Things You'll Need:
- computer
- notepad and pen
- telephone
- access to a printer
- envelope and stamps
- Connections
-
Step 1
First, understand the industry. Which side of it interests you the most. If you're musical and want to work in performance, this may not be the ehow for you. But if you're interested in working in the industry in general, read on.
-
Step 2
Think about your skills. What are you really good at? Can you spot good bands? Do you like to review? Manage? Are you good with contracts?
-
Step 3
Research - make a list of all the music companies you're interested in working for in order of your desire to work for them. You'll come back to this later
-
Step 4
Get online - look at the websites of the companies you're interested and see if they're hiring. Often larger companies will have a 'work for us' section on their website. Look at who they're working with, who is touring. Read the industry publications to find out what's going on so when you do get to speak to people in the industry you can demonstrate your depth of knowledge about current events in the field.
-
Step 5
Events - look to see if there are any big conferences or events that you're able to attend. There is an annual music conference in Miami, if there's a chance you can attend, you should at least be in the area, hang out at the bars and try to make good contacts. You'd be surprised how often it works that you make a contact just from a friendly chat.
-
Step 6
Speak to your friends in the industry and pump them for any information they know that you can use to your advantage about people and companies and possible opportunities.
-
Step 7
Put together your resume remembering to demonstrate not just a love of music but how your previous experience is relevant to the position you're trying to get. For example, you can use working in operations in a food processing plant to demonstrate experience in manufacturing, if you're interested in the distribution side of things. Or if you've working in an office, you can emphasize your administrative skills.
-
Step 8
Once you've put together your resume, get on the phones and start calling all the companies you've listed starting with the one you're least interested in working at. This way when you get to the top of your list you'll be comfortable with cold calling and more likely to be successful at it.
-
Step 9
When you have a list of email addresses, start to send your resume out along with a covering letter, briefly introducing yourself and what skills you can offer the company.
-
Step 10
Wait a few days then call each person again to confirm they have received your resume. If you're not comfortable harassing them you can say you've been having trouble with some of your emails and just wanted to make sure they received it. This shows diligence, while allowing you to make further contact with them.
-
Step 11
You may not get many responses but if you email a hundred resumes you're likely to get at least five interviews from it, which isn't a bad return. Plus some of those people will keep you in mind when they are next looking.
-
Step 12
The last step is the most important: Don't Give Up! There are so many companies large and small that can be contacted and so many sides to the industry you can appeal to. It may take a while and you may get disheartened but don't give up. If you give up, you'll never reach your goal
