How to Get a Job at a Radio Station: Step-by-Step Guide

Even though the Internet and technologies are developing quickly, radio stations still have a lot of listeners. According to Nielsen’s Audio Today Report, 272 million Americans listen to the radio every week. The British are not far behind and, on average, spend 20.2 hours listening to radio stations weekly.

Radio is a medium for entertainment, news, and music, and it attracts specialists in numerous fields: from managers and marketers to producers and radio DJs. In this article, we will share the best tips on how to get a job in the radio industry.

Radio Station Positions

Before we discuss how to get a job at a local radio station, you need to decide what you want to do. Working on the radio doesn’t mean that you should be an on-air personality. Actually, there are more office positions in the entertainment business that entertainment positions, so this industry is ready to welcome specialists in different fields. For example, you can work at a radio station as a sales manager, editor, or engineering technician.

Below we will discuss the most popular radio station positions and their education requirements, necessary skills, and salaries. The average pay is taken from Payscale.

Radio personalities

On-air personalities are announcers and hosts who play music, interview guests, and present the news. Radio personalities also broadcast live, interact with the audience through social media, and generate ideas for the material. Although this position may include relocation and irregular hours, there is still intense competition among candidates.

• Education: Degree in journalism, communications, or broadcasting (preferred but not necessary)
• Requirements: Public speaking and acting skills, strong voice, board operations, Adobe Audition software proficiencies
• Average salary: $35,208

Station Managers

These specialists are responsible for the general and day-to-day operations of the radio. They ensure that the station complies with the local laws and regulations, define short- and long-term goals, and may provide an inventory of supplies.

• Education: Degree in communications, broadcasting, or related field
• Requirements: Knowledge of local legislation, strong communication skills, understanding radio trends, ability to define goals and develop strategies
• Average salary: $65,657

Copywriters

Copywriters create texts for on-air hosts and commercial copies in support of radio sales and promotion. They gather information and sometimes act as news reporters who record events and interview people.

• Education: Degree in English, marketing, journalism, or related field (preferred but not necessary)
• Requirements: knowledge of content strategy and creation, excellent research and writing skills, creativity, organizational and time-management skills
• Average salary: $52,060

Radio producers

They play a key role in what listeners hear on the radio even though they are not on air themselves. Radio producers are responsible for creating and coordinating content for programs and managing information on the radio’s website and social media.

• Education: Degree in media or radio production, journalism, or media studies
• Requirements: written and oral communication skills, ability to work under pressure, awareness of current events and general knowledge, basic technical skills
• Average salary: $44,691

Documents for getting a job at a radio station

The application process precedes the interview stage and plays a crucial part in the hiring process. A company reads your documents attentively to decide whether you possess the necessary qualities and proficiencies. Below we will share the best tips on getting started and creating a powerful resume and cover letter.

Resume

A resume is a document that contains information about your education, work experience, and skills. It gives recruiters a chance to see whether you have the qualifications they are looking for. Here are a few tips that will help you to create a perfect resume:

• Insert keywords. Many recruiters use resume keyword scanners to detect particular words and phrases before reading the document. We recommend including job-related words from the vacancy description.
• Stick to a common format. Your resume should be one page long, written in a 10 -12 pt. Font and divided into sections to make the text readable.
• Only personalized resumes. Hiring managers notice generic documents, so we advise adjusting your resume to every company.
• Get familiar with resume samples. At GetCoverLetter, you can find resume examples for multiple occupations and build one of your own.

Cover letter

A cover letter goes hand-in-hand with a resume and explains why choosing you is the right choice. To write a great cover letter, follow these simple steps:

• Address a specific person. Research the company and find out the recruiter’s name instead of writing generic To Whom It May Concern.
• Create a killer opening. Show from the very beginning that you are excited about the company and the vacancy.
• Follow the cover letter structure. Your letter should follow a clear structure and contain an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Show what you can do for the company. Explain how you can be helpful, provide examples of your achievements, and show that you have researched the mission and values of the station you are applying to.
• Use a GetCoverLetter builder. With its help, you can create a cover letter following accepted documentation rules within 8 minutes.

Getting into radio: tips and recommendations

Starting a career in radio is very exciting because this industry is filled with new acquaintances and experiences. However, it may be quite challenging to enter because the competition is rather tight. Below you will find the most important and effective tools for landing a job on the radio.

Network with the right people

Keep an eye on the local events where people from the radio industry might gather. Attend parties, exhibitions, professional meetings, and other places where you can meet the necessary specialists.

Networking is one of the most effective instruments in finding a job because most job openings are filled even before they are published online. Another tool is to ask your friends, classmates, and relatives whether they know someone from the radio. Highlight that you are interested in the sphere, so the next time they hear about a possible job offer from a person working on the radio, they might introduce you.

You can also learn more about the industry and make the right connections when joining professional associations like the National Organization of Broadcasters.

Create a social media presence

Building a personal brand and staying active on social media is a good way to be noticed. Create a professional LinkedIn profile and Facebook account, subscribe to the pages of different radio stations, leave comments, and participate in conversations.

If you want to become an on-air personality, upload your records to social media or even your own website to let potential employers see your works. Ask friends and relatives to leave comments to increase social media presence and involvement.

Get a degree and complete entry-level training

While a degree is not necessary for most radio station vacancies, it might still help to stand out from other candidates. A bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting, communications, or a related field will be a big plus.

You will also benefit if you have at least some entry-level background. Most colleges and communities have radio stations, so even as a student, you can get on-air experience and learn about the industry from the inside. If you are interested in how to get a job in radio with no experience, taking public speaking courses or mastering broadcasting software will be rather useful.

Search for vacancies on job boards

Job boards remain a useful tool in searching for a vacancy. Apart from common platforms, you can look for a job posting at Broadcast Graduate, Media Info, Broadcast Jobs, and IHireBroadcasting.

If you want to speed up the process, contact recruiting agencies. For a certain fee, they will find vacancies that meet your criteria.

Approach a radio station

If you know a specific station that you’d like to work for, contact them directly. Surf the radio station’s website to find the best person to talk to. Then send them a message with your qualifications, aspirations, and the reasons why you’d like to work for this particular station.

Radio presenters might also attach a demo tape to show their skills.

Prepare for an interview

Interviews may be quite stressful, and the best way to calm down and remain confident is to get ready in advance. Prepare answers to the most frequently asked questions, work on your body language and tone, and decide what you will wear. Make sure that you have everything needed for an interview, including a resume, cover letter, demo record, and portfolio.

Start your own radio station

If all the above tips have not yet given the desired results, why not starting a podcast of your own? Forecasts predict that there will be 160 million podcast listeners by 2023, making this sphere extremely attractive. Create a business plan, choose an exciting topic, purchase minimum equipment, and start your small radio station.

With time you might be the second Joe Rogan whose podcast The Joe Rogan Experience made $50 million in 2019 and had almost 200 million downloads per month.

Final thoughts

Radio remains the leading reach platform, with 92% of people listening to AM/FM stations regularly. This industry engages different roles and offers multiple opportunities for specialists interested in broadcasting, music, and spreading the news to the world.

With the tips above, it will become simpler to get a job on the radio, especially if you approach the process comprehensively: network, create a social media presence, and prepare all the necessary documents.