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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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