How to Interview for Your First Management Role

How to Interview for Your First Management RoleHow to Interview for Your First Management Role Looking to take a step up in your next job? If so, the interview process may be slightly different than what you have been used to. Interviews for management roles are likely to focus mora on your leadership style, interpersonal communication skills, and your ability to navigate difficult situations. In addition to detailing your skills and experience, interviewing for your first management role is as much about your background as it is about your ability to inspire and motivate a team.So what does it take to communicate your management abilities and leadership style in an interview? We spoke to recruiter, career coaches and long-time managers to get their expert insights. Heres how to interview successfully for your first management role.While you may not have had the title of manager in your previous roles, the best way to show recruiters and hiring managers that you a re able to take this jump is to demonstrate how you have exercised leadership in other areas of your life.Leadership experience doesnt always need to come from your everyday job, says AWeber recruiter Bill Kennedy. Many military veterans have relevant leadership skills. Have you coached a sports team? Do you belong to an organization in which you help organize and lead events? Include those as examples of times where youve led a group, team or project.parte of being a manager is multi-tasking with ease and displaying a sense of calm control during times of uncertainty. This is important to both your future direct reports as well as your boss-to-be. The employer will want a candidate who is low maintenance and who doesnt come with a lot of office politics and baggage, says executive coach and career transition expert Cynthia Corsetti . Its important to use examples in your answers that demonstrate that you remain positive and focused on the results as well as building trusting rel ationships with co-workers, supervisors, and clients.Often times, this courage under fire comes down to what many people call emotional intelligence or EQ. Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are important management skills, adds Corsetti. It would behoove a candidate to have examples of times when they were self-aware and were able to influence others by using excellent communication skills.If youwant to be a people manager, take tangible steps to prepare yourself. Its important to strengthen your skills to ensure youre prepared to step up to the plate. Actively assess the skills you already have, and talk to those already in managerial positions to determine what skills you need to acquire. Do your research, stay up to date on industry trends, and seize any opportunity to strengthen your abilities.Sign up for classes, get a mentor, invest in a career coach. As you interview, prepare to show how youve taken concrete steps to hit the ground running in this new role. Making the transition from staff to manager is all about being politically savvy, knowing the right people and not letting them down, and most importantly, showing that you have what it takes to do the job and once in it, that you will do it well, says Dr. Michael Provitera , author of Mastering Self-Motivation. There are three stages of breaking the glass-ceiling of staff-to-manager and here they are Getting In, Breaking In, and Fitting In. Each stage is critical for success.In the interview, be ready to share tangible examples of how you worked with a team member or demonstrated leadership. Be ready to speak about how you motivate your team , how you manage competing or multiple priorities, and what your idea is of a good manager. While your answers to these are certainly important, the more tangible examples you can provide, the better, says Kennedy. Take the opportunity to speak about specific examples of how you helped someone advance their own career (leaving out names or identifyin g information). Did you set up a mentorship program, help them find relevant materials to study, provide them with increasing responsibility because you saw potential in them?According to Founder and CEO of Rocket Interview, Jeevan Balani, there are three main types of hypothetical questions, each with different areas of focus the interviewer is looking to test.A job interview is an exercise in sales. You must sell yourself and deliver compelling reasons why a hiring manager wants to take a chance on you.So when asked, Why should we hire you?, you need to tell a potential employer what YOU can deliver (in terms of education, experience, skills, abilities, talents, interests, or attitudes) that might uniquely match the requirements of the position in question, insists Timothy G. Wiedman, Associate Prof. of Management & Human Resources at Doane University. You must, he adds, provide an indication of persistence in pursuit of a goal and/or leadership abilities. And those traits may well be of interest to recruiters who seek new-hires with management potential.

Time to Spring Clean Your Resume

Time to Spring Clean Your ResumeTime to Spring Clean Your ResumeLooking for a new job or searching for employment in the New Year? It may not be spring time yet but its definitely time to spring clean your resume There are so many samples and templates available on the internet to give you a few ideas but rather than making you search, were giving you behauptung 5 steps to help you spruce up that tired resumeRemove silly meaningless wordsPassionate, driven, results-oriented, team-player, etc. need to be permanently removed now.Its so tempting to fill a resume with these confidence inspiring words, but dont do it, it will only hurt your resume. Populating your resume with these insignificant words will only dilute and pollute your resume. Why? Because in reality they mean nothing without any context behind them its called putting lipstick on a pig. Your resume should be direct and to the point.Its all in the numbersWithout numbers to help define the actual scope of your abilities an d accomplishments, your resume will be unclear, boring and vague. Youre still doing too much telling and not enough showing if you havent included numbers. Even if its stating the size of the company you worked in, this will provide the hiring manager with some valuable insight into your previous work experience.Remove old and unrelated infoIts 2016 so your experience from over a decade ago is probably no longer relevant even if its in the same industry. And, if youre applying for a job with no relations to your previous work experience, youve included totally irrelevant information.Different job different resumeYouve worked hard on writing a great resume so now you can sit back and relax right? Wrong You still have work to do. Your resume needs to be specific and targeted. You must craft your resume so that it adheres as closely as possible to a hiring managers expectations of the job in which youre applying. That means a different resume for different jobs.Put your best font fo rwardWhile Times New Roman is acceptable, it may not help you put your best foot forward. Theres no oomph. It doesnt hurt to style up your resume a little bit but dont go crazy here. Using a different font and a binary color scheme can be a good way of making it pop out from your competition. Remember to keep it classy if you use orange or red they might think youre applying for a clown position.If you follow these suggestions, your resume will be ready for 2016 Need help? Contact us

How to Do Better in Your Career Faster - The Muse

How to Do Better in Your Career Faster - The MuseHow to Do Better in Your Career Faster If youre reading this, youre probably doing A-OK in your career. Youre getting stuff done, youre learning, and your team is happy with you overall.But you also know youre not perfect. Everything you do leaves room for improvement, and as someone whos driven and cares about growing, youre always interested in ways you can continue to excel.Well, were here to help Here are eight things- if we were to guess- you could be doing even better.1. Managing Your TimeYoure rarely one to miss a deadline and you feel like your days are well spent. But, sometimes you find yourself spending mora time on a project than youd like, or getting distracted and having to stay in the office later than usual. And, you dont actually have a formal time management strategy in place, which makes it tough for you to always stay focused and efficient.Do it BetterHave you thought about aggressively blocking out times on your ca lendar to ensure youre doing everything exactly when you want to? Or, taking short breaks more often so you dont find yourself scrolling through social media for an hour? Or, how about trying the Research-Plan-Connect strategy perfect for those who love to kill time? Sometimes the solution is as simple as strategic planning.2. Staying OrganizedUnlike your deskmate whose mountain of stuff is slowly tipping into your territory, your space is fairly neat and clean. Your inbox and desktop arent super terrifying to look at, but occasionally important notes get lost in the shuffle, to-do items are forgotten, and files become difficult to uncover.Do it BetterThese desk hacks will keep your space forever manageable. As for your inbox, you may want to consider using filters to keep different kinds of messages together. Or, taking advantage of Gmails new features to stay on top of everything.How about your desktop? Check out these fast fixes thatll transform the way you work on your computer. Finally, if you dont have one, consider investing in a stellar planner to organize every part of your life.3. Having MeetingsYour meetings tend to be somewhat productive. But youre no stranger to the brainstorming session that ran 30-minutes over or the one-on-one where you left feeling just a little confused. Do it BetterA meeting agenda can go a long way in helping your meetings stay on track. And learning how to talk to someone who constantly runs late may help you avoid the problem of extra-long meetings. Finally, make sure youre doing some prep beforehand so your conversation is as efficient as possible.Or, consider not having a meeting at all and sending out an email instead- this can immediately turn unproductive meetings into productive next steps.4. Working With Your Co-workersIn general, you and your colleagues tend to get along. But sometimes you get into rifts or have to deal with them slacking off on something- and wouldnt we all want to avoid these moments more often t han not?Do it BetterPractice how youll talk to a co-worker whos condescending or being lazy so you can solve any issue effectively and professionally. And, up your game by using one of these tips to get people to respect you more.5. Working With Your BossYoure cordial with your boss, if not friendly. But youre always looking for ways to get on their good side.Do it BetterDont have regular check-ins with your manager? You should if you want to always be on the same page (heres how to set one up). These four sneaky habits are sure to impress even the toughest managers, along with this 15-minute one. And the best employees ask their boss these questions on a regular basis.6. Giving FeedbackYou think youre good at letting people know when you disagree, but sometimes your feedback just doesnt stick. How can you give constructive criticism thats both motivating and respectful?Do it BetterLearn how to give tough feedback to people you like (this article will help), as well as to people who dont want it. Muse columnist, Sara McCord, lays out the best way to give that kind of advice here. 7. NetworkingSure, you sometimes grab coffee with an old colleague or comment on a past boss LinkedIn update. But youre not doing much more than the bare minimum of acquaintanceship- and yet you know having strong professional relationships is key for your success.Do it BetterIf someone looks at your LinkedIn profile, dont just stalk them- respond And make sure youre sending out a thoughtful thank you note whenever someone does something nice for you. Remember that the little things go a long way. So use this 15-minute networking tip and these smart ways to keep your network warm- and always available in case you need them.8. Thinking Long-TermYou have a vague idea of where you want to go in your career. But you dont really have a concrete plan laid out for how youll get there.Do it BetterFirst, understand what makes a good career goal- otherwise how else are you going to accomplish i t?Then, define success for yourself. What does it look like? Feel like?After you do that, use this exercise to outline your ideal future and how youll reach it.Moral of the story? Theres always progress to be made on even the highest of achievements. The best employees dont let their growth stagnate, but rather understand that theres always more to be done and learned.What sorts of things are you looking to get better at? Ask us on Twitter TheMuse

Advanced Sales Closing Strategies

Advanced Sales Closing StrategiesAdvanced Sales Closing StrategiesAdvanced sales closes are a bit trickier to apply than the basic or intermediate closes. They require more setup time or a willingness to push the prospect a little harder. But when used wisely, they can seal the deal with prospects who otherwise wouldnt buy from you. Remember, if the prospect is really difficult for you to close, thats a benefit for you in the long term because people who are tough for you to close are also tough for your competitors to sell to So once you do manage to close a tough cookie customer, they will probably stay with you for quite a while. The Hero Close The hero close is designed for geschftsleben-to-business sales, although you could develop a variant for consumer sales as well. First, you identify a satisfied customer who also happens to be a successful and well-known member of the business community. When you call to check up with that customer and make sure everything is OK with th e product, ask if they would be willing to tell the occasional prospect how good the product is. If they seem to be wavering, assure them you wont ask for their help often- just on rare occasions- and youll always warn them ahead of time when you might want their help. If they agree to help, follow up with a heartfelt thank-you note and possibly a small gift. Then the next time youve got an appointment with a really big prospect, and they state their objection (e.g. the time it will take to learn a new system), say something like You know, George Smith, the owner of Parallux, uses this same product. Would you mind if I gave him a call now and we asked him about his experiences with the setup process? I recall he had a similar concern before he started using the product. Then call Mr. Smith, make a brief introduction, and hand the phone to the prospect. (You know Mr. Smith will be there because you called him right after making the appointment to ask, and gave him the exact time.) If you pick the right hero customer, this close will knock your prospects socks off. The Sour-Grapes Close Not for the faint of heart, this close requires perfect delivery or it could backfire on you. But if you pull it off, it will close a sale that is otherwise not going to happen. When your prospect sits through your presentation in grim silence (usually with their arms crossed), its a pretty clear indicator that they arent going to buy the product but dont want to tell you why. Perhaps theyve heard some horror stories about your company or theyre just having a bad day. Persistence on your part will either get you a flat no or the infamous Ill think about it. Before you hit that point, but after its clear the conversation is headed that way, say something like Im afraid Ive made a mistake in coming here today. I apologize for wasting your time, but I dont think this product is right for you. Then start packing up your things, shake the prospects hand and head out the door. If y ouve read the part correctly, snatching away the product can jolt them into at least thinking about buying it. If not, you just threw away a sale. Thats why this particular close is not for the inexperienced salesperson

What to Do About Cool Resume Before You Miss Your Chance

What to Do About Cool Resume Before You Miss Your Chance Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. If youre having trouble getting attention, be sure you have a look at our tips to receive your resume noticed. No matter what kind of work youre searching for, the Gabriella professional resume template is a great selection. Its possible to add a bright and eye-catching splash of color to produce sure your resume makes its way in front of the proper person and raise your probability of getting the huge job. On the flip side, you could have multiple related career targets. Thus it is necessary to find a means to make your resume stand out of tons of different resumes, particularly whenever you are in design. As an overall guideline, your resume does not have to expand upon each and every job or duty youve held. Infographic-style resumes have gotten popular, and they may be effective when done well. Now, take a look at best free online resume builder websites. Theres a considerable quantity of information youll receive on numerous sites that are old and obsolete, yet in the auffhrung that youre hunting for something fresh and potent. The entire assortment of resume templates is composed of a selection of creative resume designs. There are lots of free resume templates readily available online but sometimes it can be very tough to decide on the best one that is most suited to you. Cool Resume and Cool Resume - The Perfect Combination In any field wherever your personality or expert appearance is a vital part of the job, a photo is a great way to demonstrate that off. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you require a resume template you may inject a little more personality into to make it pop. The most suitable format presents your work history and abilities in the very best possible light. One of the most significant reason is the shortage of pro bable resources. There are many free creative resume templates it is possible to use, enabling you to focus your energy on everything else you should do. Still, it is a good concept to make your resume reflect your perfect work atmosphere. Share your work after youre completely delighted with your design and work, you can share it to the world via your social networking accounts, personal site, or many different different channels you might utilize. ConnectCV is another exact efficient online resume building tool free of charge. Its high-quality PSD file is completely customizable. Envato Elements is a tremendous all-you-can-download alternative, but if you recognize precisely what youre searching for, also look at the GraphicRiver marketplace to select your resume template. The template utilizes an intriguing layout with a lot of fun fonts. It is available in PSD format. What You Should Do to Find Out About Cool Resume Before Youre Left Behind Job aspirants will need to l ook at a resume template in place of a courses vitae template. Your contact info and other information are available easily beside the proper icon. Youll also receive a cover letter page which you can drop a personalized message into. When you format your resume you need to make certain your leave enough margin space to permit for printing. Its fine to use bold, bright, and several colors. An easy design, sure, but it appears amazing. You may easily edit all the panels within the plan. Tremendous number of design style will guarantee you will locate a resume template that fits with your taste. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Cool Resume Finally, the hiring manager may want to measure your successes. Many times, its much better to condense all your experiences into a quick format in order for the hiring manager can quickly review your credentials. You should consider the position youre applying for and revolve around the positions and roles which are mo st closely related to it. Make certain its tailored to not merely the position, but the business also. How to Find Cool Resume Online Well, it is, but only as long as you understand what youre doing. Your resume or CV may be among the most important projects you ever design. Otherwise, you definitely must adhere to a traditional resume. Sometimes you need to do what you could to get noticed. The Hidden Secret of Cool Resume Drop in your education, experience, skills, and contact details to allow it to be simple to get in contact. Make certain that your contact information is clear, prominent, and simple to read. When you have added your details and work experience, it is possible to also save your resume as PDF if you desire. The templates are all available from Behance, one of the greatest places to showcase your creative abilities, and to discover the job of up-and-coming talents.

What You Dont Know About What to Include While Writing a Resume Could Be Costing to More Than You Think

What You Dont Know About What to Include While Writing a Resume Could Be Costing to More Than You Think The Key to Successful What to Include While Writing a Resume If your document doesnt have the important phrases, then the application will probably be rejected. Resumes dont need complete sentences and you ought to avoid employing the very first person (I, me, my). How to Find What to Include While Writing a Resume on the Web If youve read my prior article about MR Spaces then you might have already completed the institution. The majority of the times your prior work experience will be the absolute most significant part the resume, so put it at the top. In case the work post asks for a salary requirement, dont offer a number or just a range. Actually, in regards to first resumes and job applications, the idea ought to be to take care of the process for a learning experience. Top Choices of What to Include While Writing a Resume Therefore, the majority of the cover lette r writers for hire have a tendency to create their introductions as interesting as possible. If you would take pleasure in the new job, you will likely get to earn a superior belief. Writing your first resume may appear to be a daunting job. Using What to Include While Writing a Resume Teaching keywords are important since they immediately project you as the very best candidate for work. There are a lot of basic forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Dont include salary information unless youre specifically asked to achieve that. Analyze job ads You will discover loads of helpful info on job ads. Create a new expert email address when you have a novelty email address While a resume objective tells the reader what you would like to do and why you wish to do it, a summary delivers a fast recap of your career. Frequently, the application instructions for a specific position will state whether or not a CV or resume is requested. You know the fundament als of writing a resume how to format it, the overall order and how much time it needs to be.

Top Skill Based Resume Templates Guide!

Top Skill Based Resume Templates Guide Skill Based Resume Templates Ideas To do this, you will need to explain to new people what can give them confidence you will have the ability to donate to the new team. The aim of your resume is to secure you the interview. Rather than that, you use the name of a particular skill for each heading. The solution is 6 seconds for the very first pass. Thus, learn whether this lesser-known resume style is appropriate for you. 1 Resume is a completely free one page web template that includes a smooth jQuery slide between sections of the webpage. You want to know more about these totally free templates for skill based CV. Using and formatting columns is quite easy. You can also find premium HTML resume templates within this post, which we included to offer you a glance of some of the paid options out there. To begin with, templates have to be comprehensive. behauptung templates also provide multiple customization choices and various layout s for you to pick from. New Ideas Into Skill Based Resume Templates Never Before Revealed The computer software scans each resume, plucking out the appropriate info, and then makes an exceptional applicant file. A free resume template is a kind of basic sample for a resume that a man or woman might want to develop. Licensing Information This one is extremely important and you need to always read the licensing information related to a free resume template. A template will inform you all of the relevant data that you ought to be mentioning in your CV, with particular reference to the sort of position you are trying to get. The summary statement at the very top of your resume is your very first opportunity to earn an excellent impression with the hiring manager. Infographic resumes become more and more common. The skills summary has become the most important portion of writing a functional resume. A specialist summary for your resume ought to be detailed. The Definitive Strat egy for Skill Based Resume Templates Employees arent hired purely on account of their technical abilities and accomplishments. Experience and familiarity with the tasks is likewise an important aspect that employers look into before choosing to employ someone. Frequent skills become ignored. Strong planning abilities and organization are traits which are highly desired in an employee, particularly in the plan world. Your transferable abilities, often called soft abilities, are skills you could apply to any job you might do, no matter the specifics. There are many benefits of listing your work experience by skill category in place of by employer. Perhaps it is education, or period of time on the latest job, or a particular skill collection. There are three kinds of resumes, each with its own benefits and pitfalls. Finding the Best Skill Based Resume Templates Maybe you were lucky to land a great job in a good company that knows the way to look after its employees. As you hav e the talent and experience theyre searching for. Your skills as showcased on your CV has to be relevant to the jobs that youre applying for, you cannot afford to earn your CV generic. A skills based resume is often needed while the job posting asks for lots of particular qualifications that should be listed.A functional resume can make it simpler for potential employers to observe the way you can add value to their organization and might help you get your foot in the door for a work interview. 1 resource readily available to everyone is your regional American Job Center. If youve had a significant number of jobs and you would prefer to spell out the experience youve gained in total. This list of hints and strategies can help you compose a strong resume so its possible to feel confident as you search for jobs as an experienced. Every work applicant knows the way to compose a resume. A resume thats sometimes called a curriculum vitae is important whenever youre looking for emplo yment. Read professional journals connected with the jobs youre applying for. Youd be fooling yourself not to anticipate your prospective hire was coached and is well ready for a normal office interview. A recruiter isnt likely to devote quite a long time going through your resume looking for the info they are interested in about you.

5 Guerrilla Job Search Hacks You Should Be Using

5 Guerrilla Job Search Hacks You Should Be Using5 Guerrilla Job Search Hacks You Should Be UsingHaving a killer resume is great. But how do you go about getting it into a prospective employers hands? You must start a guerrilla job search and get tactical about finding your next job with these five secret weapons that will set you apart from other job seekers.Here are five tips that are key to a guerrilla job search1. Create a digital geschftlicher umgang card.Make your smartphone an essential tool in your guerrilla job search. Use a free app like CamCard to create a digital business card, complete with your photo, that can be quickly and easily shared via text or email. You can also use the app to scan others business cards to save in your contacts. And you can add notes about where you met, what you discussed, and even set a reminder to reconnect.Why this works Only one out of 10 printed business cards ever make it to a decision-makers contact list. Sending your contact information electronically increases the odds that it will be saved and maybe even forwarded.2. Network like a boss.Your network is larger than you think. Make a list of everyone you know and start letting them know youre looking for a new job. Be specific about the kind of job you want. Ask if they know anyone who works for x company or hires people who do what you do. If yes, ask if they would be willing to make an introduction. Expand your network byJoining an association of people who work in your fieldGetting involved (and noticed) by volunteeringSpreading the word in other groups and organizations that you already belong to, especially community and church groups where members naturally want to help other membersGetting active on LinkedIn- join groups there as well and actively participate in discussionsWhy this works More than half of all jobs (55 percent) are found through networking.3. Set up Google alerts. Create alerts with keywords of interest forprospective employers, including inf ormation about their competition and other business news. Set aside time every day to read through the alerts you receive via email. When appropriate, send links to hiring managers and people in your network with a note to say that you came across this in your reading today and thought they might be interested. Just be sure to send information that your recipients will value and dont inundate anyone with too many emails. Youll also want to share links to interesting articles with your online network on LinkedIn and other social media accounts.Why this works Becoming a curator of useful content sets you up as someone whos interested and in the know about current events in your field.4. Keep your search organized with a tracking system.How will you remember what version of your resume you sent, to whom, and when? Or when was your last contact with a hiring manager? Set up an activity log to keep track of important dates, names and titles of contacts within an organization, how you hea rd about the company/job opening, notes about the company, and notes about your vorstellungsgesprch. Your system can be as simple as a folder for each company with all related documents or an electronic folder system. Save to Dropbox or Google Drive so you can access it anytime, anywhere.Why this works Organizing your guerrilla job search details will help keep important information at your fingertips for easy access, planning, and follow-up.5. Send thank-you notes.Keep a stack of notecards, envelopes, and stamps handy to send after an interview or networking opportunity. Youd be surprised at how few people take the time to send a handwritten thank-you card. Also, be sure to thank your references in advance for their help and send notes to congratulate people on job promotions, awards, and achievements. Maya Angelou once wrote, People will forget what you said, theyll forget what you did, but theyll never forget how you made them feel.Why this works Sending handwritten cards is a si mple gesture that can go a long way. Be the person who is remembered for making people feel good.Donna Smallin Kuper, also known as the One-Minute Organizer, is a productivity and organization expert. She writes for eBay about using technology to improve your job search and help you land your dream job. Readers, what tips can you share that worked in your guerrilla job search? Tell us in the comment section below

The Role of an Artist and Repertoire Representative

The Role of an Artist and Repertoire RepresentativeThe Role of an Artist and Repertoire RepresentativeAR stands for bewegungsknstler and repertoire. For record labels, the AR reps are the people who find new artists and sign them to the label. In reality, of course, there may be more than one person involved in the decision to sign a musician or a band to the record label. But in most cases, the AR rep will act as the artists main point of contact with the label- the go-between or intermediary between the artist (or band, of course) and the label. In addition to record labels, music publishers hire AR reps to sign and work with musicians. AR reps also are known as find and sign, although that term is used pretty rarely in the music industry. What the AR Rep Does These days, AR reps may have a variety of roles in the music industry, depending on how their label is run and where they stand in management. Entry-level artist and repertoire people may work to actively scout talent, at tending shows, listening to demo discs, and reading the industry press on new artists. Once they find a band worth considering, they may pass that information onto a higher-up at the label. The AR rep who initially reaches out to the musician will be at the managerial level and may have the power to make a decision about whether or not to sign a new artist (in some organizations, signing approval must come from even higher up the chain of command). As the musicians point of contact at the label during contract negotiations, the artist and repertoire work to negotiate the absprache between the label and the musicians. Artists bring their concerns (potentially through their agents) to the label via the AR rep. After The the Deal Is Signed After musicians pen a contract with a record label, the AR rep generally stays involved in the relationship between the label and the talent. For example, the AR rep will facilitate things like setting up the advance and booking recording session s where required. Any task that needs to be done to get the record ready for release may fall to the AR rep. The AR rep also will play an important role in the development of the artist. The rep will have a voice in how the band will market its albums and will help to build a basic promotional foundation for the album and the band. If the musicians involved dont write their music, the AR rep may suggest songwriters or pair a band with songs or even record producers. The Importance Today Back decades ago, AR reps were critical to discovering and signing new talent, in large part because there was no real way for people outside the music industry to discover new artists on their own. Now, however, its not necessary for musicians to rely on a recording contract with a label- artists can record their music and offer it directly to consumers, bypassing record labels entirely. But that doesnt mean AR is obsolete. AR reps leise play a major role at record labels, and record labels stil l play a major role (albeit one diminished from their heyday) in distributing music. Jobs Opportunities There are three levels of AR at major labels. At the lowest level are theAR scouts. They listen to demos, go to shows and find new artists from their contacts and the press. If the scout finds a band that fits the labels roster, hell pass them to anAR Manager. The AR manager will make the decision on whether to sign an artist and negotiate the deal. Its the managers job to get the rest of the department at the label interested in the artist, presenting them to the PR and promotions people. TheHead of ARwill set the overall policy for the label and may take part in decisions about high-profile or new artists. Unfortunately, as in most areas of themusic industry, the best way to get a paid job is through building up contacts. One of the best ways of building up contacts is by doing unpaid work as an intern. It is especially important because jobs as AR scouts are rarely adverti sed. A typical path to an AR job starts with an unpaid opportunity to work as a scout. At that point, you may get expenses paid, but you wont earn a salary. You now have the opportunitythough not the promiseof moving onto the payroll if a vacancy comes up. Its important to have contact with new artists. To give yourself the best possible option of winning that coveted job. Many AR scoutspromote clubs/band nights, write zines,manage bandsor run small labels. It gives them contacts in the grassroots music industry that the labels are keen to tap into. What Youre Likely to Get Paid Initially, youll be lucky to get expenses. But once word gets out that youre an AR scout, expect your mailbox to fill up with CDs, MP3s and invitations to every local bands night around. If you do manage to get a job at a label, you can expect a decent salary (ranging anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 depending on your employer), but an AR manager is only as good as their last signing. Fail to sign a suc cessful act, and you could soon be looking for a new job. Music Publishers AR scouts are usually associated withrecord labels, butmusic publishersalso have a large AR department. As well as signing artists topublishing deals, theyll also sign songwriters and then work to get those songwriters songs performed. The Pros and Cons Your job is to listen to new music and going to gigs, and you might even get paid to do it You have the thrill of discovering new acts before anyone else you can help shape an artists career. You get to listen to a ton of new music, and if all goes well, it can be a highly lucrative career. While going out every night watching bands sounds great, it can get wearing. It can also be frustrating. You discover a great band, but your manager, head of AR and eventually whoevers hand is on the purse strings will need to be persuaded that theyre not only great but that theyre a sound investment. In short,youll discover you have little freedom to sign the bands you love. AR people can also fall into two camps, viewed by the artist as not providing them with what they need and viewed by the rest of the label as someone who gets up late in the day, listens to lots of music, goes to clubs, spends his time with artists. Do-It-Yourself Of course, if you want total freedom to sign who you want, then you can always set up yourown label- then theres no one looking over your shoulder tell you what you can and cant sign. But youll also have to then look after every other aspect of the label, fromraising financesand organizing distribution to press and marketing. However, if you get it right, you could end up employing scouts of your own.