Starting your career can be a difficult task, especially if you have little to no experience and are searching in a competitive market. For those passionate about pursuing a career in the music industry, I thought I would share some tips that may be beneficial in helping get your foot in the door.
Although this is the obvious answer, developing any sort of professional experience in the industry is a great place to start. You may be reading this because you are struggling to find any possible work experience currently, which in that case I have a few suggestions. First, I would look into joining any music related programs or clubs offered at your school (if you are currently enrolled) as often times these are open for all students to join. Education is crucial, so if you do not have these opportunities you can look into earning certificates from completing online courses relating to music business. Another idea is to look for volunteer work at places such as local radio stations, music venues, etc. This can be a great way to begin building your resume if you currently have no experience. In addition to this, I would recommend being proactive in your search for an internship, whether paid or unpaid. You must be willing to learn, and the skills you develop in an unpaid internship can be invaluable to your future. Educate and gain as much experience as possible in the beginning stages of your career, and you can then use that to pivot into the role you would like to obtain.
Another key component to the job search is networking. You want to be involved in your industry, whether that be attending shows, connecting with local artists, connecting with other industry professionals (LinkedIn is a great resource for this), etc. Ask lots of questions and absorb as much information as possible from your peers. Your drive and passion will not go unnoticed, and could lead to potential work opportunities.
Finally, spend time on properly articulating your achievements and qualifications once you have some experience to build off. Experience is critical, but you need to be able to sell yourself as well. Even a highly qualified individual could be missing out on potential job opportunities by not spending the time to develop a quality resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. Learn about resume formatting and what HR looks for when hiring candidates, learn to write a proper cover letter tailored to the position you are applying for, and be sure to prepare for job interviews once you have got thus far! Hopefully these tips for starting your career were of some value for you!
Kyle Sullivan
Operations Assistant
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