Rabu, 28 Januari 2015

Job profiles

DJ

  • Hours
    Variable
  • Starting salary
    Variable
DJs play music for audiences at live venues, or entertain radio audiences. If you are interested in music, and you are confident and outgoing, this job could be ideal for you.
In this job you will need to have a good sense of timing. It would help if you are technically-minded, so you can learn to operate the equipment. Sometimes you will need to think on your feet.
To get into this job you will usually need a knowledge of music technology and an awareness of music trends. You will also need to get experience through volunteering or work placements. Courses, in subjects like music technology and radio broadcasting are also available, which could help you develop some of the skills you need.
 

Work activities

As a DJ you may use various formats including vinyl, CD or MP3, and a range of equipment such as turntables, mixers, microphones and amplifiers.
As a club DJ you might:
  • play and mix records in clubs or bars, to create atmosphere or keep people dancing
  • choose music to suit your audience’s taste and the venue’s music policy
  • operate lighting and visual effects in time to the beat
  • create your own sounds by manipulating beats, using samples, adding extra music and sound effects
  • work with an MC who raps or sings over the music.
As a radio DJ or presenter, you would present a radio programme in your own style. You could:
  • choose the music to be played
  • keep up an entertaining and natural flow of chat
  • interact with the audience through phone-ins, emails, texts and social media
  • keep to a very tight timing schedule
  • interview studio guests
  • operate studio equipment to play music, pre-recorded news, jingles and advertisements (known as ‘driving the desk’)
  • discuss ideas with the producer, write scripts and prepare playlists for future shows.
Many music radio DJs also perform live as club DJs.
As a mobile DJ you would provide music and atmosphere at social events such as weddings and parties. You would take your own equipment and music to each venue you played at.

Working hours and conditions

You would often work varied or unsocial hours. As a mobile or club DJ you would work mainly in the evenings and at weekends, often until the early hours of the morning.
In radio, hours depend on when your programme is on-air, whether it is live or pre-recorded, and the amount of off-air preparation you do.
As a mobile DJ you would mainly work in pubs, hotels and halls, and as a club DJ you would work in bars and nightclubs which can be hot and noisy. Radio work is mainly in small air-conditioned studios.

Income

Most DJs are self-employed and work on a freelance basis, so salaries will vary widely.
When you first start out and are beginning to build up your reputation pay may be low. Some DJs work for free to gain experience.
With some experience you could earn around £200 to £300 per session.
Successful, well known DJs who have built up experience and a good reputation, may earn £1,000 a session or more.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

There is no set entry route to become a DJ. As well as a love of music you will need to build up knowledge of music technology and what the current music trends are. You’ll also need to start building your collection of music and equipment. You will also need to develop your own style as a DJ, based on your personality.
To get club DJ work you will need to keep developing your technique by getting practical experience of using decks, mixers and sampling equipment. You may wish to complete a course and learn new skills. Local colleges and community recording projects offer short courses in DJ skills and there are also or full-time or part-time courses in sound and music technology.
Getting experience will help you to develop your skills and start to make contacts in the industry. It will also show employers that you have enthusiasm and a commitment to working as a DJ. Building your contacts in the industry can also be a way of meeting people that may help you get work. Ways of getting experience include:
  • working on student, community or hospital radio stations
  • volunteering to DJ at events like weddings, parties and charity shows
  • getting work as a DJ on an internet radio station
  • volunteering to work as a roadie for an experienced DJ
  • posting mixes to online video and music streaming sites to get noticed.
Visit the Community Media Association website for information about local radio stations and the Hospital Broadcasting Association to look for hospital radio stations near to you.
You can find work experience placements through the BBC Work Experience Scheme, RadioCentre (for commercial radio), or by contacting broadcasters ‘cold’ to ask for opportunities. The RadioCentre website can help you search for commercial radio stations.
Some large retail chain stores may have their own radio stations.
For radio work, you may find it helpful to take a course in radio or media production. This is not essential, but the most useful courses help you to develop practical skills and may include work placements. Courses are available full-time and part-time at local colleges, and community radio stations may also offer training and qualifications.
Recording a demo CD or MP3 and having an online presence, on sites like YouTube and Soundcloud, will help you to promote yourself. You can also use these methods to approach radio stations or clubs, bars and promoters for work. If you try this, you should do your research, and make sure that your demo fits in with the venue’s music policy or the type of music on the station’s playlist.
You can find more information about careers in music on the Get Into Music website.

Training and development

You would learn mainly on the job as you gain experience.
As a club DJ, you could develop your skills by taking short courses in music and sound technology, or specific DJing and digital editing software at colleges and private DJ training schools. For example, Traktor Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic Pro and Wavelab.
In radio, you may receive in-house training in using some of the technical equipment such as recording desks when you start your job. You may also find it useful to take part in the networking opportunities and events organised by the Radio Academy and RadioCentre.
You could join a professional organisation like the National Association of Disc Jockeys. Membership benefits include insurance, educational seminars and conferences, and networking opportunities.

Skills, interests and qualities

To be a DJ, you would need to have:
  • a keen interest in and enthusiasm for music
  • a confident and outgoing personality
  • a good sense of timing and co-ordination
  • some understanding of technical equipment
  • the ability to ad-lib and 'think on your feet'
  • calmness under pressure
  • the ability to work to strict deadlines
  • the ability to do several tasks at the same time
  • the skills to manage your own business and promote yourself, if you are self-employed.

More information

Creative Skillset (Opens new window)
www.creativeskillset.orgCreative Skillset (Opens new window) (Young creative talent)
www.creativeskillset.org/careersRadioCentre (Opens new window)
Tel: 020 7010 0600
www.radiocentre.org
Radio Academy (Opens new window)
Tel: 020 3174 1180
www.radioacademy.org
National Association of Disc Jockeys (Opens new window)
Tel: 0800 468 1363
www.nadj.org.uk
Get Into Music (Opens new window)
www.getintomusic.org
Creative & Cultural Skills (Opens new window)
www.ccskills.org.uk
Creative Choices (Opens new window)
www.creative-choices.co.uk
 

Opportunities

As a club or mobile DJ you would normally be self-employed and work on a part-time or casual basis (although top DJs may work several sessions at different venues in one weekend). In radio, you would be employed by radio stations on fixed-term contracts.
You would find club DJ work by approaching bars and clubs directly and through contacts and agents. Some radio jobs are advertised in the local and national press and industry websites, but many are filled through word of mouth or by agents.
Competition for all DJ work is strong and success depends on your reputation and ability to network.
As a successful club DJ, you could move into music producing and recording, club promoting, working for a record label or starting your own label. As an established radio DJ you could get involved in other types of media work such as TV presenting.
You may find the following links useful for more advice on DJ skills and breaking into the music business:

Job market information

This section gives you an overview of the job area that this profile belongs to. You can use it to work out your next career move. It can help if you’re looking for a job now or want to do some further training.
The 'Market statistics' charts are based on figures from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The list of job vacancies under 'Apply for jobs' is from the Universal Jobmatch database. The vacancies are not from the National Careers Service.
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