Help for students
This page includes useful information for students who will soon be graduating and looking to start careers in the music industry and related businesses.
Use these links to navigate up and down the page ...
Careers in music technology & sound recording
How to reseach and find a music industry job
How to research any job or placement
Careers in music technology & sound recording
Employers & job descriptions
To help you understand the range of industry jobs here are some lists of organisations and job roles ...
Recording studios
... such as ... commercial / community / college / record label & publishing company based ... employ sound, mastering and maintenance engineers.
Production companies
... develop new talent by bring together artists, stylists, songwriters and producers ... and employ office, marketing and creative production staff.
Rehearsal studios
... (which often have accompanying recording studios) ... employ maintenance engineers and reception staff. ... and are an excellent place to network and get started.
Equipment retailers
... are always staffed by music enthusiasts working on their own projects. A great way to network and buy gear cheaply.
Equipment manufactures and distributors
... employ service, warehouse, office, manufacturing and design staff.
Record shops
... are ideal for DJs looking to network.
Pressing plants
... manufacture records, CDs etc ... and employ factory and warehouse workers.
Record distributors
... are ideal if you need to learn about the business of releasing your records.
Promotions companies
... employ record pluggers, marketing staff etc ... and are ideal if you want to learn about the marketing of music.
Management companies
... employ office staff and runners ... and are an excellent place to learn about the workings of all aspects of the music business.
Record companies
... employ office staff, A & R, runners, marketing, graphic designers etc ... and are ideal place to learn about the business.
Video production companies
... employ office staff who organise freelance production teams (directors and technical production teams etc) ... to produce videos for clients (record companies).
Publishing companies
... employ office staff, marketing, A & R and copyright staff.
Local promoters/agents
... who organise live music events ... employ office and marketing staff.
Local venues/clubs
... employ a range of staff from bouncers, bar workers to PA technical support ... and you'll get to learn about the setting up of PA systems.
Equipment hire
... employ warehouse and maintenance staff ... and you'll get to visit studios and maybe even go on tours.
Radio stations
... such as ... commercial / local / in-store / hospital etc ... employ DJs, technical and organisational and marketing staff.
Print media
... such as ... publishers of music / equipment magazines ... employ editorial and technical graphic design and printing staff.
Industry organisations
... such as ... the Musician's Union, Performing Right Society, British Phonographic Institutes etc
How to research any job or placement
How do I research suitable placements?
Here are 4 suggestions ...
1. Use your personal contacts.
2. Place online adverts asking people if they would like to take you on as a work placement to build a website for them.
3. Research and approach businesses and organisations (such as charities, community groups, leisure clubs etc) and ask them if they would like to take you on as a work placement to build a website for them, or for any other work appropriate to your career objectives.
4. Find advertised jobs and approach them for a work placement. They're hiring so they obviously are looking for workers.
1. Personal contacts
You need to find someone who is either registered self employed or working for a business or organisation.
Who do you already know?
Writing down all the places and people you already know about that you could approach.
Do you have friends in work?
Do you have friends in a business that needs a web site?
Personal contacts
Ask family, friends and colleagues if they know anyone already working in the industry.
2. Place an advert
Past students have had success by posting adverts on the "work wanted", "freebies" and "voluntary work" sections of http://www.gumtree.com/. Try other sites like Gumtree also.
3. Research and approach businesses and organisations
Use the internet
You already know how to search the web.
Local research
Walk down your local high street. Almost all businesses need IT and multimedia skilled employees
Finding local businesses
www.google.co.uk Remember to restrict your search to "pages from the UK" only.
Use appropriate keywords to search these sites.
Research backwards
When you see a website you like, see if the person who constructed it is credited and email them complementing them on their work, what you liked and why. Be technical and specific. If they email back ask if they need anyone.
Library
Ask the librarian to locate appropriate industry directories and use them to compile a list.
JobCentres
Remember all those displays you've walked past? Your local JobCentre will have contact with local employers.
4. Find advertised jobs and approach them for a work placement
Use job search web sites
As you will already know, most jobs are now advertised on the web. Use our General job search sites page to find businesses and organisations who are hiring.
You should also go to the sites of businesses and organisations you would like to work for to see if they have vacancies.
Newspapers / Magazines
Specialist magazines and Newspapers will have jobs advertised in them.
Publications such as Future Music, Tape Op and Audio Media contain adverts, news and profiles of individuals and audio companies.
Click here for useful UK links
How to reseach and find a music industry job
Researching and approaching a possible placement
Use our Placement Search Record sheets to document your research activities.
How to research a name
A. Look on back of own records, or go to relevant section in large record shop. You should get Record Companies, Publishers, Distribution and Studios ("Recorded at"), all related to the genre of music that you are interested in. You may need to ring the labels to find any further target names such as Management or Agents. It is advisable in that instance to say you are doing research as part of this course.
B. Look on the internet. Google searches work well. Also fan websites or band websites will give a lot of information.
C. Talk to your friends and fellow music makers. They probably know someone who would be of use to you.
D. Are you already involved in something that could serve as a placement? Do you regularly attend a studio? DJ at a club?
E. Make a contact list of all the people you already know who may be able to help you. Once you sit down and think about it you may be surprised how many there are.
F. Regarding Labels and Distributors, talk to the buyers in large or hip record shops (this is easier than you think: just go in, or phone, and ask to speak to the buyer). Who's up and coming? Who's gonna be big? Who's hungry and likely to be looking for new talent?
G. Don't waste too much energy on large, famous labels/studios etc. You are extremely unlikely to get anything from these, either a placement/job or as an artist. Apply, but don't waste too much time.
H. Don't forget your local yellow pages. Look under Recording and Music.
Researching on the web
Using search sites
When using yell.com be prepared to rephrase your search if you don't get the result you want. For instance recording studios are 'Recording services-sound', PA hire companies are 'Sound systems' this also covers people who build and install sound systems, some specific searches won't show at all - for instance record pluggers or record pressing plants and you will need to go to Google and wade through that for them, or of course look in the relevant music press or the music industry bibles.
When using Google or Ask Jeeves or any of the others always have a pen and paper handy and write down the contact details as you get them as you will soon become overcome by the amount of information. Don't linger on sites that don't have the information you are expressly looking for, even if you find them interesting as your search and work will deteriorate into recreation and be of no use.
Use our How to research page for more advice on how to search the internet.
Finding local businesses
www.google.co.uk Remember to restrict your search to "pages from the UK" only.
Use appropriate keywords to search these sites.
Making contact
A. Once you have a name, go to a listings directory - Showcase, Music Week, Music Industry Manual - and get contact details. These books work best when you already have some names to chase up as they don't give details and have hundreds/thousands of entries. We have copies and so should your local library (who also have free internet access).
B. Ask for the person in charge of recruitment. Ring them between 2.30 and 5.00. A Good sentence is: "I am currently studying at The Institute of Music and technology and am keen on getting some practical experience. Do you fancy some Free labour?" Some people are put off by the phrase Work Placement or Placement. Do not say: “Its part of my course that I HAVE to get a placement.”
C. Remember what you want is a Meet. What they want is you to send your CV. Try this: "I am going to be in the area tomorrow, how about I drop it in?" Then when you get there you say "I'm here to see TARGET NAME." "Is he expecting you?" "Yes, he asked me to pop by today..". This is a bit cheeky but may get you at least a handshake and he will have a face to put to the CV. He may even have time for a Meet then, or to show you around.
D. When you have sent CVs or Demos, don't forget to chase up weekly. It is highly unlikely that they will contact you - even if they like what you have sent. This is not personal, it's just business (as Vito Corleone said). They are busy. You are not. Get organised - keep a diary or notes of who you contacted, when you chased up, what they said, what you have to send etc.. This would also be a useful addition to your portfolio and a great way to learn from your mistakes.
E. If someone asks you to do something (phone back, attend meeting, send CV) at a certain time, do it. It is the first test, if you fail that the door is closed.
F. Make bullet points of what you want to say, such as: Free, Trial Period, Studying at Institute of Music and Technology, How about..etc..
G. Be Friendly. Not Cool.
Typical phone conversations when approaching a placement
EXAMPLE CONVERSATION 1
You: “Can I speak to the person in charge of recruitment, please?”
Them: “Well you can speak to me.” or “What’s it regarding?”or “I’ll just put you through …Hello John Smith here.”
You: “Have you got a minute?”
Them: “Yes. What can I do for you?”
You: “I am a student from the Institute of Music and Technology and am keen on getting some practical experience. Do you fancy some free labour?”
... or ...
Them: “No, I am busy at the moment.”
You: “Sorry to bother you. When would it be convenient to call?”)
Them: “We might be interested. Can you send in your CV?”
You: “I am gonna be in your area tomorrow, how about I drop it in?”
... or ...
Them: “Sorry mate not really interested.”
You try and persuade them: You are free; No responsibility for them; Trial period; You have experience of their sort of work…
Failing that: “Do you know anyone else that I could try?”)
EXAMPLE CONVERSATION 2
You: “Can I speak to the person in charge of recruitment, please?”
Them: “We’re not recruiting at the moment.”
You: “I’m not looking for a job”
Them: “What are you looking for then?”
You: “I am a student from the Institute of Music and Technology and am keen on getting some practical experience. Do you fancy some free labour?”
Them: “We’ve had placements here in the past and it didn’t work out.”
You: “Why?” (an open ended question)
(They explain. You point out how you would be different: You are free; Little responsibility for them; Trial period; You have experience of their sort of work…)
Them: “We might be interested. Can you send in your CV?”
You: “I am gonna be in your area tomorrow, how about I drop it in?”
... Or ...
Them “Sorry mate, still not interested”
You: “Do you know anyone else that I could try?”
Applying to study a degree
All degree courses at Universities and colleges are listed at the UCAS website where you can make an application.
Go to ... http://www.ucas.ac.uk/