Sample Resume for a Disc Jockey

Disc jockeys, sometimes called "deejays," put music on the radio. They also talk about the news, sports, and weather. Sometimes, they make commercials, talk with guests, and tell what's going on in the community.

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Sample Disc Jockey Resume

Richard Smith
238 South Lane
Atlanta, Georgia 30323
Home: (458) 523-3721
Cell: (458) 523-8943

Resume Objective:
Seeking a position as a Disc Jockey/Radio Announcer

Education:

B.A., Communications, 1996
New University, Madison, NJ

Skills and Certifications:

• A well defined personality with seventeen years of on on-air radio experience. Awarding winning show host and disc jockey.

EXPERIENCE:
Morning Show Host, 2000 to Present
Jwax FM, New York, NY

Hosted the city's highest rated morning talk show for the 6 - 10a.m. slot. Notable guests included Jerry Sienfeld, Dennis Rodman, Tiger Woods, Vanessa Williams, & Mike Meyers.

Disc Jockey, 1997 to 2000
RAMP, New York, NY

Hosted Miami's highest rated lunch hour program, Flashback Lunch. Voted Best DJ by the editors of the Miami Herald Arts & Entertainment section.

Description for Disc Jockey

JOB TITLE:
Disc Jockey
JOB PURPOSE:
Disc jockeys work for radio stations. Usually, they work in small rooms called studios. These rooms are air-conditioned and soundproof. But it can be lonely. Full-time disc jockeys talk on the radio 5 or 6 days a week for about 4 hours at a time.

Most disc jockeys need to be able to ad-lib, which means talk without notes. They also need to keep track of time so that they can fit music, talk, and commercials into a strict schedule

REPORTS TO:

LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY: Most disc jockeys need to be able to ad-lib, which means talk without notes. They also need to keep track of time so that they can fit music, talk, and commercials into a strict schedule.

But the job is more than talking on the radio. Every day, disc jockeys must prepare for the radio show. Many disc jockeys write or edit the scripts that they read on air. Sometimes they write commercials too. Some disc jockeys find people to interview. And some make public appearances at schools and parties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
It is very hard to get a job as a disc jockey. Classes in broadcast journalism at a college or technical school can help. Classes in English, public speaking, and drama are also good. Radio stations want to hire people with good speaking voices, correct grammar, and strong writing skills. Learning about music is also useful.

Experience is very important. Students can get experience at school radio stations. Beginners often start out in another radio job. They might record interviews or work with equipment.

Duties and responsibilities:

Announcers in radio and television perform a variety of tasks on and off the air. They announce station program information, such as program schedules and station breaks for commercials, or public service information, and they introduce and close programs. Announcers read prepared scripts or ad lib commentary on the air, as they present news, sports, the weather, time, and commercials. If a written script is required, they may do the research and writing. Announcers also interview guests and moderate panels or discussions. Some provide commentary for the audience during sporting events, at parades, and on other occasions. Announcers often are well known to radio and television audiences and may make promotional appearances and do remote broadcasts for their stations.

Radio announcers who broadcast music often are called disc jockeys (DJs). Some DJs specialize in one kind of music, announcing selections as they air them. Most DJs do not select much of the music they play (although they often did so in the past); instead, they follow schedules of commercials, talk, and music provided to them by management. While on the air, DJs comment on the music, weather, and traffic. They may take requests from listeners, interview guests, and manage listener contests.

But the job is more than talking on the radio. Every day, disc jockeys must prepare for the radio show. Many disc jockeys write or edit the scripts that they read on air. Sometimes they write commercials too. Some disc jockeys find people to interview. And some make public appearances at schools and parties.

Disc jockeys at small radio stations often work with equipment to play music and adjust sound.

Changes in technology have led to more remote operation of stations. Several stations in different locations of the same region may be operated from one office. Some stations operate overnight without any staff, playing programming from a satellite feed or using programming that was recorded earlier, including segments from announcers.

Public address system announcers provide information to the audience at sporting, performing arts, and other events. Some DJs announce and play music at clubs, dances, restaurants, and weddings. They generally have their own equipment with which to produce announcements and other material, and they rent their services out on a job-by-job basis.

Announcers frequently participate in community activities. Sports announcers, for example, may serve as masters of ceremonies at sports club banquets or may greet customers at openings of sporting goods stores.

Find Employees - Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations

Time loads of Disc Jockey

The broadcast day is long for radio and TV stations—many are on the air 24 hours a day—so announcers can expect to work unusual hours. Many present early-morning shows, when most people are getting ready for work or commuting, while others do late-night programs. The shifts, however, may not be as varied as in the past because new technology is allowing stations to prerecord programs and air them at a later time, especially for the overnight hours.

Announcers often work within tight schedules, which can be physically and mentally stressful. For many announcers, the intangible rewards—creative work, many personal contacts, and the satisfaction of becoming widely known—far outweigh the disadvantages of irregular and often unpredictable hours, work pressures, and disrupted personal lives.

How to Write A Good Resume Objective

1. Avoid job titles - Resume Objective.

Job titles such as "Secretary" or "Market Manager" can involve very different activities in different organizations. The same job can often have different titles in different organizations and using such a title may very well limit your being considered for such jobs as "Office Manager" or "Marketing Assistant." It is best to use broad categories of jobs rather than specific titles, so that you can be considered for a wide variety of jobs related to the skills you have. For example, instead of "Secretary" you could say "Responsible Office Management or Clerical Position" if that is what you would really consider - and qualify for.

2. Define a "bracket of responsibility" to include the possibility of upward mobility - Resume Objective.

While you may be willing to accept a specific job drawing on your current skills keep yourself open for jobs that require higher levels of responsibility and pay. Use categories of skills and titles so that the person reviewing your resume might consider you for other openings.

In effect, you should define a 'bracket of responsibility' in your objective that includes the range of jobs that you are willing to accept. This bracket should include the lower range of jobs that you would consider as well as those requiring higher levels of responsibility, up to and including those that you think you could handle. Even if you have not handled those higher levels of responsibility in the past, many employers may consider you for them if you have the skills to support the objective.

3. Include your most important skills - Resume Objective.

What are the most important skills needed for the job you want? Consider including one or more of these as being required in the job that you seek. The implication here is that if you are looking for a job that requires 'Organizational Skills,' then you have those skills. Of course, your interview (and resume) should support those skills with specific examples.

4. Include specifics if these are important to you - Resume Objective.

If you have substantial experience in a particular industry (such as 'Computer Controlled Machine Tools') or have a narrow and specific objective that you really want (such as 'Art Therapist with the Mentally Handicapped'), then it is OK to state this. But, in so doing, realize that by narrowing your alternatives down you will often not be considered for other jobs for which you might qualify. Still, if that is what you want, it just may be worth pursuing (though I would still encourage you to have a second, more general objective just in case).

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Finalize Your Resume Objective Statement

The most important is that you can clearly state what sort of a job you want and know what kinds of skills and experiences are needed to do well in that job. Even if you decide to change your job objective later, it is very important that you decide on one now for effective marketing.

Don’t be afraid to interview for jobs that seem far outside your skill set. If you don’t force yourself to reach higher you will never be considered. Don’t expect lady luck to come knocking when you could have opened the door and walked thru. Ask about opportunities for advancement. Apply for jobs above your last experience and challenge yourself.

Having spent years working with highly paid executives it is obvious most executives are learning as they go. Few know exactly what they are doing. What they do know is how to take chances, accept risk and turn everyday events into income producing opportunities. Make yourself reach for that next level up. You too can make it to the top of your field/company. See you there.