A sweaty but polite shaking of hands (Image by Aidan Jones)

Our parents had to typewrite, if not handwrite, their resumes. We “mail” them off with the click of a button. Technology, always further expediting the way in which we communicate, has pleasantly made the tedious affair of applying for jobs a bit less like a job in itself. But, as a result of its digitalization, the job application process has also become deceivingly effortless, and one of the most important steps to seeking employment—the cover letter—seems to have become a lost art.

You might have asked yourself: Why take the time to explain to an employer who you are, what you’ve done, and what you’re capable of, when they can view all this information on your profile page? And you might have asked yourself later why you did not get the job. In the modern world, there may not be a practical reason for God-bless-yous,  but we still like them. Let there be no doubt about it: Employers still like cover letters.

Take for instance, the handshake. Nowadays you might be at a loss looking for reasons as to why, time after time, we automatically offer our hands to one another at business meetings, parties, and family reunions. There actually hasn’t been a practical reason for it for centuries (for ancient Greeks it was a way of showing others that you weren’t brandishing a weapon). But even if the handshake has lost this primitive functionality, this sweaty union of hands is a small but essential part of forming a relationship. It is a telling gesture to offer your vulnerable palm to a stranger and say, “Nice to meet you,” if not, “I come in peace and I’m not concealing a dagger.”

The seemingly meaningless ritual of the handshake is often the first impression we make on one another, and it’s a lasting one. Whether it be too firm, too weak, or even a little moist, your handshake is an indicator of who you are, and the standard by which those you meet will, in varying degrees, judge you.

In the jobs world, your cover letter is your handshake.

Applying for a position without writing a thoughtful cover letter is like asking someone to let you move into their house before even shaking their hand. It may seem like an outdated practice, inherited from the days of paper, ink, and envelopes, but it is still an essential way of connecting with your potential employer, and it can make or break your chances of getting the job.

For tips on how to apply your next handshake, check out this helpful how-to on myfuture.com.

In the modern era of job search, there are many ways to improve your chances of finding that dream career. Whether you are a singer or a DJ looking for a big break, an engineer wanting to broadcast your expertise, or even a teacher looking for more students or a full-time position, here are several ideas using video that you can implement to aid your job search.

Uploading videos of yourself may seem pointless or egotistical at first, but for performing and recording artists, online video has become a huge tool in promotion. Whether you use Youtube, Vimeo, Google Video or any other number of websites, you can gain important exposure and raise awareness of your talents. It is also great to have so much interactive content built into your resume – think of it as your greatest hits in showreel.

Recording a video resume for other music careers can also add depth and character, and increase your appeal next to simply a printed list.

If looking to prove your knowledge or share your service in a certain field of music, it is important to not record one long commercial for yourself – adding interesting and topical content will help reach out to new people looking for genuine advice and expertise. For example, if you are looking to move into music equipment sales, share your reviews on any products or software that you or your friends may have.

If you’re not keen on your face on camera, but still want to chase that dream music job researching and developing new software, you can use screen capturing tools and record your knowledge and experience.

You don’t have to be an editing genius or have expensive equipment to dive into video either; if you can’t record the piece in one take, the iMovie software bundle into every Macbook is a great free tool, and you’ll probably find that an inexpensive, out of the box digital camera that you already own can capture video good enough to share online.

Even right here at Music Jobs, we offer a place to upload video content of yourself on your profile, be that a resume, performance, or any kind of variation of the above. For example, I have uploaded video to my DJ resume of a recent gig in Chicago…

I also recently started recording interviews with artists and independent music professionals, to help share advice on various blogs….

There are many ways to use online video to help in your job search. Get creative, and get sharing!

by Lee Jarvis.

Tammy Romaniuk of Media Match and Tara Duffy of US Music Jobs were invited to be guests for episode 92 of AudioNowcast, first broadcast on 27th September 2010. AudioNowcast is a regular podcast of audio professionals talking about the industry.

Topics included: the rundown on their respective websites; if Craigslist is any good for finding jobs (spoiler: Rob doesn’t think so); why independent movies are great for people looking to go in different directions; how to interview; why its important to have good hygiene (seriously); and so much more! Listen below.

The AudioNowcast panel also discussed what room correction devices are and what the panel think of them, they answer some questions on the good old NS-10′s, Rob talks about how awesomely bad his Auratones are, and monitors, monitors everywhere! You can hear the rest of the talk here.

If you have any further questions as to what we do, or how you can improve your chances of success with employers, please ask away in the comments below.

by Lee Jarvis.

We’re giving away a 16GB iPad exclusively through Facebook!

We’ll also be giving away additional US Music Jobs annual subscriptions to four lucky runners up. To be eligible to win, all you need to do is register for free as a member of US Music Jobs first. **No purchase necessary, and no credit card information is taken.** Then, to receive the exclusive link that will allow you to enter the contest, simply head to our US Music Jobs Facebook Page and click “Like”.

Once you’ve “Liked” us, we’ll be sending out an exclusive update* via Facebook on Tuesday, July 27th. In the update you’ll find the link to enter yourself to win a 16GB iPad and an annual subscription to US Music Jobs.

If you’ve already “Liked” our US Music Jobs Facebook Page, you’re all set, and now just keep an eye out for our exclusive update* on Facebook.

Thanks again and we look forward to rewarding you!

* Updates can be located within your Facebook message center in the lefthand column, or you can visit this link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=updates

Full Terms & Conditions

1. ABOUT THE CONTEST/ELIGIBILITY: The Contest begins at 12:00:00 am on July 27th, 2010 and ends at 11:59:59 pm on August 3rd, 2010. The contest is only open to citizens of the United States of America. For participants below the age of 18 at the time of entry, it is acknowledged that the child has participated with full parental consent. Employees and partners of Media Match Inc., its affiliates, subsidiaries, and any entity involved in the development, production, implementation, administration or fulfillment of the contest and the immediate family members and persons living in the same household as such individuals, are not eligible to participate or win.

2. HOW TO ENTER: To enter, register on the Contest website. Entries should not contain profanity or inappropriate language or content. Inappropriate entries will be disqualified by Media Match Inc. in its sole discretion. One entry per person during the contest period. No purchase necessary, and no credit card information is taken.

3. WINNER SELECTION: Winner selection will be conducted on August 4th, and will be completely random. Of all entrants to the contest, the first four randomly selected participants will receive a one year subscription to Music Jobs USA free of charge. The fifth and final randomly selected participant will receive an Apple iPad – 16GB, and a one year subscription to Music Jobs USA free of charge. The decision of the participants selected will be final and binding.

4. WINNERS LIST: The names of the winners will be announced on the Music Jobs USA website (us.music-jobs.com) after the contest is over for a period of time determined by Media Match Inc. The Participant grants Media Match Inc. irrevocable consent in perpetuity to the use his/her name, photographs, provided by the Participants or taken during the Prize distribution in connection with the Contest, in any and all applications including but not limited to advertising, promotion, text, articles, at any time without the Participants further knowledge or consent. If Media Match Inc. is unable to contact a winner (after having taken reasonable measures) within 15 days after the close of the contest, the organizers will declare another winner.

5. PRIZES: All prizes will be handed out after the contest period ends. Reporting and payment of all applicable taxes, fees, and/or surcharges are the sole responsibility of each winner. Media Match Inc. will not replace any lost or stolen prize. Media Match Inc. reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value at its sole discretion. Any difference between the actual value of a prize and the approximated prize value as stated in these rules will not be awarded. Media Match Inc. shall not be responsible for the quality or deficiency etc. of the Prize and no claim or request, whatsoever, in this respect shall be entertained by Media Match Inc. The Prize(s) shall not be transferable / redeemable for cash. No request shall be entertained by Media Match Inc. in this behalf.

6. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: By entering, participants release and hold harmless Media Match Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and partners from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage arising from or in connection with participation in this promotion or acceptance/use of any prize. Participation in this contest implies acceptance of all the terms and conditions of the contest. The Participant grants Media Match Inc. irrevocable consent in perpetuity to use all submitted content in any form or manner.

7. GENERAL: This contest is governed by the laws of the United States of America. All disputes in respect of this Contest shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court/s in Los Angeles, CA. Media Match Inc. reserves the right to suspend, cancel, or modify this promotion if fraud or any other causes beyond its control destroys the integrity of the promotion, as determined by Media Match Inc.

This contest is organized and managed by Media Match Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90048.

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So, make sure you are a US Music Jobs member, become a fan on Facebook, and look out for the exclusive update via Facebook. Good Luck!

The US Music Jobs Team

We here at US Music Jobs wanted to give you some simple tips on getting the most out of Music Jobs and your job search.

1. Be Proactive
That includes searching the jobs board on a regular basis, and not solely relying on the job alerts.

2. Use the Resources You’ve Been Provided With
For example, clicking on the “instant update” button often, puts you at the top of the list as employers search our resume database.

3. Proofread Carefully
Review your details and make sure that you don’t have spelling or grammatical errors.

4. Write an Original Cover Letter… and yes one should be submitted with every application
Tailor each cover letter specifically for each job. If you can’t take the time to do that for an employer, why should they be interested in you?

5. Complete Your Music Jobs Profile and Online Resume
If you’ve only uploaded a Word document of your resume, when an employer links back to your page – there won’t be any additional information. Check out the progress bar for hints.

6. Apply to Jobs That You’re Qualified For
You may not be getting the responses you’re looking for. Make sure that when you apply for a job that you fit the criteria.

Log into your account now and take the next step in getting noticed!

Best wishes,

The Music Jobs Team.

We here at US Music Jobs wanted to address the mysterious cover letter and how to make it work for you.

A cover letter serves as your first introduction to an employer. How do you want to shape their first impression? Yes your resume needs to be impressive, but what if your cover letter isn’t doing you justice, and the employer never even gets to your resume? That’s the first hurdle – getting an employer to notice you.

Keep it short
You don’t want to run on for pages; a paragraph or two will go a long way. Highlight your career objectives, what attributes you bring to the table, and how your work history will help you achieve their goals. Let it be a reflection of you and your abilities and demonstrate why you’re the optimum candidate for them. It’s all about making you stand out amongst the crowd.

Language
Be sure there are no typos or grammatical errors, and use complete sentences with correct punctuation. If you don’t put time into presentation of yourself – why should an employer bother to pay attention? Don’t forget to proofread!

Stay professional
There’s a fine line between being professional and overly casual, so tread carefully. Use correct vocabulary and structure to achieve a serious yet friendly tone – this is not an email to a buddy! See the below examples of introductions, and think about who the employer would consider hiring:

a) I am submitting my resume for consideration of the Marketing Manager vacancy. My experience working in a fast-paced office, combined with my marketing experience, make me an ideal candidate for this position. For the last two years, I have held a Marketing Assistant position where my organizational skills and marketing ideas have vastly improved my current company’s growth and clientele. As my resume reflects, I am a strong and flexible team player who can liaise and coordinate time sensitive publicity campaigns on an international level as well as create new and different strategies to reach our target market.

b) HI. Just read the Ad on music jobs usa. I’m the right person for this job. I have lots of studio experience mixing any type of music + worked for a post production company 6 years.I hold a BA in engineering Contact me as soon as possible.

We want you to get the most out of US Music Jobs and we hope that you’ve found this advice helpful.

Log into your account now to take the next step in enhancing your results.

Good Luck!

The Music Jobs Team

We here at US Music Jobs wanted to address a few pitfalls that every job seeker falls into from time to time in their job hunt, as well as how to correct these missteps. We want YOU to get the most out of US Music Jobs. This post deals with…

Proofreading
So many people skip this essential part of the application process. When was the last time you re-read and updated your resume details, especially your cover letter?

There are many grammatical and spelling errors that occur when submitting a job application that a spellchecker does not pick up. For example, most commonly misused are the trio of their, there, and they’re. Another word that often trips people up through speedy typing is from, which usually becomes form.

Your job hunt will most definitely be cut short by an employer if your cover letter, essentially your first introduction, includes errors. These errors often occur from intelligent professionals who are simply not carefully proofreading. You’re invested in your job hunt and your career, and that’s how you should portray yourself to an employer as well.

In order to make sure your application isn’t disregarded due to a simple error, don’t rely on spell-check to do the work for you. Like everything else, job hunting takes time and patience, as well as being detail oriented. Before submitting your cover letter and application for a job, be sure to double check and thoroughly proofread, not skim, your cover letter. It’s always best to check that the content flows cohesively, in addition to checking for typos and language errors.

As you create your cover letter, also keep the following in mind: Keep it simple, be clear and concise.

Following this approach ensures that you are putting your best foot forward. As an employer reviews your materials, your qualifications and experience will stand out, not your (minimal) attention to detail.

Log into your account now to take the next step in enhancing your results.

Good luck in the job hunt!

The Music Jobs Team

We at US Music Jobs are excited to reintroduce our blog promotion. If you are an unpaid registered member of Music Jobs and own a blog or website, you can get one month of paid membership for FREE. Don’t have an account yet? Sign up, and get your profile running for free, here!

How does it work?

If you are a registered US Music Jobs member and you have a personal blog or website, this will be quite easy for you. Simply write in your blog about US Music Jobs and include a link to our site. A couple of possible blog post ideas include a short or detailed description of the site, how Music Jobs has helped you in your job hunt, an informative wiki-like profile of our site, or you can write a review about US Music Jobs.

If you don’t have a blog yet, there are plenty of free blog providers that you can join, including Blogger, WordPress, TypePad, LiveJournal, and many more.

Have a website, but no blog? No problem! Just write about us on one of your pages, refer people back to us, and link back to our site.

You can link to the US Music Jobs Homepage (us.music-jobs.com) , but it may be more useful for your readers if you linked to the jobs board page at http://us.music-jobs.com/jobsboard.php. But, if you feel we have a page on our site more relevant to your readers, feel free to link back to that page instead (ie, the “About Us page“). (Remember, the link has to be clickable. To do this on most blogging platforms, highlight the text you want to make a link, click the icon that looks like a globe with a chain link in front of it, then press OK or DONE).

Once you have your blog post up, send us the following to usmj_promo@music-jobs.com:

1. Your Name and US Music Jobs username (click here to sign up for free)
2. Your website or blog’s URL with the posting about US Music Jobs

Also, if you know any artists or anyone in the music industry that is not with Music Jobs currently, why not tell them about this promotion? It’s a great opportunity for non members to try out our service at no cost. Just have them sign up for a free account at the freelancer registration page to get started!

This promotion will last from today, February 8, 2010 until , March 6, 2010. Members who qualify for the free one month’s subscription will be contacted by email.

Thanks, everyone!
US Music Jobs

Conditions and terms: URLs and links to US Music Jobs must be clickable. Links with the “no-follow” tag in the HTML are not considered eligible for the promotion. Please allow up to three business days for approval. Link and info must be posted outside of US Music Jobs. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other sites that use “no-folow” and framed browsing do not qualify. Only one free month subscription per member. Free month contingent on Music Jobs’s link presence for a minimum of 1 month on members’ blog/website. Please note that a new law requires you to disclose the fact that you are receiving something in return for a review on a blog (just mention that you are receiving a free month for your post).

As well as from appearing on your profile, recently added mp3s are also featured on our front page and all the key US Music Jobs site pages – if you contribute regularly you are more likely to attract attention and earn new fans.

The members I have featured below are all fine examples of the value of keeping your profile up to date – adding mp3s, photos, videos, press cuttings and more will make your profile easy to search and attractive to other users and employers to read. Regularly adding info and media means that I am more likely to find you in our network – next time it could be your music shared here and across the US Music Jobs online profiles!

US Music Jobs member: Silvia Pratesi

Recommended Listening: You can do the impossible (Musical Theatre)
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US Music Jobs member: John Runowicz

Recommended Listening: Running From The Blues (Blues)
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US Music Jobs member: Lucy Blanco

Recommended Listening: Bye Bye Blackbird (Jazz)
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US Music Jobs member: Gene Townsel

Recommended Listening: Chrissy/From Album (Pop)
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US Music Jobs member: Paul Mills

Recommended Listening: The Painter (Contemporary)
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US Music Jobs member: Daniel Tortoledo

Recommended Listening: Throughout These Years (Pop)
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US Music Jobs member: Ulysses Salett

Recommended Listening: Come on Home (Contemporary)
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US Music Jobs member: Kremena Lyutskanova

Recommended Listening: Beauty Girl (Classical)
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If you would like to be featured in future US Music Jobs blog posts, then update your profile regularly and leave a message on my profile wall (another feature that you should use for networking – look out for a future blog post!)

Lee Jarvis.