Back–to–School Broadcasting Job Search

In summer, it's easy to get lazy about your broadcasting job search. As temperatures climb, thoughts of broadcasting schools and apprenticeship programs melt like ice cream from your mind. As the days get hotter, it's tempting to spend the hours fooling around on your buddy's slip 'n' slide, lathering in baby oil, and making pilgrimages to the local lake. But here's a little secret: summer is the perfect time to conduct a successful job search. The reason why? Everyone else is busy slip 'n' sliding, applying baby oil, and going to the lake.

Beat the heat and the competition by strengthening your resolve to land a broadcasting job this summer. Here's some hot tips on how to do it:

Do your homework. We know, we know, it's summer. But researching background information about your desirable broadcasting stations is one of the quickest ways to separate yourself from more amateur applicants. Many broadcasting hopefuls bound into an interview professing an ardent love for the station in question, but are then unable to answer the most elementary questions about it. For the good of your job search, find out the basic company history, who its major players are, skim its mission statement, and read any other news you can find. An "About Us" Section is a great place to start, but quoting a secondary source (i.e. "I enjoyed your critique of the FFC in the New York Times") is a lot more effective than "So I see you love dogs." Many broadcasting schools or apprenticeships programs have client connections that could make this part a breeze.

Perfect Your Pitch. In a broadcasting job, you have to be able to prepare a soundbite or synopsis that crisply and compellingly summarizes your point. In a short amount of time, you need to able to get across your information, why it's important, maybe clear up any rumors surrounding the subject, and do so in an entertaining fashion. A job interview is no different. When you go into that broadcasting interview, you can't ramble or fumble or lose your train of thought. You need to create a succinct summary of your skills and personality, and then keep reiterating them throughout the interview to leave a lasting impression. Broadcasting schools devote many hours to teaching this skill, so don't be frustrated if it takes a while to perfect your pitch.

Proof Positive. For every bright-eyed job interviewee that comes in boasting about their amazing work ethic and appetite for Xeroxing, there is employer who thinks that talk is cheap. While it is important to be able to communicate about your skills, it is equally important to have something to back it up. From reference letters to writing samples, demo tapes or radio clips, don't come to an interview empty-handed. Try to find something in addition to your resume to bring to the interview. If you don't have any experience, many broadcasting schools and apprenticeship programs help you prepare demo tapes and radio clips.

Be a Professional. Despite the laid-back appearance of a broadcasting station, it is important to remain professional during the interview process. Even if the hiring manager uses slang to communicate with you or emerges wearing Urban Outfitters moccasins, don't fall into the trap of thinking you are one of the team. While you may think mimicking their style and personality will help them view you as an equal, this is not the right approach. Until you are employed, they will not consider you an equal, and you're chances of becoming employed increase if you act respectful and polished in your interview. Use proper grammar, don't chew gum and iron your clothes.

Even if you are freshly graduated or have only just decided to pursue a broadcasting career, there is still plenty of ways to land a broadcasting job. A great way to gain interview confidence, create a demo and make contacts in the field is to enroll in a broadcasting school or broadcasting apprenticeship program. These sorts of training programs help you build knowledge of the industry, gain radio clips and contacts and introduce you to the nuances of the broadcasting field, all of which will give your interview an edge. If you've had a few broadcasting interviews that haven't gone well or are just looking for a way to break into broadcasting, consider enrolling in a broadcasting school or broadcasting apprenticeship. Places like the National Broadcasting Network can be a valuable beginning to a fabulous broadcasting career. Click here to learn more.