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9 Steps To Getting A Job In The Music Business
Voted Top 10 Music PR Firm
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Right on the money, Ariel.
Having gone through some similar “You’ve Gotta Be Kidding Me!” moments myself lately looking for a personal assistant, I concur with the lack of professionalism a lot of “Music Business” applicants tend to have… especially those early in their careers.
Personally, if someone wants to get hired by me, they have to do more than just fill out an application… they should tell me how they’re going to DO the job, or better yet, do it and email it to me.This process has opened countless doors for me from professional mentors to contacting songwriters way out of my reach. Surprise people with your preparedness. It’ll pay off.
It is really usefull to read advice from a insider, not from a school prof or my highschool Dutch Lessions. I already knew a few things, and some things were ‘offcourse i have to do that’. But I read also very creative things to be different than the rest. Like sending a thanking card for being interviewed. I send (in Holland) my letter in a red enveloppe. Because almost all the post is white, it is really a way to differentiate you. So I think with these tips from CyberPR and some cretive twist from yourself you could really get your dream internship!!
Your so right ! Being a college student can be very stressful. There is so much going on with tests, homework, and activities. On top of all that, finding your dream internship is not always easy. from beginning till the end you have to be on point. Little things do matter like an persons name.Take the time to perfect your resume.Your resume is like your business cardBut also start early! It’s really never too early to start looking for internships or at least to get an idea of what’s out there.
If you stay on top of your internship search and really be persistent about it, you will definitely find an internship that fits what you’re looking for. It’s not an overnight process. It will take a lot of time! The work you put into finding that internship will pay off when you find your dream internship!Just have an positive mindset!
These tips were fantastic for getting an internship and then landing a job from that experience. The issue that I am faced with is that I have finished university and I’m working full time in an unrelated industry (a girls gotta pay her bills). Most of the industry jobs (in Australia) require some time of experience, usually 1-2 years. I’ve completed an internship for a small publicity firm where there were no job vacancies at the end of my time there. I’ve even tried starting my
Own management/booking agent/publicity business to work with bands and get experience but this experience doesn’t seem to count. At this point I feel very stuck! At the moment it feels lime my only option is to go back to Uni and try and get another internship somewhere that there are more job prospects. I’m so committed and I’m such a hard worker so all I need is for someone to give me a chance! It’s very frustrating… Anyone have any tips for me?
Hey Ariel,
It’s singer, Amanda Marie! Some great stuff here in your blog; thanks so much! I do have a question about the cover letter! Is it ok to still send a cover letter along with your resume even if a company doesn’t ask for it? I’ve always know the rule to NOT send a cover letter if they don’t ask for it, but I’m coming from a corporate background & it might be different in the music business world.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Amanda Marie!
Wow. I really learned a lot from this. A very helpful article! Thank you Ms. Hyatt!
This is a great article with so much helpful advice. I really like that you broke it down into detailed steps and not just general advice. One thing though, I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I don’t think the links are working. Those two internship listing sites you mention it says the page won’t load. I found the sites on my own, so thanks but I just wanted to let you know so that you can take a look and see what’s going on with them. Thanks for the great tips though!
Ariel,
Thanks for the article. I am a music marketing student at Baylor University, and I will be internship hunting for the next summer. All of this info is really good to know, and I look forward to using it this year.
Thanks,
Ryan Higgs
Oh, this is going to help me, alot. Alot other people said different stuff than this. This is probably most legit thing I’ve rad so far. I’m going to do these thing after you said, Ms.Hyatt. Thanks helped ALOT! I’m so excited. You think getting into Capitol Records as an intern will be harder than the other record labels? I want to work their really bad. I really like the artist that works their. I would like some advice, if you could give some.
Thank you for sharing this information with us Ariel! it is definitely helpful, at least is for me. I’m just starting to get a Name in Music Business since I want to work later in this field, and I’m just at the age to start and this article gave me tips on how to do a better job at it!
Thank’s!
Hello this was very helpful, i am 15 and i was wondering if you could reccomend any alevels that would help me get into this business, specifically being a music manager.
Thank You so much for you’re great advice Mrs.Hyatt. There are a lot of good, practical ideas in you’re article.
Thanks for the article! I’ve done a couple of internships now and I started applying last week for jobs/maybe another internship. I’m planning to relocate to Nashville, so that’s made it a little more difficult since I’m applying to places that aren’t in the area! How long do you recommend waiting before following up on cold “calls” (emailing in a resume/cover letter)? I typically wait a week. Also, should one email again to follow up, or call the office?
Great advice, as always!
From my own experience the steps above only will get you the job 10% of the time. I’ve worked at 4 different companies in the industry from major labels to indies to management companies to marketing companies (and now run my own management company). The best way to get a job in the industry is to know someone, and the best way to get connected is to intern. I only got my one job based on filling out an application (my first job in the industry) and it was a call from one of my internship bosses to the president of the label that got me that job. All of the others I had were not advertised to the public. The position was “posted” so that HR could cover their legal check list, but I already had the job by the time that happened.
The industry is small. Because of the level of professionalism that’s required, most people that I know want to hire someone that they know or that a trusted contact of theirs knows.
My best advice is to intern and network with as many people as possible. Find someone you are connected who has some sort of connection to the industry and have them help you get further connected. Eventually you’ll come across the right opportunity. That’s how people in the industry get jobs 90% of the time.
This has moved me in many ways!!! I have done a lot of the things not to do and no one has ever corrected me, until today! I feel like I can conquer the world!! Thank you!
Thank you for the tips!
You are most welcome!