Jobs in the Radio Industry

So, now that you have a basic idea as to what is involved in the world of radio, you will need to know about how to start getting into the radio industry, and what radio jobs you can get. Depending on your skills, you have a wide choice of radio jobs to choose from and radio careers to begin.

There is the online radio route which will no doubt offer you more freedom and fewer hassles than working for a radio station, and you can pretty much start off as a station manager right away. It is hard however to get this online radio station going and it will by rather costly too, until you build up enough traffic and get advertising.

Radio careers in the online world are easier to get and maintain and you can be your own radio DJ without any real training to speak of.

Of course, most professionals want to start off at a well-established radio station as a radio DJ or audio engineer. And, of course, sports broadcasting jobs are really popular. These radio jobs will require that you send in a resume of your work and training. After being reviewed, you will be given the job if the radio station feels that you will fit into their type of production and to be a radio DJ you will usually be given a broadcast test to see how you will sound on live radio. Many radio stations will then expect you to sign a contract with them and complete their training course before you can start working live. Many radio DJs start off in other sections of radio until they can make it as a DJ. Some start off as audio engineers, and some start off as news and media presenters.

When you begin as a radio DJ, you will normally be given the worst time slot that no one else wants. You will have to prove yourself popular before you are moved to a better time slot. Usually, the new radio DJ’s are given the graveyard shift, so you must be prepared to work strange hours at the beginning of your radio career. If you offer something interesting and unique to the show and listeners begin to like you, you will quickly work your way up to having the best time slot of the day.

News and media radio jobs are also perfect for those that want to be involved behind the scenes of radio. You can get a job as a researcher or news writer, preparing the script for the news presenters.The news and media field also opens up jobs for freelance news readers and reporters who offer short inserts for various segments, but who are not needed to be live radio presenters or in the studio. These segments are recorded separately and added into the live reading at the appropriate time.

With these types of radio jobs you must also be aware of looking after your voice. This is your only means of communication and if you lose your voice or get sick, you are not able to work.

You must protect your asset all the time. To work as a station manager or radio producer will not require you to be on the radio live, but to work behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and that your live radio shows go off without a hitch. The radio producer will make sure the advertising and sponsors are on board and will help prepare the show along with the radio DJ. The station manager is in charge of the entire radio station and covers all of the radio shows, news and media slots, weather reports, as well as all the advertisers and sponsors. He or she is the big boss and to get this radio job you will have to be patient and work your way up to the position.