Friday, July 16, 2004
WELL, IT'S OFFICIAL
This is the longest stint I have had involuntarily unemployed. Today is my two-week anniversary...I'm starting to get a little nervous. The only other time I was released of my duties, I secured a job rather quickly...mostly because it was early in my career and I would have taken anything at that point...and did. I was fired on a Friday back in 1992, applied on a Monday, interviewed on a Wednesday, and hired to start the following Monday. So, as you can imagine, this is a new experience for me. One of the difficulties in this business is deciding where you want to go and what you want to do. Since I limit myself to Talk Radio, and specifically a similar market size, you can see how difficult it can be.
One of the most nerve-wracking things is sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. My wife and I are at the point that we're actually disappointed when the phone rings and it's a friend or relative. Every time it rings, we have that look - "This might be it" - and make sure it rings at least twice before we pick up. We don't want to seem too eager...ha ha.
I'm just waiting for that ONE call...because I know that once I get a call from someone expressing interest, the ball is in my court...and I'm a pretty good interviewee. I only want to win in this business...and help my employer make a lot of money (because I'll get a cut eventually). Right now, I'm relying on a lot of intangibles...
The Resume - is it brief enough but inclusive? Does it give someone an idea of what I've done? Should I have made it 5-pages like I could have instead of ONE?
The Philosophy - I tried to think of everything that I could that would be of interest to a prospective employer...my Programming Philosophy...how to do things to be successful and some of the tips and tricks I learned in my previous 15-years in this crazy business. One of the scary things is a prospective Program Director looking at that for a talk host opening...and feeling a little threatened..."Is this guy gunning for MY job? Can he work FOR me?"...PD's are very protective of their jobs and somewhat insecure...I was. Apparently not enough, though.
The Demo - Again, I go back to what I said in a previous post: How in the world do you compress 2-years of what I would consider outstanding moments, into 6-minutes of audio? I've done a lot of things where the tape machine wasn't rolling...and some of what I did have, I don't have access to anymore after I left the building. The April Fools jokes (which were spectacular), the spontaneous brilliance, and the planned and organized things that were really good. I try to explain to everyone I send it to that it's only a SAMPLE of what I'm capable of...that's the reason for wanting that opportunity to talk to someone in person or over the phone...because once they do, I can sell the rest of the 92,034-minutes of airtime over the last two years of shows.
One other question, if a job posting says "NO CALLS"...how long should I wait before I ignore that order and call THEM? Or does it mean they won't call me?
Applications to: Infinity Broadcasting has a nice searchable website...after narrowing it down from the 180-stations they own to the few News/Talkers...I found ONE job opening in San Antonio, TX. A good market...hope they call.
One other note - There will be a somewhat different look to the blog coming soon...there are some changes in font capability, easier links, images, even audio and more...so if it looks a little weird, be patient...
This is the longest stint I have had involuntarily unemployed. Today is my two-week anniversary...I'm starting to get a little nervous. The only other time I was released of my duties, I secured a job rather quickly...mostly because it was early in my career and I would have taken anything at that point...and did. I was fired on a Friday back in 1992, applied on a Monday, interviewed on a Wednesday, and hired to start the following Monday. So, as you can imagine, this is a new experience for me. One of the difficulties in this business is deciding where you want to go and what you want to do. Since I limit myself to Talk Radio, and specifically a similar market size, you can see how difficult it can be.
One of the most nerve-wracking things is sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. My wife and I are at the point that we're actually disappointed when the phone rings and it's a friend or relative. Every time it rings, we have that look - "This might be it" - and make sure it rings at least twice before we pick up. We don't want to seem too eager...ha ha.
I'm just waiting for that ONE call...because I know that once I get a call from someone expressing interest, the ball is in my court...and I'm a pretty good interviewee. I only want to win in this business...and help my employer make a lot of money (because I'll get a cut eventually). Right now, I'm relying on a lot of intangibles...
The Resume - is it brief enough but inclusive? Does it give someone an idea of what I've done? Should I have made it 5-pages like I could have instead of ONE?
The Philosophy - I tried to think of everything that I could that would be of interest to a prospective employer...my Programming Philosophy...how to do things to be successful and some of the tips and tricks I learned in my previous 15-years in this crazy business. One of the scary things is a prospective Program Director looking at that for a talk host opening...and feeling a little threatened..."Is this guy gunning for MY job? Can he work FOR me?"...PD's are very protective of their jobs and somewhat insecure...I was. Apparently not enough, though.
The Demo - Again, I go back to what I said in a previous post: How in the world do you compress 2-years of what I would consider outstanding moments, into 6-minutes of audio? I've done a lot of things where the tape machine wasn't rolling...and some of what I did have, I don't have access to anymore after I left the building. The April Fools jokes (which were spectacular), the spontaneous brilliance, and the planned and organized things that were really good. I try to explain to everyone I send it to that it's only a SAMPLE of what I'm capable of...that's the reason for wanting that opportunity to talk to someone in person or over the phone...because once they do, I can sell the rest of the 92,034-minutes of airtime over the last two years of shows.
One other question, if a job posting says "NO CALLS"...how long should I wait before I ignore that order and call THEM? Or does it mean they won't call me?
Applications to: Infinity Broadcasting has a nice searchable website...after narrowing it down from the 180-stations they own to the few News/Talkers...I found ONE job opening in San Antonio, TX. A good market...hope they call.
One other note - There will be a somewhat different look to the blog coming soon...there are some changes in font capability, easier links, images, even audio and more...so if it looks a little weird, be patient...
Comments:
<< Home
Hey Greg,
I go on vacation for a couple of weeks and all hell broke loose in Charleston. I come back, tune in the radio and your not there. Now I hear the Jerry Sienfeld of talk radio.....a show totaly about nothing. I want to hear local and national issues, not general stuff. I will be switching the station to WTMS after Rush. I tried giving this "Murphy" a listen and I just can't get into it. I am a talk radio junky (as well as a FOX news junky). Let us know where you end up Greg. I wish you and your family all the best and are sure you will land something soon.
Best if luck,
Eli
Summerville
I go on vacation for a couple of weeks and all hell broke loose in Charleston. I come back, tune in the radio and your not there. Now I hear the Jerry Sienfeld of talk radio.....a show totaly about nothing. I want to hear local and national issues, not general stuff. I will be switching the station to WTMS after Rush. I tried giving this "Murphy" a listen and I just can't get into it. I am a talk radio junky (as well as a FOX news junky). Let us know where you end up Greg. I wish you and your family all the best and are sure you will land something soon.
Best if luck,
Eli
Summerville
I am not too savy at this blogger stuff, but here it goes. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am your show has been replaced. I don't have much time to keep up with local and world news. Your show was it every day for me. You also kept me in stiches laughing at some of your crazy listeners calling in. Malcolm and Crazy Steve were at the top of the list. The words, "cutting edge" and "progressive" are how I would discribe you and your show. The replacement host WSC chose is without depth and lacks one ounce of humor (eventhough he says he used to do stand-up comedy). He does not keep me informed about anything other than what Comedy Central and the Discovery Channel have to offer. I do not care about the Charleston River Dogs updates or what this poor schlep wears when he rides his Harley. I am sorry the station is turning PC and allowing "Powder Puff" talk on during such an important time slot. I think two weeks is enough time to give this looser a chance. I will have to listen to cable news to glean some information about what is going on around me. I will not be listening to the new guy...he is just that drab compared to your flare. I wish you luck in the next job and hope the next employer knows what a gem they have working for them.----Joanne B.
I just wrote my letter to Paul Smith, blasting him for his Post & Courier comment that called Greg Alan's political talk "dark and serious". I also told sarcastically congradulated him for WSC "pulling a Spain" and catering to those squeaky anticapitalist wheels that make of the "noisy minority".
Post a Comment
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
