing tribute band?

So begins the next step of getting that coveted ‘foot in the door’… here is some practical advice I wish I’d been given right at the start…

First and foremost, you need to choose the part of the industry you want to work in!… now, this seems obvious, but to really get the job, you need to make a targeted assault! Also… here are some interesting points to consider:

Facts: A total of 102,210 individuals are employed in the UK Music Industry, with Live Performance accounting for the greatest proportion (50,780). Overall, employment in Music between 2006 and 2008 increased by a total of 8%

88% for the Music workforce are in England and a quarter of all people working in Music do so in London. 6% work in Scotland, 4% in Wales and 2% in Northern Ireland.

When it comes to qualifications, 40% of people working in Music have at least a level 4 qualifications (equivalent to two or more A Levels). In contrast, nearly 1 in 10 have no qualifications. (source: link)

OK, so, there are a bunch of ‘main’ areas in the industry to look at, Live, Recording, Artist Management & Publishing… but don’t discount other areas, like the fast growing Digital sector & Education!

Pick where you’re headed, and do your research… chances are, you already know!

There are a number of sites you can use to apply for internships/ full time jobs/ work experience etc, and here are a few I’d recommend from using them myself…

UK Music Jobs: link for this site I’d HIGHLY recommend you join properly, pay the fee (a snip at about £7 a month) and get applying! There’s a fantastic range of jobs on there too, just make sure you sign up for the alerts!

Music Week for Jobs: link … I’d only approach this site if you have already had a job in the industry (and by job, I mean at least a year's worth of full time paid employment), the companies advertise here through larger recruiters, so a stab in the dark, is normally going to end up stabbing a recruitment specialist, who will promptly click delete on your carefully prepared but naively submitted application!

Stage Jobs: link … again, this is a paid site, mainly for theatre professionals, if you want to build up your experience in live work & theatre production.

CareersInMusic: link … there’s a fantastic up to date listing here for new internships at EMI, this is a limited website, but it’s also worth a look!

Guardian Jobs: link the guardian has a fantastic array of jobs across all industries, including music, the direct link to the page is here!

The next step now you’ve found the sites is to get your CV looking great, really spend some time on this, and don’t miss anything out, no matter how small, all your achievements count, and don’t forget to customise it to each job description!… and this seems like an obvious thing to say, but SPELLCHECK, SPELLCHECK, SPELLCHECK… I have known a number of employers who will simply bin a badly spelled CV… even if you could have been the perfect candidate for the job, first impressions count, and handing in a poorly spelled CV/ covering letter is on par with turning up to the interview strongly whiffing of whiskey!

Handy hints: When you’re applying for jobs, bad news guys, a Degree/BTEC/A level on it’s own does not make you qualified or experienced, consider it a foundation!… aim for the internships and work experience placements… these are often unpaid, and yes, that’s a pain, but it’s the only way to go! Some bigger companies, offer paid internship schemes, keep an eye out for those, but don’t forget they are few and far between!… don’t waste yours OR the companies time applying to be the Director of Digital for EMI… needless to say, it’d be highly unlikely you’d get the job!

Once you’ve sent your application, wait… then after about a week, CALL or if you’re feeling shy, an email will sometimes do… they will appreciate a call more though!

Some people may advise the ‘door knocking’ approach… personally, I do NOT… I once knocked on the door of a large music agency in London to hand them a CV… after fighting with the receptionist on the buzzer, and on the phone, I was finally granted entry, and promptly led back out… moral of the story… post it through the letter box!.. Equally, there's nothing better than meeting someone face to face, just don't make a case for them to call security!

Additionally, some people may recommend badgering the companies! This will rarely work in your favour, and you will end up getting ignored or told where to stick it… but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be firm and persistent!

AND of course, in the meantime do your own thing, get involved! Volunteer at the summer festivals… put on a gig in your local pub… start writing a blog reviewing the shows you go to… set up a podcast… hell, set up your OWN label!

Now, this could go on forever, there are endless pieces of advice you’ll receive and sites you’ll find, here are just a few to get you started that I have tried and tested (and gained employment through!)

The ultimate thing that everyone starting in the industry needs to remember is… ‘Be careful not to tread on anyone on the way up, because you’ll meet them on the way back down!’… Oh and if you can help each other by sharing links and advice, that’s all the better… many hands make light work

Good luck all