WANT A PODCAST PRODUCER JOB? DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES ON YOUR APPLICATION

Over the last few months, I have read a LOT of resumes. I’ve spent hours scrolling through cover letters, listening to audio applications and answering e-mails from aspiring podcast producers.

When you’ve been recruiting on and off for almost a year, you start to see patterns. Good applications often have one or two of the same attributes (more on that in my next post) and the bad ones seem to make the same mistakes.

Want to avoid them? Good! I want to stop seeing them. Here’s what you should look out for:

·      Not submitting everything asked for in the application

If the application asks for an audio reel, cover letter and resume please, for the love podcasting, include all three. To ignore one element is to stumble over the very first request that your prospective employer makes of you. “I want this job,” it says, “but not enough to actually do everything you’ve asked for”.

And if I can’t expect you to write a cover letter or cut together some examples of your best work, how could I expect you to do… well… anything?

·      Not mentioning podcasting at all anywhere in your application

I know what it feels like trying to crack into a creative industry. You need experience to get a job, but you won’t get a job until you get the experience. It’s maddening circular logic. And with an industry like podcasting, which is relatively new and small in Australia, it can feel impossible.

But if you’re really interested in working in podcasting, creating your own show is probably a good place to start.   

It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece or a huge commercial success, it just needs to show that you have enough passion and knowhow to create reasonable content. Try to avoid two-mates-shooting-the-shit style shows. Instead, something that shows a bit of scripting and sound design is better. The episodes don’t have to be long, short sharp content is on trend and easier for a recruiter to scroll through.

If you really don’t have the time or resources, you still have to tie in podcasting somewhere. In your cover letter make sure you flog the skills which are transferrable to podcasting and mention your passion for the industry. Find some way to put the word podcasting in your resume.

·      Not addressing the cover letter to the right person

In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t going to sink your chances (if it did I would not currently have a podcasting department as only a couple of applications were addressed to me). But, if you want the edge on the competition, just make the 30-second phone call to the company’s receptionist. This absolute bare-minimum effort will stand out. Yes, we’re all phobic of calling strangers these days, but receptionists are usually very friendly (ARN’s are for sure)!

·      Having broken links or permission-protected audio reels

When an application lands in front of a manager for a desirable media job, I suspect they’ll spend 5-minutes or less deciding if you’re in the no or maybe pile. That’s one, brief opportunity to have your audio heard an appraised.

That means if you accidentally send something using Google drive which requires permission or is password-blocked, you’ve almost certainly missed your chance. It’s not that your audio isn’t amazing or worthy – it’s that people don’t have the time to chase you for access for files.

Before you send any job application audio, test the link with a family member or friend. If they can’t access it, neither can your potential future boss.

You’re ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN you’ve sent a link that anyone can access? I don’t believe you. Check with a friend anyway. This mistake is far more common than you think.