HINT #3:  "Putting Together Your Package"

           "What the heck is a presentation package?"

           Don't worry, your not the first to ask.

           For most of the employment openings ads in trade publications or on the internet ask

           for a "T&R", or "tape and resume".  Other ads state "C&R", or "cassette and

           resume", while others request you to "Get your PACKAGE to:".  In a way, these

           places already expect that you know how to properly market yourself, and that you

           have assembled a "package" that is ready to send out....but what is supposed to be in

           it?

          1) Cover Letter.  With the computer you are on right now, there probably is already a

          program perfect for the task.  "WordPad", "Microsoft Word", "Microsoft Works" to

          name a few.  Get to know the program, it's fonts, and put together the nicest, neatest

          cover letter you can.  You can easily format a header to look like printed stationery.

          Make a header template and save it to "Briefcase".  When you need to type a cover

          letter in a pinch, the template is right there.  Briefly explain in the cover letter how

          YOU are the one who's talent fits their needs, and how YOU are the one to be of most

          benefit to their company.  In plain terms, state that you very much want the position,

          and would like to be interviewed.  Make it fit one one page....the shorter the better.

          None of us can predict when our computers will crash, so back-up all of these new job

          package templates and files to 1.4M disk, or even burn them to CD and keep them 

          stored where in case the worst happens, you can quickly use them on a new PC.

          2) Resume.  This topic has been hotly debated for decades.  There are numerous books

          on the subject (just browse through a library, Books-A-Million, Walden Books, etc.).

          Suffice to say that you should read up on the subject or just do a web-search on

          "resumes", and you will have more than enough information to put together the best

          resume you can. Some hints do include using size 11 font, keeping your resume to one

          page, and using a spell check to make sure there are no errors.  If you have typos, bad

          grammar, or spelling mistakes, you will inadvertently send a message that you are a

          dumbass, and shouldn't be hired.

          3) References.  Make this a separate sheet from your resume, if possible.  Include only

          those individuals you know will give you a positive reference.  It's even best to ask

          permission from former Program Directors, General Managers, etc., before placing

          them on your reference sheet. Place what you believe to be your strongest few

          references at the top, since most prospective employees rarely call more than the first

          few names anyway.

          4) Ratings History.  While your not supposed to quote ratings without the ratings firm

          that issued them's permission.  Your also not supposed to re-use uncancelled postage

          stamps, write on currency, or park your car more than a foot from the curb--but

          people do it anyway.  If you indeed have the numbers from your daypart that show a

          strong increase, or long progressive increase in listenership, it wouldn't hurt to include

          them.  Make this another separate sheet, with a nice header.

          5) Philosophy.  This is crucial if you are applying for a Program Director position,

          desirable for a Morning Show position, and less critical for talent of other dayparts. It

          should include a basic overview or your accomplishments as well as the personal

          philosophy and strategies that achieved it.  Program Director candidates will want to

          expand this segment to include their strategies on the music, each daypart's role,

          expectations, views on handling and solving problems, and promotions.

          6) Photo.  This is another hot topic of debate. "It's not like we're on TV, or anything".

          Many radio talents are a bit tiffed if asked to enclose a photo.  Not surprising.  If we

          were all hunks and underwear models, it wouldn't bother us.  So why in a field of

          faceless audio are we being judged on our looks?  Simple.  Marketing.  Sad to say, but

          employers DO discriminate on basis of looks. If we were all honest, we'd admit that we

          all do.  Since we're all not hunks and underwear models...lets make lemonade.  Get a

          simple color photo shoot done.  Glamour Shots is great for this for female airtalent,

          and they are very reasonable.  For male airtalent, you may need to scan your local

          Yellow Pages for photographers, then call and briefly interview them with your needs,

          and get the rates they might charge for it.  Have a "headshot" done, then have at least

          50 made, 8x10's are fine, so are 3x5 inch photos.  The more professionally done, the

          more of an impression you will make.  Unless you are applying for Program Director

          or General Manager, leave the suit and tie at home.

          7) Clippings.  Have clippings of promotions you've done that made the local papers?

          Include them.  Have a video of stunts or promotions that made the local TV news,

          include it if you can afford it.  Photos of you with stars, artists, celebs, promotions,

          etc?  Scan the photos (with appropriate captions) and assemble them into a photo

          album about your show. A simple, clear, report holder with the slide-on sidebar with

          work fine, and are available cheaply at office supply stores.  Have a CD burner in 

          your PC?  Burn them to CD, and include a clearly worded label that it contains

          pictures and graphics (so the PD doesn't stick it in his CD player thinking it's a 

          back-up audition demo).

          8) The Icing On The Cake.  Package the above in the most creative way you can.

          Placing them in an unused pizza box with "I DELIVER...RATINGS", and hand

          delivering it to the PD is one creative way.  In a clean athletic shoe box with "USE

          THESE TO KICK THE COMPETITION" is another.  You can use anything from

          sleek, black shiny report presentation folders to sealed legal brief holders.  Use your

          creativity.  Use your marketing skills.  After all.  We are all IN marketing. Shouldn't

          we show that we can use that same creative talent to market ourselves?

                                     "Using The RockRadio1 Jobs Section"

                                    "Putting Together Your Audition Tape"

                             "To Call, Or NOT To Call?"

                             "The Effects Of 9-11 On Your Job Search"

        RockRadio1